Many corporate people I know often tell me how travelling and exercise don’t mix. FIFO workers usually have the same story as well although some work sites are now equipped with gyms.
My question is always simply…..why?
As you can imagine I get some pretty good excuses why these people don’t exercise when they are on the road. Things like the hotel gym don’t have my favourite machine, the fees to use the fitness equipment are too high or I never seem to be able to wake up early enough when I stay in a hotel (maybe spent too long in the bar the night before).
Keeping a fitness program going while you are travelling need not be an arduous chore. In fact, it is a good chance to change up what you do to relieve the tedium of your normal routine providing a bit of fun and interest to your fitness. You could hit the streets early for a walk or jog and get to know the city, go for a swim or maybe hire a bike and go for a ride.
Apart from that, there are a number of travel-friendly pieces of exercise equipment that will easily fit in your bag and allow you to have a good workout either in your room or a local park.
Here are 5 pieces of fitness equipment for travelers I recommend and they won’t add too much extra weight to your luggage but are plenty good enough to keep your fitness on track.
1. Resistance Bands
I love these things – they are as effective as they are portable, give you a great workout, and weigh less than a kilogram. By their nature, resistance bands are flexible and versatile and you can work both your upper and lower body either in your room or in a nearby park. I have found using resistance bands I can copy most exercises I do in the gym with the bands and my own body weight. For me, these are the best when it comes to serious fitness equipment for travel.
2. Skipping or Jump Rope
Skipping is a great cardio workout and you can do a great workout in just twenty minutes that will strengthen the lower body, give your heart a good workout, and burn heaps of calories all at the same time. A jump rope is a cheap piece of equipment that takes up very little space and provides a high-impact workout in a short space of time.
3. Yoga Mat
You don’t need much space to do Yoga and it is a great heart starter for the rigors of the day ahead. The benefits of Yoga include increased blood flow, improved flexibility, it will help build muscle and relaxes both your body and mind. For these reasons alone it is a great way to change your exercise routine during those trips where you can’t engage in your normal workout programs. Finding a travel yoga mat that will fit into your suitcase will not be difficult as most famous yoga brands offer a whole line of yoga mats solely designed specifically for travelling.
4. Swimming Gear
Swimming is a low-impact and therapeutic form of exercise. You can make it as easy or as hard as you like so it can be an activity that will make your trip more enjoyable. So if you are going to be near the beach or your hotel has an all-weather then make sure to pack your swimming gear.
5. Fitness Tracker
A fitness tracker like the popular Fitbit or the Garmin Fitness Band can be a huge help when you are on a business trip or travelling for pleasure. Gadgets like these can help and encourage you to move more and engage in a beneficial amount of physical activity throughout the day. The best part is they take absolutely no space in your suitcase as you just simply strap it to your arm, chest, or wrist depending on the model.
So there you have it. Five of the best travel-friendly workout tools that are affordable, take very little room in your bag, and prevent you from the notorious “travel weight gain”.
So, make sure you pack something from my list of fitness equipment for travelers on your next trip. Your body will thank you for it when you get back home.
“It isn’t what you did in the past that will affect the present. It’s what you do in the present that will redeem the past and thereby change the future.” – Paulo Coelho.
Stay strong – cheers – John – your Active Ageing Mentor and Coach.
P.S. Help a friend improve their health and happiness – like and share. Thanks.
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