We’ve all been there, we get back from a holiday only to realize that we have brought a unwanted souvenir with us. One study tracked 195 people and showed that there was an average gain of 0.37kg per person over the holiday period. What’s more alarming is that this additional weight was not lost during the following year but slowly accumulated.
One of the simplest ways to avoid this is to make sure that you get in some exercise while you are on holiday or your road trip. Fortunately, getting your workout in while travelling has never been easier!
If you don’t have access to a gym on your upcoming road trip, don’t fret. We’ve put together ten of the best ways to stay in shape on the road so that you never have to miss a workout.
Spice up your next travel experience with some of the best and most-effective on-the-go workouts available.
Our comprehensive guide below will tell you some of the best equipment to purchase ahead of your next trip! We’ll also tell you some effective tips to get your workout in no matter where you go.
- TRX GO Suspension Trainer System
Priced at $99.95 on Amazon, the TRX GO Suspension Trainer System is the perfect alternative to hotel gyms when you are on the go. Designed for individuals who lack gym access and are in the need of a quick and effective workout, the TRX GO Suspension Trainer System is a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to stay in shape while on the road.
This system can be used anywhere that has a door that can be fully closed. Its lightweight design is ideal for travel, and, for the price, you are receiving a quality workout. Watch out, however, for the odor. The pads in the TRX system are highly absorbent, meaning they will start to smell if used consistently with no cleaning.
Overall, you should consider investing in the TRX GO Suspension Trainer System if you plan to take an extended trip. There’s no better way to get in those coveted strength exercises, particularly when you lack gym access. This system is designed for people like you who are short on alternatives and are looking for an effective fix.
The best part?
This TRX training system offers you a balanced workout so that you don’t have to worry about missing any part of your exercise while on vacation or on business. Used every day, this system will make sure that you stay on top of your fitness goals and return home looking as good as ever.
- Pocket Monkii
It can be difficult finding a gym on the road, so it’s a good idea to take some fitness equipment of your own.
That’s where Pocket Monkii comes in.
Pocket Monkii, a portable fitness brand, makes equipment that’s perfect to take on the road so you can stay in shape no matter where you go.
Currently, Pocket Monkii offers eight fitness devices to take on your next trip. From their adventure kit to their monkii bars, Pocket Monkii offers a full line of equipment designed for a targeted workout.
Because their equipment boasts an extremely light-weight build, Pocket Monkii’s products are perfect for extended travel.
With Pocket Monkii, you can work out from your hotel room or in any open space like a park and enjoy the peace of mind that you never have to miss a workout.
Don’t let your next trip keep you from exercising. Now you can get the same great workout even on the road, meaning you never have to worry about getting out of shape.
- Plan Your Meals
No matter your situation, it’s always a good idea to plan your meals if you are looking to lose weight or to stay in shape. The reality is that keeping up with your health and figure takes a lot of strategy and hard work. This is why it’s especially important to plan ahead if you are going to be on the road for any significant period of time.
As a rule, you should have a general idea of what you are going to eat every day. While you don’t need to plan everything down to the last calorie, you should know what food groups you should eat and which ones you should avoid. Because it can be harder to have convenient access to the food you need while you are travelling, make sure you bring as much food as possible with you on your trip. This will ensure that you have at least a portion of what you need on a daily basis, and it will also prevent you from straying too far from your diet.
Planning your meals can help you avoid the allure of fast food chains as you stay on the move. It’s incredibly easy to fall off the path (no pun intended) and find yourself gorging on unhealthy items. Avoid this temptation by knowing what to eat and when to eat it.
If your diet and exercise routines require a specific caloric intake, preparing your meals ahead of time helps prevent you from falling off track—even when you’re busy doing other things.
It’s possible that you may find it best to do some meal prep ahead of time and have your food more-or-less prepared for your journey. Depending on the length of your journey, you might find it suitable to take a cooler with your prepared meals, so that you have a safe and healthy food alternative while on the road.
This helps keep you within your required intake amounts, so that you can lose or gain the weight that you need.
It also reduces the stress and the hassle required of finding good food on the road so that you can focus on things that matter even more—like the quality of your workout routine.
If you have an upcoming trip and haven’t planned or prepared your meals yet, now’s the time to make a change.
