Travel Workouts. By: Lisa Ritchie

Travel and Exercise, by Lisa Ritchie

Holiday travel, vacation travel, business travel! It’s the busiest time of the year for travelers, so how do you keep your workout on track?

Naturally, my top suggestion would be to book a hotel that has a gym. Sadly, some of these facilities are rather run down. Do some research on the Internet and call ahead to check what amenities they provide. Another idea is to check out local gyms. Often, they’ll have day passes at a reasonable price. Another option is resistance tubing or bands, which are lightweight and take up little space in your luggage. Focus on working against gravity when using them. There’s also sand or water-filled weights on the market that you fill once you’re at your destination. A good old fashioned water bottle or jug can work like this too!

You can also simply use your own body weight for a basic workout. Squats, crunches, push-ups, planks, triceps dips, and lunges, are all great choices to target multiple muscle groups. Many hotels also provide free DVD players. Bring along your favorite workout video.

Outside, you can use ramps, steps, benches, water, or sand resistance if you’re near a beach, or even a local playground! Since we’re talking about the great outdoors – you can always go for a walk, a hike, climb a nearby hill or climb some steps. There are planned “active vacations” where you can kayak, cycle, paddleboard, surf, swim and more!

Don’t forget to keep ID on you at all times and tell someone where you’re headed. With today’s technology, many cell phones have GPS and can keep you on the right track regardless of where your travels find you.