When I think of vacation, I think of having fun and not having to worry about my day-to-day routine back home. But if going to the gym is part of your daily ritual, it might be a good idea to keep it up, even when you’re away. Here are some tips for squeezing fitness into your travel schedule:
- To work out, or not to work out? First things first, working out while on vacation may not “work out” for everyone. If you’re in dire need of a break, think of your vacation as a temporary rest. Your body needs some time off from physical exertion every once in awhile to recuperate and recharge. I sometimes plan my rest periods ahead of time when I know I’ll be on vacation – that way I don’t feel guilty about skipping workouts in favor of relaxing at the hotel pool.
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Scope out the on-site gym. If you’re on a cruise ship or staying at a major hotel chain, chances are there’s a gym or fitness room nearby. When you first arrive, check out the room and equipment, so you can plan your workouts ahead of time. You may need to get creative with what the gym has to offer – but any exercises you can do are better than none at all.- Find a local fitness club. If your hotel doesn’t have a gym, be on the lookout for a local fitness club. If you have a multi-club membership to a national gym, you may be able to exercise for free. If not, find a gym that offers one-time or weekly passes. A small fee will give you temporary access to all the equipment you need to get the job done.
- Discover other ways to exercise. Even if there’s no gym nearby, you can take your workout to the streets, or incorporate it into your vacation – rent a bike to go sightseeing, take a hike with your family or swim some laps at the beach or pool.
