Travelling is an exciting adventure and it surely also comes with certain challenges, especially those we need to deal with when continuing our fitness routine. For those of us with travelitis (that means wanderlust for people who never took Sex Ed 101), staying in tip-top shape while we’re on the road can be challenging. But don’t worry! Good news, though: with a little forethought and some innovation (and the right gear), you can do whatever it takes to make sure all that progress sticks.
1. Know What to Pack and Why it’s Important
The process of staying active while travelling starts with the gear you bring. Any well-meaning novice runner will understand that women should start with the basics— footwear: women’s running shoes. By having a good pair of running shoes that supplement your everyday runs, but also double up well for different workouts. From a quick hotel room HIIT session to pounding the timeworn cobbled streets exploring a new city – your feet will make or break you, so ensure you wear supportive and comfortable shoes wherever possible. The better choices are more likely to be minimalist and compact, meaning they won’t add much weight or clutter to your bags.
2. Do Your Research ahead of time
Do some research before you even set foot on the plane. Is there a gym at your hotel? Is there a park or running path around here? The more you know the better so be aware of what’s on offer to help plan your sessions and make sure that interest is kept at an all time high. A good example would be the city of London where you can enjoy lush running landscapes in parks like Hyde Park or Regents park. And remember that a lot of hotels have fitness centres, or at least partnerships with nearby gyms nowadays!
Hotel Fitness Centre
3. Morning Workouts Kickstart Your Day
Nothing feels more invigorating than when you start the day with a workout — I thrive on this whilst traveling. It not only helps keep you on track for your fitness goals but also is a great start to the day. If Tim Ferris runs then so can you: unless not a morning person but definitely get in an 11 min home HIIT workout. A mere 20 minutes can have an enormous impact on how you will feel for the rest of your day. This way, you can spend more time exploring the city and give up trying to figure out when to work out during your day.
4. Stay Active on the Go
When it comes to traveling and staying fit, this doesn’t mean hours at the gym. In contrast, there are numerous options that could be made to seem less like a chore when it comes to staying on the go during your trip. The Reality: One of the easiest fitness activities to do is walk. If you can skip a taxi or public transport and take diversified paths by foot — go for it. By walking more you’ll be burning calories and getting to know a bit extra about all the local culture. The more adventurous could hire a bike or why not take part in the activities of your location, like hiking etc?
5. Utilise All of the Free Hotel Amenities
Hotels these days go far beyond just offering a bed to sleep in. They always have some sort of gym available, take advantage! While you may not have a workout room, there might be an extensive gym facility with a pool and yoga classes available. If your hotel does not have a gym, no problem. You can also exercise in your room. The argument here is that you don’t need space or lots of cash for the gym, body weight exercises like push ups, squats, and planks can be done anywhere with nothing.
6. Stay Hydrated and Eat Smart
It is true that travel is known to disrupt a normal way of eating(definitely drinking.) You will have plenty of opportunities to eat rich foods and local delicacies, but master the art of Moderation. The best course of action is to just eat a well-balanced diet that contains lots and fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean meats. Staying hydrated is also important, particularly when you are travelling to a warmer weather destination or spending your days outside. Bring a reusable water bottle with you and drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.
7. Embrace Local Fitness Culture
One way to keep in shape while traveling is to take advantage of the local fitness culture. There are different fitness trends within every city and they even offer outdoor activities that may not be prevalent where you live. For instance, you could sign up for a local park run or take part in some yoga at one of the historic settings -or even try your hand at paddleboarding in that beer-garden-friendly setting. This will not only save you money but keep you more active as well, providing a personal connection to the place that you are exploring.
Stay Fit While Travelling | Yoga
8. Don’t Stress About Perfection
Finally, one of the most important things to remember is that staying fit while traveling may not be perfect. That you missed a workout or had dessert. You want to find that balance and keep up with your fitness along the way without ruining everything you have gained from home. Provided you follow these tips regularly, your trial will be smooth as silk (health-wise) and certainly feel good.
Final Thoughts
Staying healthy on the road or in between your work trips doesn’t have to be difficult. So, if you stay positive and do some good planning whilst rocking those awesome running shoes; nothing will hold you back from reaching your fitness goals whilst still enjoying every step of the way. Now, as you pack your bags for the next trip elsewhere; try to follow these tips and hopefully it will help in keeping them gains forward so that Every trip becomes a Moon mission! Run happy and run safe!