One of this year’s hottest holiday trends involves getting active and working up a sweat together, hiking, swimming – even running. Mum of two Hannah Britt had a go, with surprising results
Family fitness is booming. From parent-child exercise classes to intergenerational parkruns and more, it’s never been more popular to work out with your kids. And it’s a trend experts have welcomed. Personal trainer Glyn Forshaw tells me: “Instilling healthy habits like exercise from a young age can only be a good thing in our increasingly sedentary society. Plus, feelgood endorphins are a wellness wonder the whole family can benefit from.”
“And this year Google trends are showing we’re taking things to the next level – enter family fitness holidays.” As a former runner itching to get back to some semblance of movement, I knew I had to give it a go. A health boost, check. A mental health boost, double check. Could it be the wellness hack we’d all been missing?
Roping in my (admittedly slightly unwilling) partner and two children, we jetted to the home of family fitness – Switzerland. Interlaken to be exact, which, as the name suggests, sits between two beautiful lakes (Brienz and Thun), amid many of the country’s most climbable mountains.
As we arrive there are hikers galore, and paragliders gently float down from the peaks above. Unpacking our bags at the Hey Hotel in Interlaken, there was a collective groan from John, 42, and Molly, five, as I lined up walking boots, backpacks and snacks ready for our first expedition.
There’s a rule in Switzerland – where there’s a mountain there’s a trail. And many are incredibly family-friendly. Many feature a funicular railway, too, which will bring you back down to the ground if the trek up tires you out. Strapping my one-year-old, Poppy, into her carrier, and coaxing Molly out with the promise of sweeties, we set out to our closest mountain trail, heading up to Harder Kulm, or The Top of Interlaken. A two-hour family hike. What could possibly go wrong?
This is going to be great I thought, 10 steps up. Bring it on, I mused after 25. But 250 steps into our ascent, bathed in sweat and already out of sweets, I changed my mind. I’d rather be at an all-inclusive, I grumbled. We walked back down, got the funicular up to the top, ate some truffle-laced fondue, and shaking off our defeat decided to try again in the morning.
“Start small,” Glyn advises. “Even a short walk together is beneficial for mental and physical health.” So the next day, that’s exactly what we did. Wandering part way around Lake Brienz, slowly and steadily, it wasn’t a long walk but a lovely one. As we stopped for a picnic, everyone was in a good mood. There wasn’t a screen in sight, endorphins were flowing, and we were all happy being in each other’s company. The all-inclusive can wait. For now. Perhaps a family fitness holiday is for us after all.
GETTING THERE
Flights from the UK to Zurich, Switzerland, with SWISS, start from £76 one way, including taxes, fees, surcharges, checked luggage and hand luggage.
WHERE TO STAY
*Double rooms at the Hey Hotel start at £165 per night, including breakfast.