How To Maintain An Exercise Routine While Traveling

Sightseeing and exercising simultaneously - Eiffel Tower, Paris

When you travel there are a few comforts of home you leave behind, but with a little planning exercise does not have to be one of them. Exercising while traveling is a good way to keep up your routine and work off some excess calories you may accumulate while traveling. There a few ways to maintain an exercise routine while traveling that don’t require a lot of time and effort.

• Plan Walking Tours - If you are traveling for pleasure, plan some walking tours. There are plenty of sites to see and many locations offer walking tours of popular locations. This is a good way to really experience local culture and get a feel for the place you are visiting. It is also a great way to get in some exercise. Obviously if you are visiting the Great Wall of China this wouldn’t be
practical, but for most places there are bound to be local districts or attractions that are ideal for a walking tour.

• Use Facilities At Hotels - If you traveling for business or to a place not conducive to much walking, another option is to start at hotels that have exercise facilities. Many hotels have a full gym and in some cases it is open 24 hours for travelers to use at their convenience. Some hotels also have pool or spa facilities. A little checking beforehand can help find hotels offering these amenities.

• Exercise In Your Hotel Room - Some quick ways to get in some exercise in the hotel include putting a towel on the door and doing sit-ups or push-ups, walking up and down the steps, running or walking in the halls and doing light exercise such as jumping jacks or running in place before bed or first thing in the morning.

Some ways to get exercise before and during travel include:

• Do Random Stretches -
Travel often involved waiting. While waiting in line at the airport or on your way to your hotel room or waiting at the elevator or for a taxi, do some stretches. It’s a great way to limber up and get in some quick exercise.

• Walk Around - Got some time before your flight? Waiting for others in your party or other family members? Take some time to walk around and take in the local flavor or visit a few shops. If there are stairs, use those instead of the elevator or escalator.

• Quick Walking - Parts of travel involve the need to get somewhere quickly. Run or walk quickly between terminals at the airport or to your car in the parking lot.

• Squeeze your buttocks – As silly as this may seem, it’s a quick way to get exercise while standing around.

• Move Arms – While standing around or waiting lift your hands in the air or do air punches. It’s a good way to work off excess energy and get some quick exercise.

J. Steeple is a writer, blogger, and world traveler, when she is not busy with business litigation and raising her kids. She’s committed to staying fit in all facets of her life.