Keeping your fitness routine when you travel
Ever got deep rooted into a workout regime, only to be told by work you have got to go away for a few days? Your other half springs a lovely getaway into the mix? Or perhaps you are just off for a long weekend trip. Whatever it is, we sometimes find ourselves stuck with how to hit our daily workout target, particularly when we go away. If you do a specific class on a Wednesday but you’re going away on a Wednesday, you can’t do it – now what? I don’t know about you but when I slip out of my routine I feel utterly lost, so have some tips to help you maintain your fitness.
First things first, what to consider when you are away and wanting to workout. It is all about your time to start with. What is your schedule like? I know I get pretty disappointed in myself if I don’t get myself out to workout in some way, so I always get up early to get my exercise done first thing.
Right the best thing, to begin with, is doing your research. You can research the area you are headed to, for example, a city centre, what running routes are around? What fitness classes could you pay to go to? Where is safe to go? Things like Strava and running forums are great places to look for this. Also perhaps asking local fitness bloggers, they always know where is good to go or best to try in terms of classes. Whenever I go to London I always find a new route to run, but I plan in advance because I hate the fear of getting lost.
Don’t like running? Or don’t like running unless you are at home? That’s fine – trust me I have mastered the art of a hotel room workout! If you are away and for example your hotel has no gym, or like me when I’ve gone to the mountains, I have nowhere to run – I do the hotel room workout.
I often take my laptop and take Charlotte Crosby’s 3 Minute Belly Blitz as it is a decent workout and it’s in sections. If I can only do half an hour I can stop after that section. Alternatively, you can try YouTube but if your hotel wifi is iffy, there is nothing worse than getting yourself warmed up and pumped to go, to then have a video that starts buffering. I have been there. Seriously the most annoying thing once you have committed to it.
Below are my go-to video workouts. I only use one DVD whilst travelling because it is a great workout. The youtubers are a combination of sweaty good workouts and general well-being influences.
DVDs |
Charlotte Crosby’s 3 Minute Belly Blitz
YouTube |
What I’m Wearing | Top – Reebok Les Mills Muscle Vest* // Leggings – Reebok Womens Running Tights* // Trainers – New Balance Vazee // Running Top – Asics Womens Running Jacket // Socks – Asics Running Socks, Watch – Fitbit Blaze // Sports Bra – La Redoute R Essential Sports Bra*
If you don’t want to cart your laptop the next thing I’m going to suggest is apps. I had a situation in Italy when the internet was non-existent, so lucky had a few apps on my phone I could utilise. It may seem a little boring but teamed with a music playlist and you can get yourself into training mode. I have used 7-minute body workout the most, but just hunt down a few. I’d suggest testing them out before you go away, just to make sure you like them. My favourite ones for not only exercise but for general health and well-being are listed below.
Apps |
Freeletics
There isn’t an excuse to miss exercise because you are away, it’s just adapting it to work around… plus to shake up your routine. Trust me when I’m away I find it just as hard as the next person to get myself sorted, but the more prepared I am the better I am. I also feel awesome when I go home knowing I have still been active. If you can’t do as much as normal, that is okay just do what you can… and remember it is better than not doing anything.
How do you find working away and keeping on top of your fitness?
Love the running leggings! I've tried Charlotte Crosby's workout and it nearly killed me! Definitely going to give it a whirl again now I've packed on some extra lbs. xx
I am pleased you like the DVD. I still love it and I generally hate fitness DVDs. Try those apps because they honestly help even if you don't travel xx
Interesting read! I wish I looked that good doing exercise…love the sound of the apps. Good to know fast routines when busier or not feeling it as much. I try to walk 30 mins every day and do yoga 2-3 times a week so it's not as much as some and can look on YouTube x
YouTube has been a blessing so many times! It also keeps my workouts nice and fresh!
Luckily I don't have to travel for work and I think I'd have to have a week off if I went away, unless I could find a gym near me that did powerlifting :/ I'll check out your youtube recommendations, they look good! Have you heard of Fitness Blender on youtube? They do some great workouts 🙂
I literally just stumbled across that channel today… But liked what I saw!
