This year I have really gotten in to keeping fit and exercising regularly thanks to the marathon. But since my training finished I have continued with the exercise as it helps to keep me less anxious and I actually enjoy it. I genuinely think I’m running more often than I was before the marathon, but with a summer of travel coming up I’m not sure how I will keep up with it all. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately and how I’m going to do this without a gym membership and whilst trying to make the most of my time in Brazil. So I’ve put together some ideas I have and tips I used during my last two trips to Rio when I was actually training for the marathon.

Running along Copacabana Beach

Tips for keeping fit while travelling

Make exercise part of your daily routine at home

This is a biggie as it is really hard to motivate yourself to spent time exercising when you have a brand new city to explore or hangover to nurse. However, in my experience if you are used to getting up and going for a run then it is much easier to do so when travelling. It doesn’t have to be running of course, this could included yoga or just a routine workout. As long as your are used to it being part of your routine then it will be easier to continue it while on the road.

YouTube Videos

Exercise is part of your daily routine but you can’t attend your weekly yoga class or continue to use your home gym while travelling, so what are you going to do? Easy, turn to YouTube… all you need is an internet connection which is easy to come by these days and you are off. My favourite fitness videos on YouTube are by Yoga with Adriene who I have dedicated a whole post to because I love her that much but you can easily find a wide range of workouts to help you stay in shape while on the road.

So you probably don’t need the protein shake but the rest is pretty essential.

Pack your running gear

This might seem obvious but if you just pack your yoga pants and not your trainers then you don’t have much option if you want to do something else except, well… yoga. I know space can be precious when you are travelling for long periods but make sure you allow that bit of space for your trainers and a workout outfit. Because lets be honest we are far more likely to exercise if we have a nice kit to wear rather than a baggy t.shirt and shorts that double up as an everyday outfit.

Use a FitBit to track your steps

So you are heading off for a short city break but want to ensure you are still being active throughout your time in this new destination? Then use a FitBit or similar (I think you can even use an app on your iPhone as long as you are carrying it with you all day) to track how many steps you are doing. And when you know you want to do a certain amount a day it will spur you on to ensure you are meeting your target. Achieving this goal could be as easy as skipping that bus or tube ride to get to your destination or walking along the beach instead of just sitting down.

FitBit helping me keep active in Lisbon and track how many calories I’m burning.

Make the most of outdoor fitness parks

Many cities that get a decent summer have these outdoor places where you can exercise in the nice weather for free. Of course the machines don’t have weights on and you might not always know what you are doing but they are there to be used. Australia instantly comes to mind when I think of these, they have them located in public parks or along popular running tracks to support people with their exercise regime beyond running.

Get up an hour earlier to fit the exercise in

One of the biggest reasons for not exercising while travelling is time, especially if you are moving fast and only spending a few days in each destination. You’ll end up using all of your time for sightseeing and enjoying the place rather than making time to fit exercise in. This is even more true if you are visiting a hot country where you need to exercise early in the morning or later in the evening. The best way to solve this is to wake up an hour earlier, get in your exercise and then start your day of sightseeing feeling fresh and like you have achieved something.

Running trainers are pretty essential to pack.

Use any free ‘resources’ on offer

By free ‘resource’ I mean the hotel gym, the apartment gym, the hotel/hostel yoga class, the swimming pool or even the beach. The latter being such a great option because it doesn’t matter if you forgot your trainers, you can just run along the sand barefoot and give your legs an all over workout. Or use the sand as a soft place to do some core stretches and exercises. Of course the sea is the worlds largest free swimming pool and if all else fails make sure you make the most of that during your travels.

And if you are really serious about your fitness then build it into your travel plans and…

A surf lesson still counts as exercise!

Take a fitness holiday

If you aren’t sure what I’m talking about here then check out Vicky, Monica and Hayley’s posts about their experience of a fitness holiday. These of course can be a pricey option but if you are that into your fitness then I’m sure you won’t mind splurging on a little fitness based holiday which will not only help you with that regular exercise but also with what food you should be eating and when.

Do you have any more tips for keeping up with exercise while travelling?

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