- Bring Your Running Shoes
Even if you stay on the go, you should be able to find the time to do at least a little running. It’s important that you keep up with your cardio as you travel. The best part about running is that you don’t need any fancy equipment to do it. All you need is a good pair of shoes.
If possible, check for residential or community areas nearby where you can run or jog with no interference. A quick jog in the morning before you start your daily trip will help you get your mind fresh, while also making sure that your body stays in tip-top shape. In general, you want to get your cardio in early, and not just because it’s better not to run at night. If you wait too long, you may find that you are too tired to do your exercises, and even missing one day could throw off your entire schedule. The weather is also a factor for areas where the mid-day heat can soar enough to be dangerous.
If you’re not sure where to start on running shoes, consider buying from a well-known brand. Remember that different shoes are designed for different aspects of running. For example, if you are looking for something with stability, you may want to check out the Saucony Peregrine 7. If you are looking for something famous for its cushion, you can’t go wrong with the Hoka One One Bondi 5. A quality pair of both (or most other running shoes) will run you about $100 (see what I did there?), but this is a small price to pay for on-the-go exercise.
While the decision is ultimately up to you, there’s nothing better than a good pair of running shoes if you are looking to stay in shape while on the road. You’ll always be prepared to get in a last-minute workout—and it’s just good to get out and stretch your legs every now and then.
- Walk if Possible
Whether you are travelling for business or simply going on a vacation, there’s a good chance that you will have to drive or find a cab once you reach your destination. If possible, try to avoid these other means of transportation. If where you need to go isn’t too far away, you may want to consider walking.
Walking boosts your cardiovascular health and keeps your body fit and trim. It also allows you to soak up the scenery around you (which is often the real goal of travel). You want to make sure that your body is getting the exercise it deserves. And remember: even if you don’t have the time or the equipment necessary to perform any “fancy” exercises, you always have time to walk.
So don’t take the elevator in your hotel. Climbing the three flights of stairs is much more beneficial. Avoid taking the bus and walk the extra mile or so to your destination. By doing so, you will ensure that your vacation or business trip doesn’t derail your exercise goals or get in the way of your fitness plan. Instead, you will be able to turn your trip into a physically-beneficial (and hopefully mentally and spiritually beneficial) experience.
- Jump Ropes ($15)
While travelling, it’s important to keep in mind exercises you’ll be able to do on the go.
It’s also a good idea to try and find light-weight equipment that can be used for a targeted exercise regime.
Jump ropes are perfect for your trip because they allow for a flexible workout routine. This means, you’ll be able to use them for more than one exercise—if you so choose.
In this way, you can cut down on equipment costs while still getting the maximum results from your workout.
With jump ropes, you are going to need a little more of an open space than a hotel room (you especially don’t want to disturb your neighbors below you), so consider finding an open environment where you can stop to get your workout on.
Local parks are a great place to start getting into shape with short, but intense, workout sessions.
Jump ropes allow you to perform a variety of exercises that mainly focus on your lower body and leg strength. They’re also great for cardio and can help you shed pounds fast.
If you’re unable to locate a track to go running, jump ropes provide a perfect high-intensity cardio alternative.
Make sure that you’re getting plenty of cardio in while on the road, as sitting for extended periods of time has been known to cause fatal blood clots.
Stopping your trip for routine exercise is a great way to prevent complications and to help stay in shape while travelling.
If you’re really looking to get the most out of your workout, consider finding a jump rope routine online that can add a little extra challenge. These routines can add variety to your workout and help make them more rewarding.
- Fitbit
To help monitor your health and your workout progress, consider investing in a Fitbit device.
Fitbit helps keep track of your daily steps, quality of sleep, heart rate, and other important fitness details.
Wearing a Fitbit can help better your on-the-road exercise in multiple ways:
- Motivator—Fitbit can be a motivator by showing you just how far you’ve come. By being able to monitor your daily fitness progress, you’ll know just where you stand.
When you do well, you’ll be able to get instant feedback from your Fitbit, giving you the encouragement and the mindset you need to continue your workout routine.
Remember: exercise is hard, and it can be even harder on the road as you deal with the burden of travel. Make it easier by investing in a device that can give you crucial insight into the quality of your workouts and of your overall health. By doing so, you’ll offer yourself additional motivation to stick your workout plans even while travelling.
- Progress—If you’re committed to keeping in shape while on the road, Fitbit is a valuable tool. By being able to see where you stand in relation to your fitness goals, you’ll know exactly what you need to do to bolster your workout routine.
