Staying on top of your training can be challenging when traveling. You’re away from your kitchen, your favorite health food “go-to” spots, and of course, the gym.
But that doesn’t mean you have to let go and give up on your fitness while you’re traveling for work, or even when you’re on vacation.
A bit of planning and packing the right essentials will go a long way in helping you maintain your health and fitness levels while on the road.
Let’s look at four things you should pack as a fit traveler for the next time you’re on the road.
1. Training Shoes
Probably the most critical part of your “fitness packing” list (yes, we made that term up).
Whether you want to go on a run around the hotel neighborhood, hit the hotel gym, or even get a day pass at a bigger gym nearby, you’re gonna need some training shoes.
But what if packing space is limited? We know how these pesky airlines like to tack-on added charges for additional weight.
The best option is to go for more versatile shoes. If you travel frequently, then a pair of trainers from an athleisure brand might be worth the investment.
Otherwise, you can opt for training shoes that can also work in other settings. For example, solid black or white trainers can work with denim or even some business casual attire.
The point is, if possible, you want to maximize efficiency with shoes that work in multiple settings so you don’t have to pack multiple shoes.
But if you’re going to train while on vacation, then you need the right shoes, unless you plan on swimming a lot, which we will coover below.
2. Resistance Bands
An easy win. They hardly weigh anything, can fit in basically a bag of any size, and if used correctly, can provide an epic workout.
Hotel gyms are often lacking the right equipments for your specific style of training, or often lacking in heavy enough weights for people that train regularly.
Resistance bands can solve both of these issues, plus more.
You can really get creative with resistance band workouts and train your entire body, including legs, glutes, core, or any other muscle group you can think of.
If you have a specific goal and like to do exercises tailored for that goal, then look up some resistance band exercises on YouTube to keep you busy during your trip.
If the issue is that the hotel gym does not have heavy enough weights, you can add extra resistance to dumbbells by attaching them to resistance bands. Again, you can look up how to this online.
Pro tip: Pack multiple resistance bands of different lengths and resistance levels for the most versatile workouts (depending on the length of your trip and how many workouts you’ll need on the road).
3. Swimming Trunks and Goggles
If you’re really tight on space and packing running shoes aren’t an option, then maybe you can plan on swimming more during your trip.
All you need is your swimsuit, possibly a hair cap, and some goggles.
Even if you don’t normally swim, this can be a great opportunity to train differently and challenge yourself with one of the best aerobic exercises out there.
And it’s not just cardio, you also get a great upper body workout as you burn a ton of calories in the pool.
If you’ve been running a lot, then this could also provide a mch-needed break for your joints.
As far as access to a pool during your vacation, check and see if your hotel has a pool.
And if it does, then you should probably plan on using it early in the morning, as it can get crowded later in the day with a bunch of kids (and adults), and it might not be the most optimal lap swimming environment.
4. Micronutrient Supplements
It can be relatively easy to hit your macros while on the road. In most cities, you can find restaurants or delivery options that offer a good amount of protein, carbs, and fats.
But where it gets more tricky outside your home kitchen is your micronutrients, like the vitamins and minerals to make sure your body is functioning optimally.
When traveling, you might be already exposed to a plethora of pathogens on the flight, your sleep might be lacking, and various other factors can cause a bit of a ruckus on the immune system.
So, it is more important than ever to support your body with the right nutrients to keep up a solid defense, and function with optimal energy. You won’t really be able to train much if you’re feeling run down the entire time.
Pack your greens, and maybe even a super reds powder like Naked Reds from Naked Nutrition.
These types of supplements cover all the nutrient gaps in your diet, help with sleep, blood flow, and other functions to keep you feeling energized and well.
Final Thoughts
With these 4 packing essentials, there’s nothing stopping you now from staying on shape in your vacation.
Even if you can’t do your regular workouts, remember that any training is better than no training. At the very least, even if you don’t get faster, stronger, or leaner, you’ll be able to maintain where you’re currently at, and get back at it when you return home.
And finally, remember to pack your favorite vitamins and supplements to keep you feeling well and full of energy during your trip so you have the stamina to hit the hotel gym or the pool.
