Five Tips to Maintain Your Fitness Goals While Traveling

Three-Minute Read

Always on the road for work or taking a vacation to somewhere exciting? Check out my tips for staying fit no matter where you are.

With travel on the rise due to high COVID vaccination rates and entry requirements to countries being lifted, you may be in a situation where you will be away from the comforts of your gym.

As someone who has taken numerous flights for work since April 2021, I can attest to this. Staying healthy and working out on the road is tough. Between the busy schedule for work and the numerous food options not available back home (Shoutout Dallas for their barbecue), it is easy to fall off your fitness plan. However, there are many ways you can stay on track and not lose a beat. Here are a few of my favorite tips:

Packing Tip: Bring One Set of Workout Clothes, Even If You Don’t Plan To Work Out

You don’t even have to bring more than one set of clothes, especially if it’s a short-term trip or if your accommodations include a laundry room. Just one cycle and you have a fresh set of clothes to sweat in again! Since footwear may be bulkier, you will have no problem if you wear your gym shoes for travel, but if you need to pack a pair, make sure they are light and comfortable. Otherwise, you can buy a pair wherever you go as long as you can use them more than once.

Staying at a Hotel?: Research the On-Site Fitness Center

Hyatt House, Columbus, OH. One of the best hotel fitness centers I’ve been to. (Photo by Christian Pizarro)

Hotel fitness centers tend to be smaller with limited equipment, such as free weights that go up to 50 pounds and a couple of cardio machines. This is where the research aspect comes in. Some hotels might surprise you with the type of equipment they have, such as plyometric boxes, kettlebells, and even a Peloton bike. Others may have the bare minimum of a treadmill and a mat and may not have the water tank or the sanitary wipe container refilled. The location also matters, as fitness centers in downtown areas, like Manhattan and Chicago, may be limited by space compared to ones in suburbs or vacation destinations, like Las Vegas and Orlando, where they have more room for equipment. Finally, most of these centers are open 24/7, which makes any time a good time to work out. Make sure to ask if those amenities are open due to local health protocols.

Have A Gym Membership to a National Chain? (i.e. Planet Fitness or LA Fitness) Use It!

Most fitness chains will have a membership option, like Planet Fitness’ Black Card, where it can gain you access to their locations across the country or even the world. If you prefer working out outside of your hotel or are staying with someone or at an Airbnb, this would be one of your best options. Even if you don’t have a membership in those places, you can easily buy a daily or weekly pass or tag along with a friend who has one. Other brands under this category include Anytime Fitness, LA Fitness, Lifetime Fitness, and even a local YMCA.

Flexible with Your Plans? Find a Local Gym

If you’re used to working out at the local independent gym like I am, this is a great option that also supports those smaller businesses while also getting a great workout in. Usually, they will have all the equipment and machines you are used to and have a similar community aspect where everyone knows each other. Yelp-ing or Googling gyms in the area of your visit would be the best approach, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask either your home gym’s owner or a friend that lives in your destination if they know of a gym you should visit.

If All Else Fails? Don’t Sweat It!

You’re on vacation to relax. You’re on a business trip to work. Do what you have to do and then hop back onto your routine when you get back home. If you want to buy some new gym clothes on the road, that’s always an option and it can act as your workout travel gear. If you don’t have enough time and want to stay active, a walk can be accomplished anywhere, whether at a local mall or a nearby park.

There are definitely more than five ways to maintain your fitness goals on the road, and I will cover those as well as more fitness travel tips on my blog.

Do you have any travel tips you use for fitness? Comment below!

Until then, safe and healthy travels!