Squeezing in a workout while traveling takes planning
If you travel for business, you know how taxing it can be. Even under the best circumstances, squeezing in a workout can take a backseat. Weather delays, long flights, jet lag and back-to-back meetings can interfere with your exercise schedule. Here’s how to stay fit while you’re on the road:
Plan ahead. If you hit the road with only a vague idea about exercise, you might find yourself making excuses, not working out. Instead, go prepared. Pack your fitness clothes and exercise gear. (Fitness bands and jump ropes travel well.) Check out the access rules to your hotel’s fitness facilities or learn about nearby walking paths and parks. Take the stairs. Do lunges, pushups and squats in your room.
Stretch it out. Give these basic stretches a go: gentle neck rolls, rounding your back, or twisting your torso. Contract your abdominal muscles for five- to 10-second intervals while breathing deeply to strengthen your core. Try Pilates or yoga moves in your hotel room.
Hit the gym. Hotel gyms can be full-scale fitness centers to a room with a treadmill and free weights. Do make sure to take appropriate safety precautions before throwing yourself into your on-the-road workout. Check that the equipment is properly maintained and that the hotel’s personal trainer has credentials from the American Council on Exercise, the American College of Sports Medicine, or the National Federation of Personal Trainers.
Stick to your routine. Staying fit on the road is more than doing a few stretches and lunges beside the hotel bed. Keep eating a healthy diet and get adequate sleep, too. If you’re traveling through multiple time zones, give your body enough time to adjust.