Several Fitbit products are available, so make certain that you choose one that can best help you in achieving your personal workout goals.
As you can see, wearing a Fitbit can help keep you on track so that you’re meeting your daily workout goals no matter the time or the place!
- Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are important if you’re looking to keep up your strength training.
These highly-portable bands can be taken anywhere, and you can use them even if you don’t have other equipment.
Resistance bands are great in that they can supplement your body-weight exercises. This means that they can add some extra challenge to workouts you can do anywhere—even in your hotel room.
For example, you can stand on the bands and raise your arms shoulder height to add extra resistance to your squats.
Or, if you’re near a post or a tree, you can get an awesome triceps workout by pushing against your own body weight.
Resistance bands are relatively cheap, too, so if you don’t already own a pair, you don’t have to cough up a massive investment to keep in shape on the road.
Along with your jump ropes, resistance bands are perfect for helping you achieve the perfect workout at little-to-no cost. Both can dramatically increase the intensity of your workout, giving you better results despite being away from the gym.
- Take Advantage of Your Surroundings
This tip requires you to use your unique surroundings to stay on top of your fitness goals. Are you near a beach? If so, go swimming whenever possible. Even if you are travelling for business, this is good exercise that you almost certainly can make time for.
Are you going to a wooded or mountainous area? Bring your hiking gear to experience a great workout while soaking in the scenery. No matter the situation, you should be able to find something around you to get in a good workout.
This is true even if you are travelling through a big city. Even without fancy equipment or going to the gym, you can find many exercises to do around town. Walking, of course, is a great option, but you can also go to local parks and perform many exercises you might normally perform at home. This is a great opportunity to break out that exercise ball or simply do some push-ups. No one will judge you. If you practice any sort of martial art or discipline, this is also a good place to do so. It’s not uncommon in many parks to find people doing tai-chi or yoga, so there’s no shame in joining the club.
Don’t forget about the benefits you can get from your phone, either! You’ve got a personal computer tucked away on your person at all times, and if you really want to make the best of the moment, you can use it to look up some great on-the-road workouts.
Browse through several workout options until you find a routine that works with your environment. Get creative exercise ideas from some of the Internet’s leading fitness gurus to help add an extra layer to your daily workouts.
With this ability at your disposal, you can turn almost any environment into a high-powered gym that suits your workout needs. Make ineffective workouts a thing of the past and ditch your excuses by taking your workouts to the next level. Skillfully combine your natural surroundings with workout techniques you already know and those you learn online for the ultimate exercise routine!
In doing so, you can stay in the best shape of your life even while travelling.
Remember: what’s important here is that you stay in shape while on the road. If you make this your primary objective, you will find that you are staying on top (and possibly even exceeding) of your fitness goals.
- Prepare to Take Care of Your Hygiene
As you plan your road-trip workouts, be aware that your hygiene will be of importance. Though it’s easy to overlook, don’t forget that you will need to pack an extra change of clothes to accommodate your daily workouts.
You’ll also have to be careful to plan your workouts for times when you won’t be left smelly and without a way to change.
If you go for a run in the morning, for instance, make sure that you’re not stuck without a shower and wearing your sweaty clothes all day.
It can be difficult to find a place to stop and shower—especially if you need to be on the road all day—but taking this extra time is an important part to maintaining proper hygiene and feelings of well-being.
Consider bringing an extra pair of clothes for each day of the trip and extra deodorant so you can get changed in a pinch.
Towels will also be beneficial, as you can use them to wash off quickly in the car. While not ideal, this can leave you looking, feeling, and smelling better.
Don’t let your workouts get the best of you. If you know you’re going to feel trapped and unable to workout because of hygiene issues, be sure to plan ahead of time.
This will allow you to maximize the efficiency of your workout routine without leaving you sweaty for extended periods while trapped in the car with others.
The Bottom Line
Establishing a proper workout routine for your trip is important to staying in shape.
If you’re dedicated to fitness, you know just how much of an effect missing even one day of your workouts can be.
The good news is, you never have to worry about missing out on your workouts because of travelling. With great, portable equipment available, you can take your workout to the next level no matter where you go.
By following the ten tips above, you can get the best on-the-road workout possible! Though we’re sure you’ll be happy to get back to the gym when you’re home, these great tips will help you get a top-grade workout as you travel.
