Workouts That Travel
Author: Lynn Bode, owner of www.workoutsforyou.com
A vacation can do wonders for reducing stress levels, but it can derail a
healthy fitness regimen. Even some of the most die-hard exercisers find it
difficult to stick with a workout program when away from home. Sure, many have
good intentions. They may even pack their workout attire. Unfortunately, their
gear never makes it out of the suitcase until they're back home.
But travel from home doesn't have to result in an interruption or complete
abandonment of your healthy habits. You can still fit in exercise time when away
from home, regardless of whether you find yourself in a warm or a cold climate.
Even if bad weather forces you into seclusion in your hotel room, there are
exercises you can complete without a single piece of equipment. Below are some
tips to help you stay fit while traveling and avoid coming home with unwanted
extra baggage.
- Be realistic. You probably won't be able to fit in your normal weekly
workouts and that's okay. Shoot for completing at least 50% of your normal
regimen.
- Plan ahead. Before leaving town, find out what type of workout facilities your
accommodations will have or if there is a nearby park of jogging track (weather
permitting, of course).
- Scope out local gyms. If you are staying somewhere that doesn't provide a
workout area then inquire at the nearby local fitness centers for their rates.
Often they offer day passes for minimal fees.
- Pack a resistance band in your suitcase. The band takes up very little space,
yet can provide you with an entire upper and lower body workout routine.
- Don't deprive yourself of all local delicacies. You can enjoy some special
meals without going overboard. Ask the restaurants to prepare your favorite
dishes with a few lower fat ingredients.
- Be creative. Find unique, fun ways to exercise instead of doing the same
routine you do when you are at home. Try biking, hiking, a pedal boat excursion,
water-skiing, beach volleyball, etc. Effective workouts aren't limited to the
standard fares of walking, jogging and fitness machines.
- Try out your travel routine at least once at home. A new workout that you've
never done before will require more time and preparation. This type of
frustration just makes for an easy excuse to skip the workout.
- Prepare snacks. If your journey includes a lot of time in the car, be sure to
pack some healthy snacks so you aren't forced to eat at all the fast food and
convenience shops along the way.
- Play in the pool. If lounging poolside is part of your vacation plans, then
hop in the pool every 20 minutes for 5-10 minutes of pool walking (try it in
waist-deep or higher water for a really challenging workout).
- Get comfortable. Don't forget to pack comfortable workout attire that fits
your destination's climate.
Here is a quick, simple circuit workout that only requires a resistance band
and can be done anywhere. Complete at least one set of 8-12 reps of each
exercise.
- Bicep Curl
- Tricep Dip
- Lat Pull Down
- Front Raise
- Push-Up
- Squat
- Abductor lifts
- Adductor splits
- Hamstring Kicks
For detailed instructions for each of the above exercises, visit www.workoutsforyou.com/travel_plan.htm
_______________________________
Lynn Bode offers her personal training services online through
WorkoutsForYou.com. Workouts For You provides even the busiest of people
affordable, personalized exercise programs (via the Internet) for losing weight,
toning-up, building muscles & increasing stamina. Our programs can be
designed for use at or away from home.
Membership includes one-on-one fitness consultation, animated exercise demos and
much more. Visit www.workoutsforyou.com
for a FREE sample workout.
