1 October 2017
Everybody travels. Maintaining your fitness plan through these periods can be tough sometimes, especially when you are away for business, pleasure or a holiday.
It can be too easy just to let all your hard work in the gym slip in the time you are away from your daily routine. The trick is to be prepared and not let it slip!
The complications: -
Our normal routines get completely thrown out the window when travelling:
⁃ If you usually workout in a gym, suddenly you might not have access to any equipment.
⁃ If you run around your neighbourhood, suddenly you no longer have a familiar path to follow.
⁃ If you usually prepare your own meals, suddenly you don’t have a kitchen or fridge.
⁃ If you’re used to a good night’s sleep, suddenly you’re sleeping at odd hours in different time zones.
We are creatures of habit – while working a normal day, we can stick to a routine pretty easily (wake up at the same time, eat all meals at the same time, work out at the same time, go to sleep at the same time). However, when we start travelling, absolutely nothing is familiar and the slightest speed bump can be enough to mess things up.
Our Tips: -
You can keep your gym routine going while away more easily than you think, it’s just a matter of adjusting:
1. If you cycle, run or walk as part of your gym routine - You will surely want to explore plenty of the sights while away? Take the opportunity to stretch your legs by walking or cycling as opposed to driving. Even better, get up to see a beautiful new sunrise and plan a jog around the area you are staying. You are ticking your workout box and you get to know the area you are staying in better… Win/Win!
2. Adapt to your new environment when working out - parks, beaches, trees, you do not always need gym equipment to workout. Using your bodyweight as resistance and coming up with a little High Intensity Interval Training or Circuit session - is a great way of conditioning your body while on the move (be creative). Your environment will determine how you can train. Using a sturdy tree branch/park bench/bars/stairs, allows for numerous exercises such as Pull ups, Tricep dips or Hill sprints. If you are located near a beach, running on the sand will increase the intensity of a normal flat run as there is added friction to work against. Also keeping the intensity high and workouts shorter will not just give you a great workout but will help you to not eat into your valuable time.
3. Daily Leisure – Without even realizing it you may be having a full body workout! When on holiday a normal part of your day may be swimming in your pool or the sea. Chasing your kids around the beach and playing beach games such as volleyball. The main thing is that taking part in these activities means you are BEING ACTIVE, perhaps not even realizing it at the time. It can all be part of the fun of being away and will help keep you in shape at the same time. Not to say a good read can’t come after!
4. When away from home one of the greatest pleasures of a new place or culture is the cuisine – There is no reason you can't have a bit of indulgence while away especially if you have been active throughout the day. Your body will need refueling after a busy day and you can feel better because you've been burning calories, so why not have a little reward?
At the end of the day your time away doesn’t have to mean you have spent time away from your training and goals. Remember, fitness is a way of life and it’s just a matter of adapting it and enjoying it.
Have a good trip!