Dimensions Weekly Mens Lifestyle Magazine

We used to turn-down long trips to places I knew had less-than stellar fitness facilities. It can be tough for a lifetime fitness fanatic or a newbie enjoying a regular gym routine to travel when the “when in Rome” trend prevails. We get bullied for trying to find accommodations with a gym, and feel cruddy after wine, late nights and indulgent vacation fare if we can’t workout. Now I regret missing those excursions as I realize a little ingenuity and/or planning can certainly keep us fit while traveling.

Assuming there is not a gym in your hotel. Running is the most obvious option-all you need to pack is your workout clothes and shoes-which should always travel with you anyway. So long as weather, your joints and general safety rules permit, running is a great way to get your exercise as well as sight-see or plan your entourage’s route before lazy comrades awaken.

The other “no equipment needed” option – bodyweight exercises in your hotel room. Intense circuits of uber-basic bodyweight only moves such as pushups, planks, burpees, crunches, lunges, jumps, jacks, squats, etc. performed successively to failure can certainly work up a sweat! And if you’re familiar with Pilate's, you’ve got an additional arsenal of moves to draw from.

As far as toting your own materials, two biggest concerns are the weight they will add to your suitcase and the space to reserve in the case. With this in mind, the No. 1 pick for travel fitness equipment are rubber fitness bands. They are lightweight and foldable thus you won’t have to sacrifice precious shoe space for them. If you haven’t worked with bands before, many come with an exercise video when purchased. I’ve also been known to throw a pair of 3 or 5lb dumbbells in my back for light arm work, Plyos and enhance bodyweight exercises on the floor, such as planks with presses and the whole gamut of Yoga and Pilates mat work.

Lastly, a pain to inflate/deflate…for a short trip, but for an extended stay you could pack a deflated stability ball and pump. If traveling in the car and you’ve got the room, put the big boy in the back seat, no deflation necessary. Alternatively you could check out the area gyms. Many will charge a guest fee, or you could fib about having just moved to the area and are shopping for your new fitness sanctuary. Ahem, I’m not endorsing this one, so keep it on the DL. Got time to check out a new class or an awesome instructor you’ve been wanting to work with? Everybody’s got a hobby or interest to indulge when traveling. Pretty sure by now you know one of mine. Just as foodies make reservations at the rave restaurants, when I travel, I want to sample the fitness fare of the area. If you don’t already have a class or instructor in mind research gyms and studios in that area, and read local reviews on Yelp, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Maybe you even break a gym rut or plateau and discover an entirely new interest, as when we travel at least on pleasure trips, we’re more open-minded and willing to try something outside of our usual comfort zone.

-DW | Health & Fitness