Health and wellness are always topics that seem to take center stage. This has especially been the case over the past few years as the global pandemic forced many people to look at their lifestyles and conduct some serious self-evaluation. During the peak of the pandemic and the stay-at-home orders, at-home-workout trends became the fad-of-the-year. Now, as things start to somewhat settle down, gyms have started to reopen their doors, and even travel is starting to become a little bit more commonplace once again. While it’s unlikely that we’ll ever see society return to the state it was pre-COVID, it is nice to see some of our regularities making a comeback. Even if COVID-19 wasn’t your time to get in shape, maybe you’re starting to focus on your physical fitness now. Either way, as travel starts to become available again, it isn’t always easy to maintain a workout routine while you’re out of state.
No matter what your physical fitness goals are, maintaining your workout routine while you’re traveling can help you continue taking steps toward your goals, instead of feeling like a set-back.
“While it may be tempting to skip the gym while on the road, making time for a workout can pay dividends in terms of both physical and mental health. So next time you’re packing your suitcase for a business (or personal) trip, don’t forget to pack your workout gear as well.”
– Stephanie Charles, Author, Vague Terrain –
Making use of Hotel Gyms and Other Workout Facilities
In today’s day and age, many modern hotels are equipped with at least a partial gym, or some sort of workout area. The quality of the workout facilities can largely depend on the quality of the hotel itself. Some hotel-gyms have a few cardio machines, maybe a small selection of dumbbells, and potentially one or two weight-lifting machines. Even in the context of a partial-gym, though, there is usually enough there to get in a quick 20 or 30 minute workout. This is typically all the average person really needs in the day anyway.
Higher class hotels may have more full gyms that have a series of both cardio and weight lifting machines as well as a selection of free weights including dumbbells and kettlebells. If working out on your trip is a priority, you may want to specifically book a hotel that has a more comprehensive gym available.
“The nice thing about traveling in the modern world is that I never have to leave my workouts behind me. I mean just about every hotel I’ve ever been to has a gym, or a lap pool, or typically both. This gives me plenty of options when it comes to working out and staying in shape.”
– Chris Bridges, CEO, VITAL –
If you can’t seem to find a hotel with a gym that will suit the athlete in you, or you don’t want to pay the rates to stay at the hotels that will, you can also look for hotels who are in a close vicinity to a chain-gym.
This is specifically for people who don’t workout at home. For example, if you workout at a Planet Fitness, you can book a hotel with a Planet Fitness nearby, and get your workouts in there.
“If I’m traveling to a pretty metropolitan area, I’ll just go ahead and find somewhere close to a gym. That way I can walk there in the morning, which I’ve never been comfortable working out in my hotel, so. It’s a win-win.”
– Brett Estep, COO, Insured Nomads –
Easy Equipment to Travel With for Your Workout
There are other ways to keep in shape while you’re on the go, too. For instance there is even some workout equipment that’s portable enough you can bring it with you virtually anywhere. This means you don’t have to rely on the accommodations of the hotel gym, or booking a hotel with a full service gym within walking distance. Resistance bands, for example, would allow you to customize your workout routine and perform it just about anywhere. This way, you don’t even have to leave your hotel-room to get your sweat on.
“When I’m traveling I’ll just bring my resistance bands with me and use those right in my hotel room. That way I don’t have to worry about anyone seeing me. I can literally just roll out of bed, step into a band, and get some squats in. It’s great, and it’s how I’ve managed to bring some shape back to my lower body.”
– Drew Sherman, Director of Marketing & Communications, Carvaygo –
Resistance bands are also really great for stretching and keeping limber, making them a truly versatile and excellent way to keep on the workout-train wherever your life may take you.
“I use resistance bands in my yoga and stretching all the time. It just helps me keep my muscles loose and it helps me breathe too. Plus, by bringing resistance bands with me I can just do my stretching in my room. I don’t even have to put on pants if I don’t want to.”
– Cody Candee, Founder and CEO, Bounce –
Going on Runs and Learning the Local Scene
Some of us prefer cardio over weight lifting or yoga. There’s nothing wrong with that, especially if it motivates you to stay active and get in regular exercise. However, while you’re traveling, why stick to the confines of your hotel, when you could get your exercise in and learn the local scene.
“If I’m traveling to a city for the first time, I really enjoy running through the neighborhoods where I’m staying. I’ll just go on my map application and plan a route that’s a normal distance for me.This way I get to see what’s around, and learn the area a bit, all while getting in some cardio.”
– Ryan Azimi, Director of International Development, ETIAS –
By taking your jog off the hotel treadmill and into the streets you can really get to know the area in which you’re staying and you may even come across a few hidden gems.
“When I’m going on runs through a new area, I’ll try to pick places out that I hadn’t noticed. Bars, restaurants, libraries, shops, whatever. Then, later when I have some freetime I like to come back and visit those places. I’ve found some real hidden treasures this way.”
– Caleb Ulffers, CEO, Haven Athletic –
Yoga and Other Bodyweight Exercises
Yoga was mentioned in the context of resistance bands and stretching a little bit earlier, but it can be completed without any equipment as well. In fact, there are plenty of exercises that only require your body weight and nothing else. From push-ups to body weight squats, you can customize an entire workout routine around nothing but moving your body.
“The easiest thing for me to do while I’m traveling is to just focus on more of a calisthenic routine. Rather than weights and machines, I just do bodyweight squats, wall-sits, ab-workouts, you name it. I can just do it right in my room which is super convenient.”
– Benjamin Earley, CEO, HOLT –
Yoga can even be a good supplemental addition to other bodyweight workouts as it can specifically help one build flexibility and keep their muscles loose.
“I feel like a whole different person after I do yoga. It’s such a relief for me. I swear I can feel all my muscles just unwind themselves. It’s just rejuvenating. Plus, I love that I can do it just about anywhere there’s a floor.”
– Anamika Goyal, Head of Architecture & Design, Cottage –
Recreational Sports
Depending on where you’re traveling, the season, and the weather, you may enjoy getting involved in some recreational sports. Recreational sports can be a great way to both have fun, and get in some exercise. If you’re visiting a beach town, for instance, you could find some people to play beach volleyball with.
“I like to travel where the sun shines bright, so I’m always looking for people who will go to the beach and play some volleyball with me. I just think it’s a fun way to spend an afternoon and a super easy way for me to get in a workout without really thinking about it, too. Plus this way I get to work on my tan.”
– Vincent R. Chan, Chief Financial Officer, Christina –
There are plenty of other recreational sports that can turn into a good workout too. Golf, racket ball, tennis, and many others. Finding a sport you enjoy playing can be a great way to get in some exercise while you travel.
“I like to bring my clubs with me when I can. That way if there’s a nice course nearby that I haven’t played at I can go spend a day. I’ll typically walk the course if I’m trying to turn it into exercise. Otherwise, I just like to ride and have fun.”
– Ian Heyman, Founder, Dermasteel –
Building Your Beach Body Anywhere you Go
Physical health and wellness is an extremely personal and individualized thing. Whether you want to take a few inches off your waist, or add a few to your bountiful booty so you really fill out your yoga-pants, staying on top of your workout routine while you’re traveling can help you continue taking steps toward your goals instead of falling further away from them.
“Running, diving, climbing, surfing, hiking, swimming… There are so many ways of taking advantage of your surroundings. Exercising while traveling doesn’t have to be boring!”
– Lucile Hernandez Rodriguez, Content Creator –
Leave a Reply