World’s Greatest Female Pole-Vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva Shares Her Fitness Journey

Yelena Isinbayeva is a Russian former pole vaulter. She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist (2004 and 2008), a seven-time World Champion, the current world record holder in the event, and is widely considered the greatest female pole-vaulter of all time.

Isinbayeva was named Female Athlete of the Year by the IAAF in 2004, 2005 and 2008, and World Sportswoman of the Year by Laureus in 2007 and 2009. She was given the Prince of Asturias Award for Sports in 2009. She is one of only nine athletes to win world championships at the youth, junior, and senior level of an athletic event.

Namita Nayyar, President Women Fitness catches up with Yelena Isinbayeva on fitness, Olympics and motivational tips.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

You are a two-time Olympic gold medalist, a seven-time World Champion and are considered the greatest female pole-vaulter of all time. Walk us through your incredible journey and tell us how it all began?

Ms. Yelena Isinbayeva:

When I was five I joined a club of artistic gymnastics where I gained the title of Master of Sports of Russia. I practiced  gymnastics for 10 years.

At the age of fifteen I started practicing pole vaulting and it was an immediate success. Six months after having joined athletics I won my first victory at World Youth Games in 1998 which were actually Olympic Games for young athletes under 16. At the age of 18 I took part in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney for the first time and though I  did not make it out of the qualifying round I was sure that at the next Olympics the gold will be mine.

Between 2001 and 2016 I won gold medals at almost all official championships including 2004 and 2008 Olympics and world championships, and a bronze medal at 2012 Olympics in London. I set 28 World Records and was named World Athlete of the Year several times. In one word, it was a fantastic time.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Introduce us to a day in the life of a Pole Vaulter, preparing for the Olympics.

Ms. Yelena Isinbayeva:

It’s quite a busy day. In the morning you have the first two hour training – stretch or power gymnastics; after lunch there is a 1.5-2 hour obligatory nap, in the evening you have a run training or pole vault training which lasts for 3-3.5 hours, and  after that a massage or a sauna in order to recover after a tense day.

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Ms. Namita Nayyar:

How has your life changed after retiring from the sport?

Ms. Yelena Isinbayeva:

In fact I did stop training and taking part in competitions but I didn’t retire from the sport in itself, I just changed the direction. My life, of course, has changed. I work now at the International Olympic Committee, in the Russian Anti-Doping Agency and of course I run my Charity fund. But all  these organizations have a common aim –  to promote and favor the development of sport.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Share with us your exercise routine that you follow to remain healthy & fit.

Ms. Yelena Isinbayeva:

The training program is simple : you should do what you like and to the amount you are able to cope with. Torturing yourself will do you no good. If I go for a run, I always listen to my body and know when it’s time to stop and take a walk break. The same thing with other exercises – the key is to do sport for pleasure and have a positive attitude.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Do you take a particular regulated diet comprising of nutrients and vitamins to keep you in perfect health?

Ms. Yelena Isinbayeva:

I stick to a simple rule that works perfectly : eat your breakfast, share your lunch with a friend and give your dinner to  your enemy, and you will always be fit.

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Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Training for professional sports requires you to be out in the extreme weather. How were you able to take care of your skin and hair?

Ms. Yelena Isinbayeva:

Naturally, I, as any woman, love myself and look after myself no matter where I am and what I am doing. As for hair care, I use hair masks and oils designed for my hair type. I also follow recommendations of my beautician concerning skin care, but the main thing is that I realized the saying by the legendary Coco Chanel “you are what you eat” was true, and the secret of healthy looking skin and hair is a healthy diet.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

In 2005, you became the first woman to clear the five-metre barrier. How did you feel after giving such a breakthrough performance?

Ms. Yelena Isinbayeva:

I felt relieved and at the same time fell into a kind of euphoria. It was important for me to be the first in the world  to clear a five-metre barrier. I am endlessly happy that I wrote my name in the history of the development of women pole vault in the world and in sport development in general. It felt like I was Yuri Gagarin who was the first to journey into outer space.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

You are also one of the only eight athletes to win world championships at the youth, junior, and senior level of an athletic event. What has been your inspiration and motivation behind your excellent performance in this sport throughout your career?

Ms. Yelena Isinbayeva:

It was love for sport and pole vaulting. I love it, and I love competing and, of course, winning. There is nothing in the world that the sense of victory can be compared to. I love stadiums with thousands of spectators, I love the national anthem playing in my name. I do love to inspire children to practice sport. That is why I tried not to lose any opportunity to feel these emotions  again and again as I knew that sport is just a short part of life.

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Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding pole vaulters who all are your fans and shall like to know from you for their climb to ladder of success in this field?

Ms. Yelena Isinbayeva:

My major advice is to believe in yourself and your capabilities. You have to work hard but understand that you do it for yourself  in the first place and not for your coach. When it’s hard at times you have to know that there is always another person in the world who is in a worse situation than you are but he continues to fight. And at the times of success don’t forget who you are, where you come from and who has led you to this  success.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for our readers?

Ms. Yelena Isinbayeva:

I wish to all Womenfitness visitors to be strong, beautiful, fit and confident. Each of you is unique and special. Do not strive for the imposed beauty standards as there is no one else like you in the world.

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