Hitting the gym isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when planning a vacation. Is it?
After all, the whole point of getting out of town and exploring a different part of the country or world is to let your hair down, experience something different, and treat yourself to something indulgent.
But once the trip is over and you return home, getting back into your fitness routine can be a struggle.
This challenge raises the million-dollar question: Should you work out while traveling?
In this post, we’ll answer this question and let you in on some secrets about how to workout on vacation. Let’s get going!
Should You Workout While Traveling?
It’s no secret that exercise is a mood booster, so working out during downtime on your trip could be exactly what you need to make your next vacation the best ever.
Working out on the road can relieve travel-related anxiety, help you shrug off the lethargy from those big meals, and help you feel energized throughout the trip.
However, there’s a caveat to hitting the gym while on vacation.
You plan vacations to make memories and experience something new, which means pushing yourself to find a local gym (or spending time in the hotel fitness center) may get in the way of why you went on vacation in the first place.
Instead of sticking to your typical routine, find ways to make exercise fit a part of vacation rather than cramming gym time into your trip.
How Do You Maintain Your Fitness When Traveling?
The real secret to maintaining your fitness when traveling is to stay active!
Increasing your overall activity level helps you stay consistent on your fitness journey and can give you a chance to see more of your destination.
Here are a few ways to include activity in your travel plans:
Add More Walking to Your Trip
Walking is one of the best ways to burn calories on vacation (and in general).
In fact, adding a 30-minute walk to your day can burn 100 calories or more — depending on your weight.
Also, if you make you make walking your primary mode of transportation on vacation, you’ll save money with the added benefit of keeping your activity levels up.
Rent a Bicycle Instead of Calling a Cab
Tons of vacation destinations have bike rental services, and hopping on a bike is a great way to stay active while traveling.
Cycling helps you maintain your cardio, keeps your body strong, and is a low-impact way to exercise as you soak in the positive vacation vibes.
Traveling by bike is also a faster mode of transportation than simply walking around on foot.
Include More Movement into Your Trip
Laying by the pool to improve your tan is a great way to spend a week, but choosing a more active option will help you maintain your fitness level while you travel.
Opting for a walking tour of city destinations instead of a hop-on hop-off tour will help you see it from a different perspective than you would on a bus.
If you prefer trips to the beach, going on a paddleboarding excursion or joining a volleyball game are great alternatives to sitting under a cabana.
How Do You Stay Consistent in Your Fitness Journey?
It’s essential to remember that consistency looks different while exploring a new destination vs. time spent at home.
When you’re home, going to the gym three times a week and maintaining a calorie deficit is part of the routine.
When you go on vacation, your fitness journey doesn’t need to fit into the same box.
Be creative with your exercise, explore when you can, and don’t be afraid to indulge at mealtime.
Will Not Working Out on Vacation Lower Your Fitness Level?
Taking a break from exercise isn’t the end of the world — especially if you are consistent while working out at home.
One study from the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that two weeks of rest wasn’t enough to lose the muscle you gain from consistent strength training.
While you may notice a drop in cardio fitness from a two-week break, getting back to your routine after vacation will raise your cardio levels back to normal.
We’re Here for You When You Get Back From Vacation
Whether you stay active the entire time you’re on vacation or spend it doing as little as possible, we’ll be waiting for you when you return!
Our 30-minute afterburn workouts, personalized fitness coaching, and nutrition counseling will guide you on your fitness journey.
Stop by a location near you to learn why people call our workouts “the best thirty minutes of your day!”
