7 Killer Travel Workout Ideas: How to Stay in Fit While Traveling
If you have a good fitness routine and LOVE trying new sports, you should be able to keep it up when traveling right? Not always. Sometimes, it just feels impossible: no gym, lack of motivation to workout after an incredibly long flight, tight budgets during long-term travel, no time on a road trip or no space in a tiny hotel room... I've had all these issues and some more. I've learned to accept this lack of stability by being mindful of how I choose to stay active so that I can make the most of my travels and enjoy my time away.
Whether you want to know how to workout while traveling for work, for fun or you are a digital nomad, maintaining your workout routine and staying fit while traveling can be really hard. This change is also a great time to try new activities or implement better habits.
It’s time to learn how to stay fit while traveling. Here are a few travel wellness tips to plan your next vacation workout that help me stay active even outside my usual environment:
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1. Make your travel workouts an adventure
Running, diving, climbing, surfing, hiking, swimming... there are so many ways of taking advantage of your surroundings. Exercising while traveling doesn’t have to be boring! I love spending time doing outdoor sports in nature, sometimes even in unexpected places such as Hong Kong where there are so many incredible hiking paths around. And the best travel workouts are the ones you don’t notice right?
2. Make it your transportation
I hate spending time stuck in the subway, so when I travel to a big city, I make sure to use the local bike share system or walk. It doubles up as an awesome way to discover the city and get situated and it’s the perfect way to exercise on the go and keep in shape.
You need to move around anyways, so why not do it in a fun and efficient way? This is the best travel workout for me as there is no gym or equipment needed!
3. Make it a social event
It's so much more fun to maintain your travel workout routine when you can do it with someone, and it keeps you accountable. You will not see time pass and it's a great way to stay in shape!
Also, group classes are a fun way to meet new people when you are traveling solo.
4. Keep your travel workouts efficient with online workouts
You REALLY don't need to spend two hours a day or all your vacation budget on this. Working out while traveling doesn’t have to be a chore!
Online travel workouts are the best hotel room workout to exercise when traveling
When I travel I just keep my normal basic body weight fitness routine with no equipment. I use an at-home program on Kayla Itsines' Sweat App. It only takes 2 hours PER WEEK and I can do it ANYWHERE. Whether it's a quick hotel room workout or a local park workout, it takes minimal motivation and brings awesome results.
There are so many other vacation workouts you can do without a gym. From a quick HIIT session, to a youtube video or just dancing on your own: be creative and get your body moving!
5. Take advantage of free workouts
When I discover a new place, I love checking out the wellness scene as well. I found out about my absolute favorite yoga studio of all times just by typing "donation based yoga NYC" on Google.
A lot of yoga studios will offer donation based-classes as a way for new teachers to get experience. Most big chain gyms will offer a free trial, often for a week. I also often just buy a week pass at a yoga studio or a gym if I feel I will make the most of it. It is not complicated to go to the gym while traveling!
Other things to look into are hotel gyms (but make sure to research if the gym is actually good) and a Classpass membership (that can be used in many different locations around the world).
6. Plan your workouts ahead of time.
You are way more likely to stick to a habit if you know the specifics: a little bit of research and planning will go a long way here. If you have already planned where and when you'll get moving, it will be so much easier to actually do it. So go ahead and plan a few hotel room exercises or google that gym for travelers.
Another good strategy for me is to do it first thing in the morning: it starts my day right and gives me the energy I need!
It also helps to pack up some workout equipment for travel ahead of time.
7. Don't take it too seriously
Instead of being too rigid or worrying about not having access to your usual gym or workout classes, focus on finding flexibility and living in the moment. Staying in shape while traveling shouldn’t take away from your trip. There are so many ways to be healthy on the go. Do your best, consistently show up and enjoy your vacation!
I hope you enjoyed these tips to learn how to workout while traveling and inspired you to create a vacation workout routine! What are your favorite ways to work out while traveling?
Do you think this article could be useful to someone else? Share it on social or send it to someone who wants to workout more during their travels! I’d really appreciate it! ⤵️