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Travel Fitness Tips  Fitness Workouts for the Traveler.

Nothing takes a toll on the mind and body like travel - even so-called leisure or vacation, travel can do a number on you. You know what I'm talking about: ever say, "boy I need a vacation after that vacation?" It's not even jet lag that I'm talking about it - spend ten hours in the car with only minimal pit-stops and at the end of the day you can hardly move or think about eating a balanced meal. Often times we over-indulge when we travel: stay-up later, get-up earlier, eat differently and try to cram as much into a day as we can. Body rhythms are very sensitive to change which may result in any or all these symptoms: head aches, restless, insomnia, irritability, and constipation.

The tendency is to pile on the excuses of why it may seem like a good idea to skip your diet and exercise programs when traveling. However, the truth is, keeping to your diet and exercise program will help you overcome any travel fatigue and make your re-entry into your normal routine feel like you had a vacation!

Muscles have memories. What you may have gained getting in shape for your trip might be lost by stopping your exercise routine. You also risk losing the incentive to start back up again after returning home. While you may not be able to keep to a rigors exercise schedule due to lack of equipment, space and time, some general stretching, cardiovascular, and weight baring or isometrics and calisthenics every other day for 15 to 20 minutes (at the same intensity of your normal workout) will keep those muscles' memories active.

Exercising on the road doesn't necessarily mean getting to a gym, you can achieve a great workout anywhere. Your hotel room is a perfect place to start.

Travel Exercise KitTravel Exercise Kit!

Check our our Travel Exercise Kit - complete with instructions and mesh travel pouch.

Improvise on your equipment.

  • Use a belt from the hotel robe as your yoga stretch cord.
  • Use the back of a chair to help stabilize yourself when doing leg lifts and squats.
  • Surf cable TV channels for the morning exercise show and follow along.
  • Pack a couple of spongy foam balls to squeeze (great for limbering hands and arms after death gripping the steering wheel for hours).
  • Pack a jump rope (caution bouncing up and down may disturb downstairs guests).
  • Take along your walking/exercise shoes and workout clothes.
  • Do floor calisthenics and tummy crunches.
  • Pack a lightweight Pilates fitness ring for resistance training.
  • Use a short ottoman for step-up workouts.
  • Be sure to test the sturdiness of any hotel room items before using.
  • Caution should be used if exercising on tile floors (use shower mats to avoid slipping).
  • Need weights but hate hotel gyms? Ask the hotel if you may borrow a set to take to your room.
  • Walking or jogging is a great - but be sure the area is safe and ask for a map in case your jog takes you further then you planned.
  • Be sure to take along ID and cab fare.
  • Water is essential be sure to drink plenty of plain old H2O. If tap water is questionable drink bottled water.
  • To avoid dehydration by going out during coolest part of the day.

Walking is a wonderful way to not only get a great workout but to get out and explore your travel destination. Kona, Hawaii is my favorite getaway. One reason I love it so much is my morning walk - it's become almost a ritual while I'm there. I start off from my accommodations and walk along the water's edge through town to the harbor and back again. Along the way I stop and pick up a Plumiera blossom and place it behind my ear in the Hawaiian fashion tradition. The fragrant flower serves to remind me that I'm breathing in fresh pure air and that I am truly in paradise while getting in my 3 miles a day.

Incorporating regular exercise into your travel itinerary will certainly improve your well-being and your trip. Don't have a exercise routine? Take one up during your travels. Start off slow and easy and you'll improve your stamina for what lies ahead.

Sign up on our E-mail list list to be notified of other new travel tips. Meanwhile, I hope you'll share your travel tales, experiences, likes and dislikes with us at: travel stories and travel tips.

Please let me know how I can assist you with your travel needs.

Cheers,

Annette
President & Co-founder



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