Working with What You've Got
Stick to your fitness routine away from home
In the Spring, I wrote about ways to stick to your fitness routine while traveling. I recently took a mini-vacation to Hershey Park. We usually go at least once a year, but haven’t been since the beginning of the Pandemic.
We stayed at the Lodge at Hershey, which is very family friendly, boasts an indoor water park and has a decent number of on site food options. I don’t prioritize exercise while I’m on vacation, but I tend to wake up far earlier than everyone else, so I’ll typically try to get a morning workout in. The Lodge had an on-site fitness center, so I decided to check it out. Since I didn’t know what equipment they’d have, my only plan was to do some form of cardio and some form of strength training. I primarily use the Peloton platform and I almost exclusively turn to it for structured strength training, so I bookmarked classes that I could do with weights and exercises I could do without weights.
Now if your travels happen to take you to the Hershey Lodge, the fitness center was top-notch. The center had plenty of treadmills, elliptical machines, bikes (even Pelotons!), free weights, mats, universal weigh machines, resistance bands, water and towels. I was there between 6 and 7 each morning and never had to wait for anything. While I would have liked to do my cardio on one of the two Peloton machines they had, one wouldn’t boot up and the other had a broken seat adjuster that was stuck on a setting that was less than ideal for me, so I ran on the treadmill instead. Nagging calf injuries have prevented longer outdoor runs for me lately, though I’m hoping that I’m through the worst of it.
Now back to the point of today’s post. I’m certainly not suggesting that exercise should take up the bulk of your vacation or business travel, but if you choose to workout while you’re way, here are some additions to my tips from March.
If your plans include weight training, but the hotel fitness center has no free weights or limited options, prepare by having a workout that you can follow without free weights. There are tons of bodyweight exercises that in many cases are just as effective and reduce the risk of injury that can come with weight training. Both Peloton and Apple Fitness+ have bodyweight classes that include upper body, lower body and core workouts. YouTube is also a great resource for seeking out workout routines.
Don’t overdo it - You’re on vacation and the last thing you need is to injure yourself while exercising. I’m a big believer in quick, 10-15 minute workouts that include supersets and little rest between exercises. You do not need to spend an hour in the gym to get an effective workout in.
No gym, no problem - I have a friend who goes to the beach almost every weekend. He takes a towel or a mat and a speaker and will work out on the beach or the boardwalk. If there wasn’t a gym on site when I was away, I would have grabbed a towel and gone outside to do my workout so my family could sleep in. And of course, running or walking is an option as well.
Use vacation to start a routine - Yes, vacation is a time for recharging the batteries, eating, drinking and spending time with your family. But it can also be a great time to start up a fitness regimen. You’re away from the daily grind and not tethered to your desk so if you’re thinking of starting something, vacation can be a great kickstarter.
Just be active - Hiking, site seeing, walks on the beach, a game of Spike Ball, 12 ounce curls (okay, maybe not the last one) are all ways to stay active while on vacation.
The bottom line is that you can exercise almost anywhere (should you choose to do so) your travels take you. A fitness center or gym certainly makes it easier and more convenient, but with a little planning and no equipment, you can get in your exercise and still have time for fun!