If you want to stay fit and work out even when you are travelling, then you have to motivate yourself somehow. And the best way to do that is by planning to exercise on your trip and packing fit.
When you get to your trip destination, the last thing you are going to want to do is get all sweaty and run for 4 miles. But, when you start unpacking and going through your workout clothes, you are bound to feel motivated to stick to your fitness regime.
Therefore, packing fit is already half the job done. The other half is keeping your promise to yourself, which will be easier to do once you see all that equipment protruding out of your favorite travel backpack. Here are a few tips on how to pack fit to stay fit, even when you are travelling.
Workout Clothes And Shoes
The key to staying fit while travelling is working out regularly. So, if you already have a workout routine, you should stick to it even when you are on the road. And don’t worry if your routine includes going to the gym – there are still plenty of exercises that you can do without all the hi-tech equipment.
But, you can’t really do them without the proper clothes. Have you ever tried running or working out in jeans? I know, it’s practically impossible! And if you pack fit, you will be more motivated to stick to your routine during your trip.
Naturally, you are going to need some sneakers, so be sure to pack those. Additionally, a comfortable, cotton t-shirt should also be on your packing list, as well as a tracksuit or at least one pair of leggings.
Lightweight & Portable Workout Equipment
Yes, there are plenty of exercises you can do without any equipment. But, if you actually bring some of them along on your trip, you are more likely to actually work out, right? It’s different when you see a resistance band poking out of your suitcase and begging you to use it. After all, you don’t want to feel like you brought something along with you for nothing.
You also want the equipment you bring to be lightweight, and to not take up much space in your luggage. Sure, packing a 10lb kettlebell might seem like a good idea, until you have to pay the fee for overweight luggage.
Instead, bring along some resistance bands or an inflatable exercise ball. These can be used in hundreds of different exercises, and they weigh very little. You can also pack a jump rope – it will take up virtually no space in your luggage, and it’s very useful if you want to also squeeze in some cardio!
Exercise (Yoga) Mat
An exercise mat will allow you to be able to exercise anywhere. You could do it in the comfort of your hotel room, on the balcony, or ever at the park or next to the pool – the possibilities are endless. Just pick a view you love, take out your mat and start working out.
You can do sit ups, push ups, donkey kicks and a variety of different exercises if you have a mat. In theory, you could also do them without one, but it will be much harder to motivate yourself to work out on a carpet or hardwood floors.
A yoga mat is also a key piece of equipment if you like to do yoga. It’s much easier to stay calm and relaxed when nothing is poking at your body, and your feet aren’t slipping on the floor. And it is going to take up very little space in your suitcase, so you don’t have an excuse not to bring it along!
Fitness Apps On Your Phone
You can also pack your phone full of useful fitness up that are going to send you push notifications and remind you to work out.
If you are a runner, then you can download a few apps that can help you find the best routes in the city you are visiting. Apps like Map My Run allow you to download running routes that are popular with other users from that area, which is very useful when visiting completely new territory.
On the other hand, there are also plenty of apps that you can use to do some more targeted exercises. And many of those apps will let you choose between workouts with equipment and plain old bodyweight workouts. This will help you customize your workout, so that you can’t use the lack of equipment as an excuse.
Another app you should regularly use is your phone’s built in pedometer. It will tell you how many miles you walked that day, and it should also tell you many calories you burned. So, to get the most out of it, you should set a goal beforehand. Let’s say that your goal is 10,000 steps every day; it’s a good alternative if you don’t have the time to get in a proper workout, and you’ll feel motivated to keep moving until you reach that goal.
