How do you stay fit while on the go?
Maintaining your fitness routine while out of town can be a challenge for many.
In fact, it might even fly straight out the window as your usual schedule gets turned upside down and you find yourself in a totally new environment.
This is where it can be easy to simply give it up all together, giving yourself permission to put it off until you get back home.
Whether you have a job that requires you to travel, you follow a nomadic lifestyle, or you simply are too busy to get to the gym on a regular basis there are many ways to stay active and fit with a busy lifestyle.
It's time to set any excuses to the side and get moving!
Find your favourite home workouts
In the age of the internet, who needs a gym!
For many of us we can feel overwhelmed by daily responsibilities that we just don't have time to get to a workout class or the gym. But lucky for you, these days you can bring the gym straight into your own home!
There now exists an unlimited selection of workouts to choose from online ranging from youtube videos to online classes to personalized training sessions. The list is endless. You don't even necessarily need equipment as many workouts only follow body weight exercises. All you need is your body!
Finding workouts that you enjoy and modifying them to keep you interested and challenged is key to staying consistent.
Prioritize movement during your day!
It's not just about working out, in fact, what will make the biggest difference for your health will be how much you move around during the day.
Though our lifestyle nowadays has largely shifted to a sedentary one, we can shift our daily routine by implementing new habits that challenge us to be on our feet more.
Do you usually drive to work or the grocery store? Walk or bike instead!
Do you usually park right by your work or the store? Park farther away and take extra time to walk!
When it comes to traveling, you can follow the same advice by choosing the most active way to get around as much as you can.
Simple changes like these in your lifestyle can quickly add up and make a big difference.
Short but sweet
If you're strapped for time, lose the all or nothing approach and work on small tangible goals. Remember, something is better than nothing at all!
You don't need to workout 1 hour every single day to receive the benefits, every little bit counts!
In fact, shorter workouts can actually be more efficient. For example, HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workouts have actually been shown to be a more effective and efficient form of exercise, compared to regular aerobics.
HIIT workouts can involve as little as four minutes of intense activity combined with rest for a total workout of only around 20 minutes. Short but sweaty!
Please note, HIIT workouts are not suitable for everyone therefore always check with your health care provider or fitness professional before starting a new routine.
Bring equipment
Whether you are traveling or doing an at home workout, adding equipment is a great way to increase variety in your routines.
This can help you to amp up the intensity of your workouts without having to go to a gym and keep things interesting.
Resistance bands, jump ropes, and yoga mats are easy to carry around with you and use anywhere!
Use the facilities to your advantage
If you find yourself staying at a hotel, use the facilities to your advantage!
Chances are you will find more equipment available as well as additional activities that you could do that may not be available to you at home.
Most hotels have gyms but some may also have swimming pools, saunas, golf courses, tennis courts, and more.
Take the stairs
We may be blessed to have elevators and escalators at our disposal but these aren't doing us any favours in the health department.
Though it might be tempting to continuously use them, we suggest opting for the stairs whenever you can instead to increase your steps, tone your legs, and improve your endurance.
If you work on a higher floor take the elevator and get off a few levels below and ask for a lower level floor when staying at a hotel so you can walk to your room.
About the Author
Laurence Annez
