How to Workout While on Vacation

You have been waiting for a vacation all year long. You have packed everything from your razor to your favorite pair of socks. The only thing you can’t pack that you wish you could is your treadmill and favorite weight machine at the gym. The following steps below will help you learn how to workout while you are on vacation.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Running Sneakers
• Two gym outfits
• A pair of socks
• Bathing suit
• An elastic bandage for support
• Your gym membership card

How to Workout While on Vacation

1. The first, most logical step should include researching gyms in your vacation area. You may belong to a gym that has many out-of-state locations. If so, take your membership card with you. You will either get free access or a major discount.

2. Visit the hotel’s gym. Hotel gyms are usually smaller than what you are used to. Utilize the equipment that you are familiar with.

3. Explore your vacation site and surrounding areas. Take a day and walk around. There will possibly be a track, a walking and hiking trail, an outdoor stadium, or a large parking lot where you can workout for free. Depending on the area, there may be a long stretch of streets that are pedestrian-friendly.

4. 
    
   Photo by Tomiko "Tomi" Cary

   Go swimming. Swimming and water aerobics are excellent ways to stay in shape on your vacation. It is also fun!

5. Practice calisthenics in your hotel room. Calisthenics is the easiest way to exercise without having a dependency on equipment. Start by clearing out enough space in your room to be able to stand and lay without restriction. You can do sit ups and crunches, squats, stretches and push ups as a regular routine.

6. Take a day to go canoeing or kayaking. These two outdoor sports are great for the upper body.

Tips & Warnings

• Large parking lots are a great place to exercise in the morning. Remember to stay on the outer edges of the lot. Exercise when the lot is empty!
• Bring allergy medications, if you suffer from allergies and want to participate in outdoor activities.
• Always familiarize yourself with local medical centers and hospitals.
• Remember that a hotel gym may only have light free weights and a few cardiovascular machines.
• Only exercise in well-lit areas. Stay away from night running, if you are unfamiliar with the area. If you are familiar with the area and you run at night, wear clothes with reflectors.
• Be very observant of your surroundings when exercising outdoors.
• Do not create a running path in a densely wooded area.
• Do not run through neighborhoods with dogs on the loose.