
I’ve already touched on ways to stay healthy and combat sickness while traveling, but how about if you want to keep in shape?
For those who keep up on eating healthy, working out, and generally staying in shape, taking a week or longer off can really put a damper on your physical goals. Here are a few ideas to help keep up your fitness while traveling.
1. Go for a run
Why not start your day off with a nice run? Head out in the morning for a run down the beach or wherever you may be. Scenic outdoor destinations will probably be more encouraging than others.
2. Find a local gym
If you have a gym pass at home check and see if your gym has locations where you’ll be traveling. Some cities will have local gyms that will allow you to work out for a small fee. I found a tiny gym in Quepos, Costa Rica that only charged $2 per workout. Many larger hotels also have their own gym facilities.
3. Walk
If you’re considering hopping on the subway for a few stops, driving or even taking a taxi, why not just walk? Some cities are best experienced by foot anyway.
4. Outdoor Activities
Are there any hiking trails where you’ll be going? What about other activities like rock climbing or rafting? If you’re staying at a beach, go for a swim or rent a surfboard. Do anything you can to enjoy the outdoors and be physically active at the same time.
5. Eat healthy
I’m not one to pass up the local cuisine, but you might want to do so in moderation. Skip candy bars and chips for snacks and look for fresh fruit stands when you’re between meals.
6. Drink plenty of water
Most people don’t drink enough water during the day when at home, let alone while traveling. This is especially important if you’re doing a lot of physical activity and sweating. If you are somewhere warm and not used to warmer climates, realize that you’ll need a lot more water than you are used to. Carry a bottle or two with you all the time.
7. Exercise in your room
Can’t make it to the gym? If your workout usually consists of weight lifting, do some push ups and sit ups in your room. You can also use your bed or a chair for dips and other body weight exercises.
8. Carry your own luggage
Carry your own backpack or luggage if possible. Don’t bother paying porters at the airport or your hotel when you could be doing it yourself and getting a quick and easy workout at the same time.
9. Try a martial art
Whether you are already into martial arts or not, consider trying a local gym. Many will give you a free guest pass just to check them out while others will charge a small fee for your participation in their program. Boxing and Brazilian jiu jitsu are two things I train in and it’s common for students to travel to other gyms and take classes with various well-known teachers. You can even schedule a private lesson with some coaches to get a taste of their training. You’ll almost always learn something new and different than your current regimen.
10. Rent a bike
Whether you want to go on a nice long bike ride or just use one as an alternative means of transportation, bicycles are typically pretty cheap and readily available in most places. Cities like Paris even have bike rental kiosks around the city that are available 24 hours a day with your credit card AND you don’t have to return it to the same place. It’s a great system.
If you have any other tips on staying, or getting in shape while traveling please feel free to share them in the comments below.
If you like this article please consider subscribing to our RSS or Email feed or following @HavePack on Twitter.