Summer is one of the busiest times of the year to travel- the beaches, mountains and lakes and trips abroad come calling fast once the snow melts and the trees bloom. Most of us probably have the mindset of “I don’t need to work out, I’m traveling! Time to treat myself!”, but vacation ends and one week, two weeks or even a month later, we find ourselves feeling like a bump on a log, our strength and endurance are gone, and there may be a few tweaks in our backs. So how can you stay fit while traveling without missing out on time with family and friends? Keep reading below for a few tips:
When in doubt, bodyweight workouts
Your body is all you need for a good workout, especially if you’re not staying in a hotel with equipment. Head outside and find a hill or a set of stairs when you first wake up and start the clock for 20-30 minutes. Running or walking can be paired with burpees, push-ups, air squats, lunges, jumping jacks, stair sprints etc… Pick 3-4 bodyweight movements with a run or walk and you’ll feel fresh and ready to tackle the day.
Choose the hiking or walking options
Looking to watch the sunset from the top of a mountain or cliff? Hike to it! Interested in exploring a specific neighborhood? Grab a map and get walking instead of a ticket for a bus tour. You can also choose to walk to dinner or lunch instead of taking that 5 minute uber or taxi.
Take advantage of your hotel gym
Many hotels have great equipment options- not just one bike and one treadmill. Find out before you leave if your hotel has a gym and if so, what kind of equipment it has. Then, write out a few workouts you know you can complete in 20-30 minutes in the morning or during an afternoon lull.
Drink water and eat a healthy breakfast
Make sure you drink a ton of water, especially if you’re in a warmer climate. Water helps keep us hydrated (obviously), but also helps us feel full and aids in digestion. Also, start your morning with a healthy breakfast. Those pancakes and waffles I’m sure look amazing, and I’m not saying you shouldn’t indulge (it IS vacation), but choosing an egg dish with vegetables and some fruit on the side will help kick your day off on the right path.
Free Travel Work Out
Set a clock for 20 minutes and perform the following movements until the clock is up:
25 jumping jacks
20 air squats
15 pushups
10 burpees