Travel is always exciting because you get to explore new places, learn about different cultures, and take a break from the monotony of your daily routine. While it’s essential to allocate time for a little rest and recovery, it can also be easy to lose grip on your fitness habits amidst all the excitement, especially when presented with delicious foods along the way.
The good news? Staying fit while traveling is not impossible. There are different ways you can maintain your physical fitness and overall well-being as you move from place to place. Your home away from home doesn’t have to feel like an inconvenience, and your fitness doesn’t need to take a back seat or feel like a chore.
Integrating fitness activities into your travel itinerary, like bike rides and hikes, can help you stay fit and energized throughout your travels. Being active will help you to maintain your energy levels, manage stress, and stay healthy. It also offers a unique way to explore new destinations and enhance your travel experience.
Essential Travel-Friendly Fitness Gear
As I prepare for my own fitness journey on the road, I’ve been thinking carefully about how to maintain my workout routine during the 57 days of travel ahead. It’s clear that I won’t always have access to a gym, and stopping at places equipped with fitness centers isn’t always guaranteed.
This realization has led me to seek out and rely on travel-friendly fitness gear that can help me stay active no matter where I am. This is why I wanted to share some of the essential items I’m packing to ensure I can work out effectively and stay fit while traveling, regardless of the destination or available facilities.
1. Resistance and Power Bands
Resistance bands are lightweight, compact, and versatile. They provide a great way to build strength and improve flexibility without the need for heavy weights. Power bands can be used for a variety of exercises targeting different muscle groups, making them an essential item in your travel fitness kit.
2. Gliders
Gliders are small, portable discs that you can use on any smooth surface to perform a range of exercises. They are excellent for improving your core strength and stability.
3. Skipping Rope
A skipping rope is a fantastic piece of cardio equipment that you can take anywhere. It’s great for improving cardiovascular fitness, coordination, and agility. Plus, skipping is a fun way to get your heart rate up and burn calories.
4. TRX Suspension Trainer
The TRX system is a highly versatile piece of equipment that uses your body weight to provide a full-body workout. It’s easy to set up in a hotel room or even outside using a sturdy tree or pole. The TRX is perfect for maintaining strength and flexibility on the go.
5. Agility Ladder
An agility ladder is perfect for improving speed, coordination, and agility. It’s lightweight, foldable, and can be set up anywhere with a flat surface. By incorporating agility drills into your routine, you can keep your workouts dynamic and fun.
Body Weight Exercises Outdoors
No equipment? No problem. Even if you don’t have equipment or easy access to a gym, the great outdoors offers a variety of workout options, all with the added benefit of stunning scenery. You connect with nature while moving your body through it’s full range of motion, and there’s the added benefit of meeting new people and enjoying the social aspect of exercise.
Calisthenics is one of my favorite go-to disciplines when it comes to training outside. It leverages your body weight to build strength, flexibility, and endurance. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile, allowing you to adapt your workout to different environments and fitness levels. Here are some beginner-friendly calisthenic moves to get you started:
Beginner-Friendly Calisthenics Moves
Push-Ups
How to Do It: Start in a plank position with your hands placed slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Lower your body until your chest nearly touches the ground, then push yourself back up.
Benefits: Strengthens the chest, shoulders, triceps, and core.
Squats
How to Do It: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Lower your body as if you’re sitting back into a chair, keeping your weight on your heels. Return to standing.
Benefits: Targets the quads, hamstrings, glutes, and core.
Lunges
How to Do It: Step forward with one leg and lower your hips until both knees are bent at a 90-degree angle. Push back up to the starting position and repeat on the other leg.
Benefits: It works the legs and glutes and improves balance.
Planks
How to Do It: Hold a push-up position, but rest on your forearms instead of your hands. Keep your body in a straight line from head to heels and hold the position.
Benefits: Strengthens the core, shoulders, and back.
Mountain Climbers
How to Do It: Start in a plank position. Quickly drive your knees toward your chest, alternating legs as if you’re running in place.
Benefits: It boosts cardiovascular fitness and strengthens the core and legs.
Incorporating Fitness into Your Travel Itinerary
It is undoubtedly fun to be able to move your body as you want, especially early in the morning (well, for me at least). There is nothing worse than going on vacation and feeling sluggish, only to need a vacation from your vacation.
With the right mindset, not only will you get to explore cool places and do cool things, but maintaining your fitness routine has never been easier. In addition to calisthenics, there are plenty of other ways to stay active outdoors.
Hiking is a fantastic way to combine fitness with nature for those who prefer to move at a slower pace. Cycling, on the other hand, is an excellent low-impact exercise that improves cardiovascular health and builds leg strength. Whether you’re biking through the city or on a scenic trail, it’s a great way to get around quickly and see new things. You could also opt for walking tours instead of driving from place to place.
As for me, I will be traveling across South Africa, visiting 52 cities in 57 days, as part of a humanitarian campaign called the ‘Walk for Humanity’. My team and I will walk 50 km per day through all 9 provinces to raise awareness and funds for the South African Red Cross Society from the 31 August to 26 October 2024.
When you plan for your next vacation, don’t forget to warm up, stay hydrated, enjoy your new surroundings, and listen to your body. Lastly, don’t forget to have fun!