How to Stay Active While Traveling

Are you planning a vacation and wondering how to stay active while traveling? We know that it can be difficult to stick to your exercise regime when you’re not at home. But just because you’re traveling doesn’t mean you have to give up on an active lifestyle. With a little planning, you can still keep fit no matter where you are in the world.

In this article, we’ll share 9 different ways to stay fit and healthy while you’re on vacation or traveling!

How to Stay Active While Traveling

Choose Accommodation with Fitness Facilities

Staying in a hotel with an on-site gym is one of the easiest ways to stick to your exercise regime. They’re free and often located right on the property, so you don’t have to travel far.

If you like to swim, you can also look for a hotel with a pool. Or if you’re traveling somewhere more remote, look to see if there are nature trails or hiking paths located nearby. It’s far easier to incorporate exercise into your travels when you don’t have to commute to a far away gym or fitness facility.

Try Hotel Room Body Weight Exercisers

If you don’t have access to a gym, then you can still workout in your room. You may not have cardio machines or dumbbells, but there are exercises you can do that don’t require any equipment.

For example, push-ups, squats, lunges, planks, and burpees can all be done right in your hotel room. If you aren’t sure how to execute those exercises correctly, you can follow along with an instructional video. There are tons of great (and free) resources online with instructors to guide you through a video workout.

Explore the Local Area by Foot

A great way to combine exercise and traveling is to plan a walk. Instead of riding a taxi or using public transportation, consider exploring your destination on foot. Don’t be afraid to wander or get lost – you never know what exciting things you’ll find by strolling through the area. You can also choose to join a walking tour in order to learn more about the area (and to help you get your steps in!)

Go for a Hike

Staying somewhere near a forest, lake, or mountain? Then look up a trail and embark on a scenic hike! Not only will you be able to see something new while traveling, but you can get in a few full of exercise while you’re at it. Just don’t forget to pack a pair of durable hiking shoes or boots in your bag!

Walk or Jog at the Beach

Did you know that walking or jogging on the uneven terrain of a beach you make your muscles work 30% harder than on a flat surface? Walking on the sand will make you burn 2.7 more energy than walking on a regular terrain.

Look into Bicycle Rentals

A bike ride is another fun and easy way to stay active while traveling. Choose a nature trail or cycle path nearby to burn some extra calories. Or use a bike instead of calling a taxi or taking a bus to go sightseeing. Not only is it a great way to keep fit, but it’s also more environmentally friendly!

Ask your hotel if they have bikes available to guests. If not, you can also look into local bike rental facilities. You can also look into buying a foldable e-bike that’s easy to travel with. These space-saving cycles can easily be tossed in the back of your camper van or even checked in for a flight.

Join Local Fitness Classes

You can also look for a local fitness class in your destination. It shouldn’t be hard to find a yoga studio, spinning class, or gym that offers day passes or one-off classes.

Depending on where you are, there may also be organized community sports or activities. Look online or ask your accommodation or hotel concierge about running groups, outdoor fitness classes, or intramural sports that you can join. If you’re a solo traveling, this is also a fantastic way to meet new people!

Pack Your Workout Clothes and/or Fitness Equipment

One of the biggest mistakes people make when traveling is forgetting to pack workout gear. If you’re planning on going to the gym or joining a class, then you’ll want to bring clothes with you on vacation. You may also want to bring portable fitness equipment to use in your room (like a resistance band, for example).

Don’t Forget About Nutrition

When traveling, a good diet is equally as important as exercise. So in addition to fitting in a workout, you should also be strategic about what you eat. Aim to limit your intake of fats, carbs, and alcohol while eating as many veggies and fruits as you can.

We know that eating healthy on vacation can be hard, but remember that it’s all about balance. It’s okay to indulge a little bit as long as don’t go overboard.

It can also help to choose accommodation with kitchen facilities. Cooking isn’t just cheaper than eating out, it’s also much healthier. This also allows you to keep a diet you would have at home and to maintain control over what you eat.

Get Enough Sleep

It can be tempting to stay up late (you’re on vacation, after all!). But getting a good night’s rest is vital to staying healthy while you’re traveling. Sleep and exercise are highly correlated, and rest is very important for muscle recovery and energy. Therefore, you’ll want to make sure you get enough sleep to make sure you can fully enjoy all aspects of your trip.

It can be difficult to know exactly how to stay active while traveling. While it can be challenging to stick to a routine, these tips can help you maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. And what about improving your fitness regime at home?  A treadmill or rowing machine can both provide full-body, cardio workouts. We also have a list of other at-home gym equipment that can help you get in shape in a matter of no time!