Sneaking in Exercise When You’re Traveling

Staying active can be challenging, particularly throughout the colder months and when traveling. But working out during this time doesn’t have to be stressful or traditional. Check out the guide below on how to fit in fitness while you’re on the road so you can wander the world while you keep exercising and maintaining your wellness throughout the winter!

Here are some ideas to fit in exercise while you’re traveling or a house guest:

Walk around the airport if your flight is delayed.

Stretch out those tense muscles after a long flight. Try yoga poses, such as Downward Dog or Child’s Pose.

If your destination isn’t too far from the airport, walk instead of opting for a cab or taxi.

Break a sweat by running up and down a staircase.

Take advantage of the fitness center and/or pool, if available.

Have a dance party in your room to your favorite music.

Try a bodyweight workout in your room. Use the furniture as exercise equipment – do triceps dips on a chair, incline pushups on the sofa, etc. See below for suggested routines.

Simple Anywhere, Anytime Bodyweight Routines

Use these three workouts as a starting point for ideas or create your own. Repeat each routine three times.

Routine One

100 jumping jacks

30 to 60 seconds of pushups

30- to 60-second plank hold

30 to 60 seconds of lunges (per leg)

30 to 60 seconds of burpee

Routine Two

10 bodyweight squats

10 pushups

10 lunges (per leg)

10 reverse crunches

10 overhead backpack lifts (or whatever you’d like to use for weight)

Routine Three

60 seconds jumping rope

50 jumping jacks

20 alternating lunges (per leg)

15 crunches

20 squats

60-second wall sit

25 pushups

30- to 60-second plank hold

Packable Fitness Gear

Of course, you don’t have to pack any tools to enhance your workout. But if you want to, here are some suggestions:

Gym shoes

Fitness attire

Jump rope

Resistance bands

Portable suspension training equipment (e.g., TRX)

Kettlebell

Water dumbbells (They’re inflatable dumbbells that expand when filled with water so you can pack them easily. But when in a pinch, water bottles or books can be used in place of weights.)

Floor slides (Small towels can be used in lieu of floor slides.)

Yoga mat

A simple online search of exercises you can do with the equipment listed above will provide lots of ideas. You can also search for ways to incorporate a kettlebell or dumbbells into several of the bodyweight exercises mentioned above.