Staying healthy and maintaining my fitness level are important goals for me, even when I’m away from home. So it’s no surprise that I’m a big fan of exercising and staying active while on vacation.
This doesn’t always mean HIIT workouts and hardcore runs, although my vacations somehow always seem to include these! Even small bursts of movement on your vacation can be beneficial. They will not only help you maintain your fitness goals but they can also help you stay energized throughout your trip. The key is to know how to sneak in these mini workouts throughout your day.
So if you’re headed on vacation soon and worried about how you will fit in regular workouts on top of your vacation activities – here are a few ideas to help you stay focused on both.
1. Walk to a planned destination – This is especially convenient when visiting a big city. Not only will walking to your destination help you get your steps in for the day, but it’s also a great way to get acclimated to the city and see a few sights that you might have missed if you drove or took the subway.
2. Utilize the hotel gym or pool – Most hotels and resorts have a small, in-house gym and/or indoor or outdoor pool – and the gyms are sometimes open 24 hours. And if they don’t, many will offer alternative options, such as a free day pass at a nearby gym or pool, or loaner equipment like yoga mats, exercise bands or free weights you can use in your room. When checking into your hotel or resort, don’t be afraid to ask about all of the fitness options and amenities they offer.
3. Map out a walking/running route – Almost every time I travel, I research in advance nearby running trails, paths and/or routes that are near where I’m staying. If you find it difficult to identify a safe or logical route, check with the concierge or front desk. They often have maps printed out for guests for this very reason. Some hotels even offer daily or weekly running clubs for guests so be sure to ask!
4. Participate in a local fitness class – Many hotels/resorts offer free or low cost fitness classes throughout the week, like yoga, Pilates, or strength training. If you’re not staying at a hotel or your hotel doesn’t offer classes, look for a nearby studio or wellness center that may offer daily rates for classes.
5. Borrow or rent a bike – Granted, not all hotels will have bikes to borrow or rent and not all locations are bike-friendly, but if you do your research ahead of time, you should be able to identify bike rental shops or commuter bike rental stations (ie. Divvy bikes) along with maps to the nearest trail or bike path. Location permitting, you may even be able to use a bike as your main mode of transportation for entire trip – now that’s what I call sneaking in exercise!
6. Access an online fitness class – For those vacations or work trips where the gym is busy or the weather isn’t conducive for a run, I access fitness classes online via my iPhone or iPad and do them in my hotel room or in a covered area outside on hotel grounds. One of my favorites is Lindsey Bomgren’s 30-minute HIIT Leg Workout – no equipment required!
7. Alternate active activities with sedentary activities – For instance, if you know that Tuesday will be your “lay at the pool day”, plan a workout or run before heading out to tan. If you know you will be indoors most of the day at a museum, balance this indoor time by biking to your destination or walking back to your hotel.
As you can see, there are definitely ways to keep up with your fitness goals while on vacation. You may just need to be a little creative and flexible in your selections, such as opting for a cross-training activity vs. your normal routine. And if you can’t exercise every day or even on a normal schedule, don’t panic. You can jump back into your exercise routine when you return. Keep in mind, maintaining your fitness goals and your vacation goals at the same time is another exercise on its own…..an exercise in balance!
Happy travels everyone!
Jennifer
