If you are looking for tips on maintaining your fitness routine while traveling, look no further. Whenever I travel, I like to have a plan in place for how I will stay active. Having a plan in place will help to ensure you not only stay active, but you might also experience something new! This post is split up into activity types and includes the equipment needed for each exercise.
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Yoga
For starters, my JadeYoga travel mat comes with me on all of my trips. Leaving this mat folded in my carry-on suitcase makes it easy to bring along as it is compact. Whether I am practicing sun salutations or restorative yoga, I find the practice grounding especially when away from home.
As soon as I unpack my luggage, I make room for my yoga practice. I’ll start by moving any furniture and rolling out my mat. I keep this setup throughout my stay. If you are lucky enough to have an outdoor area where you are staying, you can even practice outside as I did at Arlo Midtown on a recent trip to NYC. The amazing city-view room was complete with a huge private balcony.
Depending on where you are in your yoga journey, you may feel great practicing on your own without the help of an instructor. While I do feel comfortable leading my practice, I sometimes find it more relaxing to follow an instructor. This is especially true if I have spent the day on planes or trains or had a long day at work.
I find the Peloton app has amazing instructors but several other exercise apps can lead you through a yoga flow.
Another idea is to find a yoga studio near your destination. Many studios provide rental mats for a small fee but since the pandemic, this may be harder to come by. Fitness and other yoga retreats are also super popular, Courtney and I attended one in 2021 and even wrote an article on what to pack, check it out here.
Not only does having my mat rolled out help me keep my practice going but if I have a few moments in the morning, I’ll meditate or do a quick savasana. I am also way more likely to take a few moments to myself.
Equipment needed: towel or yoga mat, optional fitness app on a mobile device
Walking/Running
Another way to stay active while traveling is by walking or running. This can start by walking at the airport or train station. I am often a bit early for my flights therefore, I have found walking the terminal is a great way to fit in some extra steps. This is especially helpful if you have a long flight, get those steps in while you can!
Walking is a great way to experience a new city, check out the photo below which I captured on a morning walk in Saint-Émilion, France!
If you are on a vacation or leisure trip, you’ll probably find that if you are sightseeing, you will rack up the miles. Even without trying, on a recent trip to Boston, I walked 15 miles in 24 hours!
However, when I travel for work, I have to be more deliberate with my exercise plans. Check to see if your hotel has a gym, even an old treadmill will do the trick if it is cold or rainy outside. On Airbnb, there is even an amenity filter for Gyms. If you currently training for a race, check out our post on how to stay on track with half marathon training while traveling.
At the hotel I frequent for work travel, I found an outdoor path that is precisely one mile out and back. Even with a jam-packed schedule, I can find time for a quick mile.
Lastly, I recently registered for a 10k in London during an upcoming trip, I’ve seen several road races in action while traveling in a new city and have always been intrigued! If you like to run, check ahead and see if there is a race going on during your stay. Nothing like a 10k race shirt as a souvenir from your trip.
Equipment needed: running/walking shoes and socks
Strength Training
If you have a gym at your destination, you probably have access to weights. If you don’t have access to a gym, consider bodyweight exercises. Again, there are apps for no equipment-needed strength classes. Resistance bands are also an easy accessory to pack in your luggage that won’t take up much room.
Equipment needed: nothing if doing body weight, consider resistance bands or weights if you have access to a full gym
Biking/Cycling
When I am home, I do love my Peloton bike. Not only do they have instructor-led classes, but there are also scenic routes that make biking to nowhere fun. If you are interested in purchasing the peloton tread or bike anytime soon, use my promo code: UYAXU5 for $100 off (current offer as of December 2022)! I have both the bike and tread and love them both. The instructors are amazing and you can even take classes while traveling from your phone or other devices.
You do not need a Peloton bike to use the app, simply download the Peloton app. I even took spin classes on a cruise before so be sure to see what is offered onboard or at your hotel. Depending on your location, you may also be able to rent an actual bike which is a great way to see a new city.
My favorite bike rental city to date is Key West, some friends and I had a blast cruising around in the beautiful sunshine.
Equipment needed: bike, closed-toe shoes
Hiking
The availability of hiking locations will be dependent on where you are traveling. I’ve been able to hike in some pretty amazing places. One of my favorite things about hiking in a new terrain or environment is seeing the different plants and wildlife. While hiking in southern Spain, we even saw mountain goats, pretty wild!
If you are going someplace remote, consider hiring a guide to ensure you stay safe. I also have found when hiking with someone local, you can learn a whole lot about the area. We are currently planning a trip to Iceland in February and plan to do a glacier hike! Talk about uniqueness.
Equipment needed: appropriate hiking boots or athletic shoes/socks, water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses
Kayaking
Finally, kayaking is an excellent way that will allow you to get some activity in while seeing your destination from a new angle. Kayaking is also pretty low impact but obviously will give your arms and upper body a good workout.
One of my favorite memories from my trip to Venice, Italy was kayaking in a canal! We had the opportunity to meet some locals who provided us with this unforgettable experience. So, if you are in a destination near the water, consider checking out kayaking or other water sports as a way to maintain your fitness routine while traveling.
Equipment needed: rental companies will provide life vests, paddles, and the kayak. Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a water bottle recommended
I hope you enjoyed these ideas for how to maintain your fitness routine while you are traveling. If you are traveling to Iceland, be sure to check out my guide on how to stay active in Iceland! Safe and healthy travels!