6 Ways To Stay Active While Traveling
When you’re traveling, whether it be for business or pleasure, it’s easy to fall off the fitness wagon. Unfortunately, falling into the sedentary trap while traveling can leave you feeling sluggish and stressed upon your return to the “real world.” By finding ways to stay active during your travels, you can remain energized while also making the most of your trip.
Not sure where to begin when it comes to incorporating more activity into your travels? Consider a few practical tips.
1. Make Use Of Downtime At The Airport
Think about all the time you spend sitting at the airport, especially if you have a flight with a layover. Why not make use of this time by getting in a quick workout? If you don’t have a lot of luggage to drag around with you, consider going for a brisk walk through the airport terminal to kill time and get your blood pumping before your flight. If you’re the type of person who often has trouble sleeping on a plane, this bit of exercise before your flight might even help you catch a restful snooze so you can arrive at your destination feeling totally refreshed.
Some airport terminals and airlines even have their own lounges, many of which are equipped with gyms. If you’re in the mood for a “real” workout, it can’t hurt to ask the airline’s customer service for access to their lounge prior to your flight. The worst they can say is “no,” after all.
2. Take Advantage Of Hotel Gyms
When booking a hotel for your trip, look for ones that come with access to a workout room or gym. Ideally, this facility will be available to you to 24 hours a day during your stay so you can exercise any time you wish. Staying at a hotel with a gym is a great way to enjoy the convenience of quality workout equipment; plus, it pretty much negates any excuse you may have had to avoid working out while you travel.
Even if your chosen hotel doesn’t have a workout room, a hotel with a pool can provide you with an opportunity to get in some great and low-impact exercise during your stay.
3. Bring Light Workout Equipment With You
While it may not be practical to bring along your free weights and other bulky/heavy fitness gear in your luggage, there is some small and light fitness equipment that you can throw into your luggage for a quick and simple workout in your hotel room. Resistance bands hardly weigh anything and don’t take up much space, yet they’re a great way to challenge your muscles. A jump rope or light yoga mat may also be easily packed in your carry-on or checked luggage.
There are also plenty of free and paid fitness apps that will guide you through a workout directly from your phone or tablet. Many of these apps allow you to choose workouts that don’t require any special equipment so you can perform them from the comfort and convenience of your hotel room while still breaking a good sweat!
4. Look Into Local Runs At Your Destination
If you’re feeling really ambitious, why not look into local runs that may be happening at your destination during your travel dates? This doesn’t mean you have to commit to running a full marathon, but you might consider signing up for a fun 5K. This can be a great opportunity to get to know the area, meet new people, and enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes with finishing one of these races as well!
5. Wear A Step Tracker And Set Goals
If you have a step tracker, such as a FitBit, think about setting a specific daily step goal for your trip. Maybe this goal will be more or less than your typical daily goal, depending on your ambition. Either way, setting a daily step goal and sticking with it is an easy way to avoid being too sedentary during your trip.
If you have a step tracker that allows you to sync the device to your smartphone and compete with friends, why not start a step challenge with friends during your travel dates for additional motivation? This will help to increase your accountability while making things a little more fun in the process.
6. Find Activities That Encourage Movement
No matter where your destination may be, there are plenty of activities you can partake in during your travels that will get you moving. Check out some local nature trails or parks for a day of hiking or biking, for example. Even on an inclement weather day, you can most likely find a local mall or other indoor shopping center to partake in some window shopping.
Depending on where you’re traveling, you may also be able to get around quite a bit without using public transportation. By walking to your destinations instead, you can stay active while getting to see more of the local area for yourself.
While it can be tempting to take it easy while you’re traveling, there are so many benefits to staying active. Even setting aside 20 minutes a day during your trip to fit in some exercise can make a drastic difference in how you feel when you return from your travels. Whether you’re stuck in a layover at the airport or are looking for ways to stay active at your hotel, there is no shortage of options available to you. Be sure to consider these tips to stay active and have fun on your next trip!
