WORKOUTS THAT TRAVEL - TAKE YOUR FITNESS ON VACATION

Going on vacation is a great time to kick back, relax and forget about the stresses of life. But, it doesn’t always do that much for your exercise program! It’s just not always easy to stick to your regular workout schedule when you are away from home. You may pack stuff to do your exercises – but that doesn’t mean you’ll actually take it out of the suitcase no matter how much you mean to!

The fact is that you can still work out when you are traveling for work, or on vacation (and believe me you’ll feel SO much better when you get home if you do!). You can try out new types of exercise which could be fun or you can even cram in 10 minutes of a quick workout in your hotel room without any special equipment!

So, with little excuse not to work out, let’s show you some tips that give you even less of an excuse!

1. The 50% Rule.
You won’t do the same workout while you're away, that you do at home. Chances are you won’t have the time, the inclination or the facilities. This doesn’t mean you can give up and do nothing – aim for 50% exercise effort and you’ll be doing OK.

2. Use The Website
Hotel booking is now done almost entirely online. Explore the facilities available from the convienance of your office before you leave town. Find out what you will be able to do before you go – does your hotel have a pool or a gym, for example? Is it safe to run? What can you do that’s fun but also exercise as well? For example, go water-skiing, play beach volleyball, rent a bicycle….

3. Don't Be A Benny
If the place you are staying in really has no exercising options then check out a local gym. Many offer great day rate passes or your hotel may have a deal that gets you a discount.

4. Have Band - Will Travel
Take a resistance band with you – these bands are small but have the ability (if you unpack them!) to let you workout both your upper and lower body. Have a practice before you leave home so you’ll slot into a routine quickly when you get on vacation. Don’t forget to pack workout wear that suits the climate you’re visiting as well. A quick resistance band workout suitable for travel/vacations could include: a bicep curl, a tricep dip, a lat pull down, a front raise, a push-up, a squat, abductor lifts, abductor splits, hamstring kicks - for around 8-10 reps per exercise.(Get resistance bands here)

5. When In Rome - Be A Healthy Roman
Don’t be afraid to ask local restaurants to cook you a special meal with low fat ingredients. You won’t miss out on local delicacies and you won’t feel guilty for eating fatty food. Remember, people eat healthily all over the world! Take healthy snacks with you on vacation when you can.

6. Lay Around. Then Get Up.
If all you want to do on vacation is sit by the pool then remember to roll yourself into it every now and then! You don’t have to try Olympic swimming feats – just water walking up and down the pool a few times every hour will give you a burst of exercise.

While traveling and vacations can put a crimp in your normal routine, it doesn't mean it has to throw you entirely off-track. Part of being fit is being able to adapt to changing circumstances easily. So roll with what your schedule is dealing you and enjoy it!