What would you say is the best way to start a fitness routine for someone whose free time is taken up with looking after their child? I really want to start…
The slight blessing with children is there is often a routine. When they eat, and best of all when they nap! I personally wouldn't bother with a gym, it will become a pain because you won't always be able to get away or get child care. I would start by using one of those apps with a fitness course to follow. It gives you the flexibility to do it as and when you want, and in short bursts. I would highly recommend Shaun T's Insanity DVD course or his T-25 one as you can do them at home. And the T-25 is high intensity for 25 mins. Another option (and one I would start with) going for walks with your child. If they are a baby, for them to be in the stroller and just start monitoring your steps up to 10k. Obviously when you start to feel fitter look into running clubs and leisure centres as they often have creches on site. But main thing start small because it is less stress on you and more manageable whilst taking care of your child. Hope that helps a little
When we are travelling, I try to walk as much as possible, swim at the pool and keep active! 🙂
Ooh I have Charlottes DVD but not used it yet. Must give it a go!!
If I ever work away, I don't really exercise as I'm too busy but I'm rushing about and walking loads so that kind of makes up for it. When on holiday, I go to the hotel gym xxx
I try and stay in hotels with gyms so I can keep on top of my workouts on holiday x
I will have a look at the apps. I'm starting yoga and plan to build my running back up x
I think it can be really difficult finding an happy medium. Going to check out some of these Apps x
Great tips for those who work out and who travel – there's no excuse now.
Sworkit is also another good app to use! When I'm away I always get in the mind state that I'm there to relax, especially because I don't go on business trips! On my next trip I really would like to be more active because running on the beach just sounds wonderful!
I don't have a workout schedule that I stick to, but if we go away I tend to try and walk lots and swim as much as possible! 🙂 x
I struggle to workout when I travel but then i normally do it when the kids are at school and there is none of that on holiday.
Great tips and a great workout outfit. I wish I worked out whilst on holiday, does lounging on the beach count lol! Xxx
It's a good idea to take your workout with you. I learnt desk exercises so I could keep somewhat fit when working long hours
I tend to find I'm a lot more active when I go on holiday, swimming, lots of walking and fresh air.
I struggle with working out in general, so I know I would struggle if I had to work out while away.
I am pretty good at exercising when I am home but tend to fall off the wagon when away. The only saving grace is how much walking seems to get done when you are exploring!
This is a major problem for me! It's always after a holiday that I fall off the fitness bandwagon so I try to do YouTube vids in the hotel rooms!
We always have a laptop or a tablet with us, so we could fit a work out in that way. I'd love to run somewhere new though, perhaps I need to start planning for that
I must admit the only exercise i do when I go away is walking or swimming. I should try and keep it up x
I'm looking into the whole healthy eating and fitness thing lol, no really I am I was thinking of getting some of davinas F&F sportswear, and I used to watch blogates.
When monkey settles in nursery the three days a week I will expand into Pilates and other things
I love the fitness outfit. I do the MUTU system which is on my laptop but wish I could stream it to the TV
We have two homes, one for monday – friday and one for the weekends. I have to remember to stay on schedule, cause you can easily get sidetracked!
It's great you don't "leave your routine" at home when you travel. I think even running in the new place is a great motivation- new buildings, views, new people on your way! But it's important to make sure you can easily find your way back!:D
I like the idea of using apps because at least it is interactive and like you said you can pop some music in x
Great post! Love the suggestions for apps .. I'm always on the hunt for new ones
It's definitely important to try your best to keep your workout routine going even when you're not at home or when you're out of the country. Apps these days are really going to help you, especially since there are exercises and fitness regimens that make use of apps!
I like the second option more as I wouldn't like to go running when I'm not home. Thanks for the tips!
Mika
I keep to my routine but I lighten it a bit when I go away, especially if I'm away on vacation. When there's sun and sand, the treadmill is just not appealing.
Totally agree, its so important to keep active even when traveling. My hubby and I usually try to get some form of workout done before we begin our day while traveling all all the walking we do also helps us keep up with our regimen.
xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com
In my past job I was constantly on road for months. It gets so hard to control what you are eating while travelling, working out is definitely a must for me when I am travelling. Love those leggings
Love your leggings!! & thanks for some nice tips! Helps while travelling!
I usually workout in the evenings so it's a bit hard to do that if you're on vacation and everyone wants to go out and like eat or drink. But, it would be nice to change my routine when I travel so I could do the workouts even when I am away, because it's hard to get back on a track when you've been away.
Fitness has to become part of your lifestyle.I always following my routine but it's really hard to follow when i traveled now your article really inspire me for do my exercise easily.
Having a nice little read here and commenting on your post a year later! We’re off to Tenerife soon and I’m thinking of my fitness while we’re there. I’m sure we’ll be swimming and cycling, but I’m also going to take my travel yoga mat and tablet so I can do my yoga. Two good sites and apps are Do Yoga With Me and Movement For Modern Life. You can download two or three classes in case of buffering so it’s easy to do when you’re away.