Exercise Tips While You’re on Vacation

 There are a lot of fun and exciting things to do while you’re on vacation. The idea of fun for many includes plenty of good food and lounging beside the pool. Although you definitely deserve a chance to relax and indulge, you don’t want your health and fitness to go out the window.

If you exercise on a regular basis while you’re at home, you should continue to exercise while you’re on vacation. But, how do you do that? Here are a few tips.

Make a Plan

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you’ll just work out when you have time. If you don’t make a plan, there will always be something more fun to do. Before you know it, you’ll be getting back on the plane to head home without having exercised even once.

Plan exercise into your day. Exercising first thing in the morning is one of the most convenient ways to squeeze it in without interfering with the rest of your day.

Exercise doesn’t have to be hard! If you’re staying in a city, like New York City, you can plan to walk everywhere instead of taking a cab or the subway. You can even rent daily storage space that’s perfect for keeping your workout clothes. That way, you don’t have to lug them around with you while you’re exploring the city.

Choose a Hotel With a Gym

Working out is a lot easier when you don’t have to leave the hotel to do it. If using workout equipment is important to you, look for a hotel with a decent gym.

Some hotel chains are more gym-friendly than others. A few chains to search for as you travel the world include:

  • TRYP by Wyndham has rooms that come with their own exercise equipment.
  • Fairmont Hotels and Resorts can provide you with workout apparel and free bike rentals.
  • EVEN Hotels include a flex room where hotel staff leads fitness classes.
  • Hyatt Hotels and Resorts hire fitness concierges who can help you with running routes.

Work out in Your Room

What’s better than not having to leave the hotel to work out? Not having to leave your room!

Whether your hotel has a gym or not, there are a lot of ways you can stay fit and flexible without having to go anywhere to burn a few calories.

Just a few of the many exercises you can do in your room include:

  • Calf raises and squats will keep your legs strong.
  • Bed sit-ups are a convenient way to work on your core.
  • Floor stretches are great if you sit a lot on vacation.
  • Forearm planks are perfect for maintaining overall fitness.

Working out in your room doesn’t have to be so formal. Put on some music and dance! It’s an especially good way to make sure everyone gets a little exercise if you’re traveling with kids.

Look for a Local Workout Class

There are a lot of benefits of getting to know the locals when you’re on vacation. They can help you find the best restaurants, they can clue you in to events that are taking place during your stay, and it’s a great way to make friends you can visit again in the future.

There are many ways to meet the locals while you’re traveling, but one of the best is to sign up for a local fitness class. Not only will you get some exercise, it’s something fun to do, and you’ll have the chance to meet residents who live in the area.

Be Prepared to Wash Your Workout Clothes

Working out on vacation can be a hassle. That’s because all those workout clothes can take up a lot of space in your luggage. Instead of packing multiple pairs of leggings or spending money on workout clothes when you get to your destination, know how you’ll wash your clothes.

Many hotels have laundry facilities. Make sure you ask if they are self-serve, or if you have to talk to a housekeeper for help washing your stinky gym clothes.

It’s fairly easy to wash your clothes by hand. A small sink, some lukewarm water, and some detergent or dish soap can keep your clothes clean so you only have to bring one workout outfit on vacation.

If you don’t actually know how you’ll squeeze in a little exercise while you’re on vacation, you probably won’t do it. Follow the tips on this list and you will actually make time for exercise while you’re away from home.