Personally, I feel minimal guilt (if any) if I scale-back the fitness while traveling. Honestly, there's probably a good reason why I'm on vacation in the first place...relaxation!
But who am I kidding? Most of us who live an active life feel out-of-sorts if we're NOT being active, even while on holiday. Our bodies (as well as our minds) are used to being in motion. For some, it's how we wake up in the morning. For others, it's part of our routine (after coffee or breakfast). Some rely on fitness to wind down before lights out.
What's a fitness junkie to do?
Let me introduce you to the fine art of compromise...
Unless you're on an extended vacation (for several weeks, for example), the odds are pretty good your overall fitness will not suffer if you go light on the sweat equity for a few days. If you're looking for a few options to keep you occupied, here are some suggestions:
If you're staying at a hotel, there may be a fitness center on site. If not, consider doing some tried and true calisthenics...jumping jacks, push-ups, mountain climbers, burpees, crunches, squats/lunges (just to name a few). Quite often, I do these body-resistance moves and incorporate them into a HIIT workout. Twenty minutes is just enough time to get a good sweat going without encroaching too much into your day's activities.
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| A sample of a hotel-room-HIIT session |
Take a hike. Again, depending on where you're vacationing, going on a hike is a great way to see some sights and get some exercise.
Go for a run. There may be some accessible trails or walkways near your place of lodging. If you're there over a weekend, maybe there's a local running group you could tag along with for a few miles (without the fear of getting lost). Depending on your level of comfort, you could go alone (just be mindful of your surroundings).
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How about a walking tour of some of the local landmarks? Even my little town has a mapped-out walking tour of 20 (or so) historic features in and around our downtown area.
And, of course, I have to suggest taking the stairs. Regardless of how many floors up our room is, I try to get in at least one climb each day. Whether it involves a 15-flight climb to the room, or a couple of sets of 5-flights jaunts, the climbing is a quick and effective cardio burn. A couple years ago, I did a makeshift HIIT workout outside, and utilized the outdoor stairs for part of it.
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Anyways, these are a few free (or very low-cost) suggestions. There's also the possibility of doing a drop-in class at a nearby gym, renting bikes, or even registering for a road race (if we weren't in the middle of a COVID situation, that is). Myself? I'd rather spend my money on travel-related fun rather than fitness expenses. To each his (or her) own, right?
When you're traveling, what do you do? Take a fitness break, or squeeze in a little activity?
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Excellent suggestions, Kim! As long as we can improvise, there are no limits to exercising while travelling.
ReplyDeleteI remember I was once on a business trip in India. Running outside was not an option and we were working crazy hours. Fortunately, the hotel had a 24 hour gym. So there I was, plodding away on the treadmill at midnight to squeeze in at least a little bit of running for the day.
I miss the good old days when I could find a race in close proximity to where we were vacationing. Hoping those days return! I've gotten pretty crafty at improvising, so I don't have trouble staying active...I just try to keep it fairly light and low-maintenance ;-)
DeleteI always work out on vacation, but it gets very casual. If we're on the beach, a short early morning beach run followed by a dip in the ocean is a must. A brief body weight workout does wonders. Taking a few days off is also legit.
ReplyDeleteI usually try to do something every day, even if it's "just" walking (preferably on a beach).
DeleteI love doing running tours when I travel! I haven't done many, but the ones I have done were fun.
ReplyDeleteI just go out the door usually & run when I'm somewhere new, LOL -- I guess it's the one time I don't want to plan!
I have never looked into doing a running tour...they do sound fun!
DeleteI always get in workouts while on vacation but they are definitely scaled back - no super long runs or anything like that.
ReplyDeleteReally love your suggestion and thanks for linking up!
I try to do a little something everyday, at home and while traveling. Like you, though, I don't get hard-core about it while traveling...light workouts and fairly short runs serve me quite well.
Deleteagree with it all and would add BIKE TOUR! we have very active holidays, even when we are away for weeks at a time. If we are marathon training, then we also do the long runs, though they could be adapted for the environment we're in. And don't forget to check and see if there is parkrun where you are vacationing ;-) that's a free TIMED 5K every saturday!
ReplyDeleteA bike tour would be fun! I honestly don't think about parkruns since we don't have them in my area. I wish we did have them, though!
DeleteI usually plan to run when I am away, either outside if I am comfortable or in the hotel fitness center. Some trips I end up not working out at all, which I am ok with. But I enjoy my runs so its nice to keep up with my routine when I can!
ReplyDeleteRunning is definitely my first choice in vacation fitness...but for me, it has to be outside or it won't happen ;-)
DeleteI love squeezing in a bit of activity and it usually takes the form of a hike, sightseeing by walking or going for a run. Running can be tricky when alone in a new place though. I remember when I had a work trip to Namibia I was hesitant to run for fear of getting lost and also safety (just not knowing if all areas were safe to run). I think had I been with a colleague who wanted to run I would have explored a lot more on the run.
ReplyDeleteWe spent a few days in San Francisco (almost five years ago). I waited for daylight, and just ran from our hotel...I kept the turns at a minimum (so I could find my way back easily). It was fun seeing some of the architecture in the downtown area!
DeleteActive vacations are my thing! I love to hike and bike and take advantage of water sports when I travel. We were supposed to be on vacation this week in Nantucket :(
ReplyDeleteI like walking everywhere, and going for runs (if possible). It was fun (and rather easy) finding the Washington Monument when I was in DC for the MCM last fall. My sense of direction is not my forte' but it's fun finding the landmarks on foot. I found the Bean in Chicago, all on my own, too LOL
DeleteAlthough I always have good intentions of hitting up the hotel gym (and have on longer trips) generally the only fitness that gets done on vacation is running. I am totally alright with that and I love exploring a new city by foot.
ReplyDeleteI prefer exploring on foot, as well. I usually will take a pass on a hotel gym and just do my own thing in my room (or explore the stairwell).
DeleteI have to say that I've never used a hotel gym when I've been on vacation. I like to get outside and explore. I always pack my running shoes. Depending on where I go, there's a lot of sightseeing or outdoor activities.
ReplyDeleteHotel gyms kind of creep me out, no matter how ritzy the place is. I did go to the gym at our Disney hotel (a couple years ago) because the daughter wanted me show me some exercise moves she'd learned in her strength class. Usually, though, I'm outdoors a well.
DeleteWhen I am traveling I will sometimes find a local running store to see if they have any group runs that I can join. I will also utilize the hotel gym and pool
ReplyDeleteI feel like the stairs should have been the first point. :) You and your stairs! I think I've used a hotel gym maybe twice? I'm just not that enthused by them. I'd rather my training suffer.
ReplyDeleteI love exploring a new city by going on a run! I like to wake up before the rest of my travel buddies to scope out places we should explore, eat and drink at later in the day. I can't wait to be able to travel again!
ReplyDeleteIf it's a short 2-3 day trip, I'll take a pas son fitness. However, if I'm gone longer, I will plan for at least one run day, or make use of the hotel gym. I also love doing more active things in our destinations, which helps keep me moving.
ReplyDeleteI love your dedication! I usually run when I am on vacation but that depends on where I go. When I went to Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru, I ran maybe once in Mexico but not in the other countries. When I went to San Francisco then I did get out and ran a few days.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up with us!