6 Hacks for Staying Fit When You’re on the Road

To work out consistently, we must build the habit into our daily or weekly routine until it becomes an essential part of our lives. But when this routine is disrupted by travelling, it can be difficult to get back into the swing of things when you're home. Whether you’re a nomad, go on frequent business trips, or simply want to keep fit while on holiday (we applaud you), keeping on top of your workouts is essential for long-term fitness.

PRO PACKER

Set yourself up for success, and pack all your gym gear first, so you won’t have any excuses when you’re there. Bringing your gear with you will serve as a helpful reminder when you unpack, and compel you to make use of the items you’ve lugged to your destination. Bonus tip: pack your favourite workout gear that you want to wear for an extra incentive!

PAY AS YOU GYM

We all know to book hotels with gym facilities, but if you’re looking for a gym that’s more equipped, why not try flexible gym memberships? Most gyms will have this option nowadays, but it’s always good to check out Apps & Services like Guava Pass or KFIT if you want to plan in advance. There are also great options for classes, which are perfect for when you’re just in the city for a few days.

EXERCISE & EXPLORE

If you prefer to run outside and not on a treadmill, there’s no better way to keep up your morning runs than to explore the city by foot! Ask the concierge or other hotel staff to see if there are any popular paths for runners in the area, and keep track of your progress and see 3D mapped renders of your run with tools like Strava, MapMyRun, and RunKeeper. Not only is it a productive use of your time in the destination, it's also a great personal memory to make.

SNOOZE YOU LOSE

Nothing is more draining than travelling and jet lag, which means that you should prioritise sleep regardless of whether you have a workout schedule or not. But if you want to stay active while you’re away, then sleep is even more important. If the time difference is impeding on your ability to get the much needed, try downloading smart alarm clocks that track & manage your sleep cycle, and calculate the optimal time for you to wake up, such as Smart Alarm Clock or Sleepbot.

SMART COOKIE

It’s not enough to simply manage your workout schedule if you want to stay fit, as planning your meals is just as important when it comes to maintaining your fitness routine. Aside from doing research into restaurants that aligns with your workout diet, it’s also good to pack some healthy snacks like protein bars, so you always have them on hand if a healthy option doesn’t present itself.

BOOK IT IN

We may have the best intentions, but success isn’t possible unless we actively make the time to workout everyday. Book the time into your calendar, and make sure you never skip more than one workout per week to keep up the momentum. Apps like Workout Plan or Fitlist are helpful for tracking your workouts and sending you reminders. Remember: anything is better than nothing, and so it's always worthwhile fitting in even 15 minutes for squats and push ups if you don't have much time to spare.