Staying active in Turkey

By. Justin Mays

Turkish athletes and sports programs have been dominating sports headlines recently with accomplishments throughout Europe. Basketball Team Anadolu Efes beat Barcelona to win the 2021 Turkish Airlines sponsored Euroleague title. It was the first time since 2017, and only the second time a Turkish team has been crowned Euroleague champions. A young talented football team are participating in Euro 2020 after missing the 2018 World Cup while Turkish gymnastics are also having a moment. Ayse Begum Onbasi won a gold medal in the individual women’s final at the Aerobic Gymnastics World Championships in Baku, a historic first for Turkey while Ferhat Arican became the 2021 European champion in the parallel-bars competition in Basel. Athleticism and access to sports has become more of a priority in Turkey so while you may not become the next European champion there is plenty to do to stay your fittest.

 If accessibility to sport is a priority when you buy a house in Turkey many newer Turkish housing developments have in house fitness centers and pools with some larger ones even having tennis and basketball courts. Aydat is the monthly fee that all residents contribute for the monthly upkeep but the convenience cannot be beat. For those living in Istanbul most areas along the Bosphorus have wide promenades for runners, bikers and walkers. If you feel more like a hike the city parks or Belgrade Forest will offer a greener space with steeper inclines in Istanbul. Many cities have even built outdoor gyms in public spaces.  Personal trainers, yoga, horseback riding, tennis and other group workouts are available all over in many cities and finding a gym will always be possible although the highest concentrations will be in larger cities or popular summer areas. Gym quality ranges from the simple weights for lifting to state-of-the-art gyms. 

With the access to water and excellent weather well into autumn down in places like Kas and Fethiye, sailing and swimming are popular activities that you can do during the majority of the year. Opportunities also abound for trekking and hiking mountains or skiing and snowboarding in the winter. If you are moving here with your family, there are private sports clubs and classes for children to play at their favorite sports. Many private schools also offer rich after-school athletic programs.  If they decide to play the most popular sports in Turkey, they may become the next famous football or basketball player!