Staying active is a priority for Donna Air, who makes sure to fit movement around her work and travel commitments. But rather than following a rigid training plan, her approach is all about variety and finding forms of exercise she actually enjoys.
‘My exercise routine is quite varied, and I try not to make it feel like a chore,’ the actor and producer tells WH.
‘For me, it’s about keeping moving and having a mixture of cardio, strength, stretching and being outdoors,’ she says. ‘I don’t want exercise to take over my life – I just want to feel strong, fit and energised.’
Donna Air’s weekly fitness routine
Air typically fits in five to six sessions a week, combining cardio, strength, yoga and plenty of time outdoors.
‘Three times a week I do a 60–75-minute workout where I combine a run, some cycling and then around eight minutes on the SkiErg,’ she explains. ‘I like finishing with the SkiErg because it gives me a really good burst of cardio and upper-body work.’
Getting outside is also an important part of her routine.
‘I usually do a couple of 90-minute uphill walks or hikes,’ she continues. ‘I love being outdoors, so the walks are as much about getting out into nature as they are about exercise.’
Donna Air
Rounding out her week is a 60-minute hot yoga class: ‘I love it for stretching, mobility and strength.’
And she isn’t afraid to mix things up. During a recent trip to California, Air attended her first Barry’s class.
‘Lost all dignity on the floor series, but gave the West Hollywood boys a run for their money when we hit the bikes,’ she wrote on Instagram.
Recovery is also a priority
Air balances all that activity with plenty of recovery – and she’s particularly fond of heat and cold therapy.
‘I probably do a few rounds in the sauna, going in and out and alternating hot and cold, for around 30–40 minutes every other day,’ she reveals. ‘I find it incredibly relaxing and it’s become a real part of my routine.’
Her weekends also combine movement with time to unwind.
‘I like to have a relaxing morning and go for a long walk or run,’ she previously told The Guardian.
‘I also like a hot banya sauna where you’re beaten with leaves. It’s the lazy girls’ guide to getting fit, because it’s like having a massage, facial, and running a marathon all in one.’
One of our most frequently asked questions here at Women’s Health? How to build muscle and burn fat at the same time. So, we asked superstar trainer Oyinda Okunowo exactly how to do it. In this 4-week plan – created exclusively for Women’s Health COLLECTIVE members – you’ll get the workouts and nutrition guidance needed to help you on your way to better body composition. Tap the link below to unlock 14 days of free access to Oyinda’s plan and start training today.
