One of the hardest things about starting a fitness regime is sticking with it. The best routines rely on dedication and repetition to slowly work towards your goals. We set ourselves challenges on familiar equipment in our home gyms or have very strict approaches to where and how we train. This can lead to some problems when we go away. Anyone that travels for business or has plans for a trip to see family or friends may come to a fork in the road. Do you put your regime on pause until you come back or do you find a way to adapt? Adapting your workout is the best approach so you don’t fall behind.
So what can you do while you are away from home and your usual equipment?
1) Check out the equipment in the gym at your hotel
Many hotels will have some form of fitness suite somewhere or access to a neighboring gym. Check that you have the option to use them with your reservation. The hotel staff should be able to advise you on where to go and what you can use. The machines might not be what you are used to at home. But, there should be a decent range of options for a good cardio workout in the morning before you head out for the day.
2) Borrow equipment from a relative or friend
If you aren’t staying in a hotel, but are instead staying with relatives or friends, they might have some equipment of their own that you can borrow – if you ask nicely. Just don’t be too offended if they aren’t keen. They might be a little protective of their equipment.
3) Go for a run or jog in this new location
If using gym equipment at your place of temporary resistance won’t work, consider going out for a run or a jog. You are in a different location, perhaps one that you haven’t visited before. A jog around a park or the waterfront is a great way to see the sights and get some exercise at the same time. You can enjoy a morning out at some of the best scenic areas of town before heading out for the day or conducting your business. This is great for those on business that feel as though they might not see much of the city beyond the hotel or the conference rooms. This morning exercise outside can show you that other side of the city, keep you fit and maybe even help you work through any stress about the upcoming meeting. If you are staying with friends or family, they should be able to give you some tips on some scenic areas away from the tourist hotspots. See what else the city has to offer in the way of an alternative workout.
4) Rent a bike
Bike rentals might be a good option for those that like to cycle but couldn’t bring their bike with them on the trip. Public bike schemes are great if you want to get between locations without taking a taxi or public transport. You might be able to clock up a few miles across the duration of your trip.
5) Find somewhere fun to swim
Swimming could be another way to stay active as an alternative when your usual regime isn’t an option. Again, your hotel may have a pool on-site that you can use or there could be a public one close to your family’s home. You could also enjoy some wild swimming if you are staying close to the sea. But, just make sure that you have the strength and experience to do this and don’t head out too far.
6) Work through some exercises in your hotel room
Some of these options will work well for those that are adventurous enough to head out and find a new way to work out. But, there are sure to be many people reading this that have their strict regime in mind. If you have a clear workout plan in place then look at how you can recreate that within your hotel room. You might have to adapt a little bit if you don’t have any weights with you. But, you can still make use of the space for some sit-ups, planking and other basic exercises. The great thing about being in your hotel room is that you really can do all of this without anyone seeing. So, it doesn’t matter if you have to rely on the weight of your luggage or do adapted push-ups from the desk. If you are staying with other people, ask them if it would be OK if you used their living room or other space for half an hour in the morning to work out.
7) Take some portable fitness equipment with you
All of these ideas focus on the notion that you won’t be able to take any fitness equipment with you when you go away. But, there are some small items that you could bring along that might help. Resistance bands are small and light enough to stow away in a bag. Jump ropes are also portable but might not be a hit with other guests below you. Small weights could help but only if you have the allowance for them in your luggage. Whatever you take, or however you find yourself needing to adjust the workout, make sure that you have the right gear with you. Take workout clothes and shoes, make sure that you have the right apps on your device and remember your earphones if you want to listen to music as you workout.
These tips could help your new fitness regime evolve in the future
Right now, it might seem as though we are a long way from heading off on business trips and vacations. In fact, many of us are more focused on discovering what we can do at home during self-isolation and social distancing. However, when this is all over you will travel again and you will want to keep up with all those new exercises you have learned. Look at your options, use exercise as a way to embrace this new location and be prepared to adapt.
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