Wondering how to stay fit when you travel? We get it. You’re excited about your holiday but you’re also wary of losing fitness momentum. Nobody wants to spend hours in the gym when they could be exploring. We asked some leading fitness expert for their top tips on how to stay fit when you travel.
Make the most of your destination to stay fit when you travel
“Staying fit while you travel can of course look different to your usual routine,”says Ben Lucas, co-founder of Flow Athletic. “Embrace the change of scenery and train in a different way. Head off for a beach run, do some floor exercises in a local park or even check out boutique gyms in your destination. Pack smaller, lightweight fitness accessories such as resistance bands and core sliders. These can help assist a Pilates style workout in the comfort of your hotel room.”
Embrace resistance bands
They’re so light and easy to pack, which means staying fit when you travel is easier.
“You can reduce your workout frequency to one to two times a week, and focus on full-body exercises,” suggests Weibke Hensen, head coach at Vitruvian. “Slow your tempo and add pauses to make bodyweight exercises more challenging. Incorporate unilateral exercises for balanced strength and use everyday items like water bottles for added resistance. Opt for supersets to maximise efficiency.
“You can also try new activities like hiking or kayaking to stay active while exploring. Remember, maintaining fitness is important, but enjoying your holiday and creating memories is the goal.”
Get your steps in
“I think this is one of the most effective ways to stay fit when travelling,” says Emma Masters, educator at Therapy Fitness. Where safe, rather than taking transport, why not walk to your destination? It’s a great way of exploring the place that you are visiting, and you end up smashing those 10K steps super easily! If you really can’t miss out on your fav classes, check out Class Pass. It’s like a fitness passport for all the local top studios.”
Don’t forget to stretch to stay fit when you travel
Stretching is an essential part of any fitness routine, and it’s a great way to ensure you stay fit when you travel.
“It plays a crucial role in maintaining overall physical health, especially in various scenarios like post-workout and during travel,” says Samantha Ross, flexologist at StretchLab Blackrock. “After a workout, stretching helps reduce muscle stiffness and soreness, promotes flexibility, and supports recovery. It thereby ensures that muscles and joints remain healthy and reduces the risk of injuries. Meanwhile, during travel, extended periods of sitting — whether on planes, trains, or in cars, can cause tight muscles and poor circulation.
Incorporating stretching into your travel routine can alleviate discomfort and prevent issues such as back pain and deep vein thrombosis. Simple stretches like neck rolls, seated forward bends, and ankle circles can be performed while seated. When more space is available, stretching your legs and back can significantly enhance comfort and well-being.”
