Global Resorts Blog Network

 Original article posted at Off Track Planet - The Backpacking Travel Guide

If you are reading this chances are you are anxious about breaking your fitness routine while you travel.  Have no fear, the best thing you can do while traveling is to break your routine. Keeping in shape while traveling is also a lesson in adaptation,  a test of your motivation and ability to prioritize.  Take this opportunity to learn about your goals and modify them to fit your travel schedule rather than build up anxiety about not being able to go to your specific gym.

The hang-ups (and how to counter them):

•  You usually work the treadmill/elliptical machine at the gym.  You have no idea where to find a gym near your travel destination.

Counter:

Getting in your cardio abroad is easy, you just have to jump on the opportunity when it arises.  Learn some unconventional out-of-the-gym cardio techniques and you’re golden.  Sightseeing requires a lot of walking.  Avoid tour buses or any vehicle that will interfere with you seeing the city on foot (plus tour buses are lame).  Whenever there are escalators or elevators, there are stairs.  Use them.  Most places abroad have beautiful parks and bike rental shops.  Hook yourself up with a bike for the day and take in the scenery while getting a good work-out in.  Near an ocean, lake or river?  Go for a swim.  And  of course, take in the sights during a morning run. For extra credit, pack a jump rope.  It won’t take up much space in your backpack but will provide you with an opportunity for a kick-ass cardio workout when all other options fail.

•   You don’t have space in your backpack for your dumbells, curl bars or the Powerflex 2000 (as you shouldn’t, do not even think of bringing any of these things, that’s crazy talk).

Counter: 

Your body is your best resistance machine, nothing compares.  As long as you factor in a little motivated alone time, you can do simple push-ups, crunches, squats and lunges to keep your muscles toned.  Chances are, your backpack will be comparable to half your body weight.  So while looking for your hostel or the train station, you’re already doing resistance exercise.  As an added bonus, bring a resistance band with you.  They are light and you can whip that sucker out, wrap it around any pole and have yourself some good toning exercises in no time.

•    Drinking age requirements are very relaxed abroad.  New traveling buddies want to go to every bar, party and club in sight to get cheap liquor.

Counter:

You remember when you skipped the gym because of a nasty hangover?  While traveling, you are way more prone to skip working out, even a small headache would provide excuse enough.  This doesn’t mean you should turn into a water-drinking saint.  Instead, think ahead and order a drink with no sugar (i.e. vodka with a twist of lemon.  Too strong? Get a beer but drink a glass of water en route to your next beer).  This way, you can wake up bright and early, fully hydrated and get in a good morning jog.

• You play sports regularly to stay in shape.

Counter:

Not a problem.  Unless you plan a trip to the moon, there are plenty of places to play sports abroad.  Get in on a pick-up basketball game at the park (you will probably impress them with your American b-ball skills anyway).  Lots of Europeans live and breathe soccer and are always excited to teach newcomers their favorite sport.  Plus, there are new sports out there you have never heard of that locals play to stay fit (like camel wrestling in Turkey or chess boxing in Finland where players must alternate between a round of playing chess and a round of boxing, brilliant!)*

Whatever you normally do to stay in shape will change when you are abroad.  The trick is being open to the change, allowing yourself to break the routine and staying motivated.

For more, check out Off Track Planet – The Backpackers Travel Guide, Tips, Resources, Advice, Ideas and How-to’s. 

Written By:  Anna Starostinetskaya

Created By: Freddie Pikovsky