Fitness On the Go
Its hard enough finding time to “get your fitness on” while trying to balance family, work and LIFE. Now throw traveling into the mix and it can be very difficult to stay committed to any type of routine. Traveling from home for business or pleasure is one of the major reasons why people fall off the fitness trail–and stay off. Crazy schedules, unfamiliar surroundings and lack of proper equipment all can wreak havoc with your established exercise program. But you don’t have to forego fitness while you’re on the road. Whether you’re jetting cross country to a meeting with a client or sailing off for some fun in the sun, you can still maintain fitness goals. All it takes is exercising a little creativity and simple planning.
My January is shaping up to be a month on the road, if your anything like me then you might have gained a pound or two over Thanksgiving and we still have Christmas to go. So, in preperation for my time away from home, these are a few things that I consider in regards to fitness:
Do a little extra planning- Call the hotel and ask if there are fitness facilities available to guests. If there are – which they’re usually are now days – great. If not, ask about parks or fitness facilities nearby. Or do what I often do, and cancel your reservations for a hotel with fitness facilities included.
Checkout the surrounding area – If your boss won’t budge on a hotel with fitness amenities, you can still end up on a treadmill if you’re a member of a large commercial gym or YMCA. Most of these offer the use of their other worldwide locations to their clientele. If your not a member of one of these gyms then you can still go to a local gym, most offer reasonable weekly rates.
If all else fails……….
– If the you cant manage either of the above options then you had better pack light! This way you will have room in your suitcase to bring equipment for a modified workout. You can include:
-Running shoes and fitness apparel – bring your workout gear and can double as casual day wear or sleepwear. Make sure to consider your destination. If you’re going to Vegas bring shorts and forget your sweat suit.
-Exercise videos & mat – This one is Duane’s fav. It will easily fit in your suitcase along with a fold able exercise mat.
-Jumping rope or resistance bands – These will hardly take up any room in your suitcase. Plus, a jump rope is one of the most effective calorie-burning workouts you can do. With a resistance band you’ll get some weight training in for a total workout. Just attach it to a door knob or chair.
-Push ups & Dip Stations – probably the lightest weight workout gear to take on vacation. All you need is a little floor space. With dips, just grasp the edge of a coffee table or low chair and you have a personal dip station at your disposal.
Good luck……
I tend to try and walk back to my hotel from the convention center after a long day at a trade show. It is a good way for me to stretch my legs, work the kinks out, and burn a few calories before a business dinner or collapse into the hotel bed!
I just wrote a post on running while traveling (http://gregstrosaker.com/2009/11/running-while-travelling-%E2%80%93-a-great-way-to-learn-about-an-area-if-you-plan-ahead/). I find it particularly important to exercise while at trade shows, largely as a way to relieve the built up lactic acid and stiffness from being on your feet all day. Fortunately, most shows are held in major cities which can, with a little planning, make it an extra enjoyable experience (except for Las Vegas, where the running options are pretty limited on the strip).