7 Quick Tips for Staying in Shape While Traveling

Many of us (myself included) use our “travel time” as an excuse to ditch the normal workout routines and binge on any yummy and exotic foods that we can get our hands on. While doing that some days is fine, it’s important to stay fit and healthy while traveling, especially if you’re traveling long term. Below are some quick and easy ways to get a workout in on the road.

In-Room Exercise / Apps

Have you been on the app store recently and seen how many workout/fitness apps there are? An overwhelming amount. One of the fitness apps I have is called “SWORKIT” and I downloaded for free. I use every time I want to switch up my routine or am in a pinch. There’s several different workouts to try and you can even choose what body parts or what type of workout you want to do. All you need is your smart phone and a little bit of space and voilà!

Hotel Gym / Local Gyms

This one is a no-brainer. If you have a hotel gym, set some time aside to use it each day and hold yourself accountable. If there’s a nearby or local gym, see if you can get a free trial period or if you’re staying for a longer period of time, try to negotiate a discounted new membership rate. Once you join, pick a time that works well and stick to it!

Nearby Classes

Into cycling? Down with yoga? Interested in trying rock climbing? If you are traveling somewhere that has access to a studio or a class, go for it! I recently tried rock climbing and fell in love with it. Not only was it a great workout with my adrenaline pumping for hours after, but I also made some new friends!

Water Activities

This is one of my favorites. Snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking- there’s a million things you can do if you have access to a body of water. If you spend an hour or two each day doing a different water activity, you’ll not only burn a bunch of calories, but you won’t even realize you’re working out.

Go for a Run and See the City

If you’re staying in a city, put on your sneakers and go for a run or walk. Not only will this get your heart rate up, but you’ll also be able to stumble upon places that you might not have seen had you been in a vehicle. Even if you take a quick walk to the nearest coffee shop or lunch spot, you’re still getting in exercise that will add up throughout the day.

Ditch the Uber and Rent a Bike

Similar to the last point, try renting a bike for a day or two instead of taking an Uber or cab. When I was in Portland, my brother and I rented bikes and rode 25 miles around the city. Not only was it a really great workout (yes – the next day was slightly painful), but I was able to take routes that took me through amazing areas that I would have never seen by car.

Get Outside and Explore

Go for a hike! Sites like AllTrails make it easy to find trails near your location. Just go on the website or download the app and you can easily find trail guides that give you driving directions, maps and information. I love hiking and being with nature, so I’ve used that app quite a bit to help me discover new places.

Staying in Shape While Traveling – Just Do It!

Yes, I stole that last line from Nike. Yes, it is my favorite fitness shoe brand. But seriously, just get out there and do it. Fitness is a lifestyle and it doesn’t have to come to a halt just because you’re traveling. All you need is motivation and a little bit of creativity and you’re set.

What are some of your favorite ways to stay in shape while traveling?