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Even the most consistent fitness enthusiast can struggle to keep up with a routine over vacation.
Depending on your plans, it might be challenging to take your workout with you. Those all you can eat breakfast buffets and pool-side cocktails add up fast and can spiral you off your workout routine in a hurry.
Take your workout on the go with these easy travel workout ideas to help you stay on track and enjoy your time off.
Scope out the hotel gym
One of the most obvious suggestions, but many hotels do have a fitness center! This is easy to scope out in advance on the hotel website and get a sense of what equipment is available.
Larger hotels/resorts may offer yoga or other classes. Look for community/event calendars when you check-in.
In a post COVID world, there may be sign-ups or limited space.
Do some bodyweight exercise
A bodyweight workout can be a simple way to exercise without any equipment.
Exercises like squats, lunges, push-ups, and dips work your major muscle groups.
Travel with a TRX
Speaking of bodyweight exercises, a TRX is the ultimate portable gym!
TRX is a type of suspension trainer for resistance training, in which you perform various bodyweight strength exercises anchoring yourself with straps. The angle of your body determines the level of difficulty.
TRX was invented by a Navy SEAL as a means to get a full-body workout while saving on space. With the door anchor attachment, you can take your total body resistance workout on the go.
Explore local gym passes or new client specials
If you’re looking for a more traditional gym experience, see if any local gyms offer a free pass to new clients. If you belong to a gym that’s a national chain, you may even be able to go with your existing membership. Inquire within.
Local studios may offer cheap new client specials for a week or so. Offerings will vary by
Local bike rentals
Many cities have bike rentals to explore and get some exercise at the same time. This is especially fun if there are parks and pathways along a waterway.
Free workouts on YouTube
With Wi-Fi available almost everywhere, it’s easier than ever to hit up YouTube for some free workouts. Visit my resources page for a list of free YouTube resources!
Grab a 10 min hotel room workout if you’re short on time and/or cash.
Or motivation, because something is better than nothing.
Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel for yoga and movement classes!
Walk to restaurants & attractions
Walking can be a great way to get your fitness in while on vacation. Instead of grabbing that Uber, walk to local restaurants and attractions.
You can also see if there are any walking tours in the area.
You might be surprised at your steps and calories for the day!
Try fitness apps
When all I have is an elliptical or treadmill option, I turn to guided audio workouts. It’s like I have my own personal class and passes the time better than listening to the same old 90s music songs.
My go-to app to make cardio machine workouts more exciting is Aaptiv.
On Aaptiv, you can pick your trainer, style of music, length, and intensity. I get a much better workout on cardio equipment following the audio class than if I was just phoning it in to kill time.
Aaptiv also has strength training, HIIT, yoga, pilates, and meditation. It’s like having your own personal trainer with you at all times.
Read my full review of Aaptiv here and get a 30-day free trial membership.
Bring a few resistance bands
Did you know you can get a killer strength workout with resistance bands? Bands are a lightweight and versatile strength training option.
Glute bands are much heavier than resistance bands and provide effortless lower body strengthening on the go. Some great exercises to use glute bands are donkey kicks, lateral walks, and bridges.
Take your strengthening on the go without sacrificing room in your carry on!
Start your fitness watch
Going on an active vacation?
Or maybe just anticipating logging miles around Disney?
All that walking counts too! Make it fun by tracking calories or steps with a fitness watch. I bet it’s more than you think.
For those who like a competitive edge, set up challenges with other friends or family on the trip.
Plan your routine the night before
Reverse engineer
Or breakfast, because that’s one of the great things about vacation.
Get back into your home routine ASAP
It’s easy to let things slide if you don’t have a plan. Before you know it, weeks have gone by. Make sure to get back into your regular routine ASAP to stay consistent. It might even help you combat those post-vacay blues.
Don’t forget to stay hydrated in those hot climates!
Featured image credit: Copyright Pixelrockstar
I needed this!
I’m currently away on holiday and it dawned on me that I wasn’t really doing much physically! My top this morning felt tight and uncomfortable so I need to get moving! Thanks for this fun reminder.
I always have the hardest time staying on track with my fitness and nutrition while on vacay. I think it’s ok to let loose a bit and enjoy, but going off the rails or completely giving up on my exercise routine always makes it so difficult to get back to it once I’m back home. I Love to find a nearby hike or long walking activities to keep me moving while having fun 🙂
Those definitely count as activity. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
This is such a helpful post, am sure people will be benefited from it. I, personally, plan to go for hikes and walks when on vacation. That way I get to shed some calories while enjoying some views on the trail.
Thanks, that’s a great way to stay active while on vacation.
Great tips! I especially love the one about getting back into your regular routine as soon as possible after getting back home from vacation. That is such a struggle for me but it really is important!
Thanks for reading!
Great suggestions! I always checkout the hotel gym as that is the quickest way to get your workout done (not to mention its already factored in the room price). Also, I make sure to use a fitness watch to keep track of my health metrics.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Great advice. It’s always a challenge, but I really try to make it a priority. Thanks for the tips.
Thanks, yes it’s important to prioritize.
All great suggestions. You nailed it with the WiFi. There are so many podcast of bay weight exercises available now. The only real thing holding a person back is the will to actually (quoting Shia LaBouf) “Just do it.”
Thanks for reading and commenting.
This is great advice! I never workout when I’m on vacation because I can never find the time, but maybe next time I’ll try doing a quick youtube workout in my hotel room! It’s better than nothing!
Thank you!
Solid advice. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you should completely forget about your workout or living healthy. In fact, I look at vacation time as self-healing time, and exercise should always be a part of that.
Absolutely, really easy to get off track. Thanks.
Really helpful post!! I NEVER manage to get back on track when I come back from my vacation 🙁 But I actually never tried just continuing to do the workouts! I’ll try those tips next time 🙂
Great post! I always check out the gym at all the hotels prior to booking! Sometimes I’m great at working out on vacation, and other times I just eat my weight in food instead hahaha
These tips are awesome. I have definitely been one to utilize the hotel gym to make sure I don’t get complacent. Also on vacation you tend to eat out a lot so these are great hacks. Thanks so much for sharing.
Wonderful post!