Going on holiday is a nice break from routine, but it doesn’t mean you have to take a break from your workout routine. Keeping up your fitness while travelling allows you to enjoy the same benefits as at home – but these are sometimes needed even more when you’re on the road.
Whether you’re travelling for business or leisure, there is always a level of stress that comes with leaving the comfort of home. You’re in unfamiliar places, having to navigate new travel routes and modes of transport, while being exposed to a variety of germs in foreign settings. You could also be undertaking quite strenuous activities depending on the type of travel.
Travelling can put a lot of stress on your mind, body, and immune system which is why you need to keep fit! Keeping up a workout routine will:
✔️ Reduce stress
✔️ Promote better sleep
✔️ Increase your energy levels
✔️ Boost your immune system
✔️ Keep you in shape
But, how do you keep fit while travelling?
Everyone and every trip is different, so a little tailoring goes a long way when it comes time to make your travel workout plans.
1. Frequent travellers
If you’re a frequent traveller, it can be tricky to keep up a consistent lifting routine. Even if you have access to a gym on the road, the equipment is often limited or different to your regular gym, and you might not know what will be available. Try planning a range of alternative workout options to fit a variety of equipment situations, such as a bodyweight HIIT routine, a resistance band total body workout, or a dumbbell-only session for those tiny hotel weight rooms. With this approach, you can get a good workout just about anywhere.
2. Relaxation trip
If you’ve been training hard lately and are heading for some well-earned R&R, your trip might be a good opportunity for a deload and allow your body time to heal. So don’t stress if you’re going somewhere for a week without a weightroom, you can plan some lighter activities to keep your body engaged and healthy. You might even feel stronger when you get back to the gym.
3. Longer trips
If you’re going on a longer trip, your goal might be to maintain your strength and avoid losing muscle mass. We’re right there with you – after all that hard work, no one wants their muscles to shrink over the festive season! Know that in many cases, you can maintain muscle mass with lighter workouts. Build a realistic trip routine around body weight and resistance band movements that incorporate the main muscle groups. Keep up the consistency, and you should be able to pick up where you left off at the gym when you’re back from your trip.
Regardless of your trip type, working out on the road can be tough because trips disrupt your routines and habits. Your schedule is different, you might be adjusting to time zone changes, you might be (rightfully) prioritising time with friends and family, or making the most of a work opportunity - and to top it all off you’re in an unfamiliar environment.
To keep up your workouts, try building them into the daily routines that you adhere to no matter what. For example, maybe you wake up, brush your teeth, then put those gym shoes on and head out for a session. And if your workout doesn’t work out, don’t stress. We’re sure you’ll be back to the grind as soon as you get back home.
Why use resistance bands to stay fit on a trip?
Depending on the situation, you might plan to use bodyweight only or check into a hotel gym. But many travellers swear by resistance bands as an ultra-versatile, easy-to-pack tool to stay fit on the road. With a little advance planning, some creativity, and simple yet quality workout equipment like a resistance band, your travel plans don’t have to slow down your workout routine! Here are 3 reasons why you need to pack a resistance band in your luggage the next time you travel:
1. Resistance bands are versatile
No matter what muscle group you want to target, resistance bands can be incorporated into an exercise for strength training, flexibility, or rehabilitation. They can replace weights in workouts, and long bands can add resistance to many different lower and upper body exercises.
2. Resistance bands are convenient
This lightweight gym equipment is portable, taking up minimal luggage space and not incurring surcharges for additional weight. Plus you can do a full-body workout in your hotel room, park, beachfront, or wherever you are.
3. Resistance bands are cost-effective
You don’t need to sign up for a temporary gym membership or pay for exercise classes, you have everything you need in a resistance band. Resistance bands are affordable workout equipment that you can use for years.
What are some good travel workouts?
Keep in shape while you’re away from home with a few of these simple resistance band exercises:
- Banded squats for glutes, quads, and hamstrings: Place the band around your thighs and do squats. If you’re using a long fabric band, you can loop the band around two or three times to replicate a smaller and tighter glute band.
- Banded rows for back muscles: Place the band on a door handle or other sturdy object and row.
- Banded push-ups for the triceps, pectoral muscles, and shoulders: Place the band across your back and hold an end in each hand while doing push-ups.
- Banded lunges for lower body muscles: Step on the band with a foot and do some lunges.
- Banded shoulder press for shoulder muscles: Step on the band with both feet and hold the ends at shoulder height, pressing upward.
- Banded extensions for your triceps: Hold one end of the band overhead, the other behind your back, and extend your arm upwards.
What are the best resistance bands in South Africa?
Remember for the best workout, you should be using the best gym equipment. Anything inferior means you simply aren’t doing your workout – or yourself – justice. If you’re shopping for resistance bands, we at Yowie back our products. In our opinion, these are the best resistance bands in South Africa. The Long Resistance Exercise Bands by Yowie are a versatile, portable, and durable workout tool.
What are the features of these resistance bands?
✔️ Yowie Resistance Bands have 3 levels of resistance allowing for progression and suiting a variety of lifts. These are the Light, Medium, and Heavy bands, all of which can be doubled or tripled to add additional resistance.
✔️ Yowie Resistance Bands are made from a non-slip, flexible fabric blend which is comfortable and does not roll up, pinch, or slip out of position.
✔️ Yowie Resistance Bands are made from heavy-duty material that does not warp or snap.
✔️ Yowie Resistance Bands are compact, portable, come with a drawstring carry bag and can be used for rehabilitation.
Don’t let a trip break your stride – keep fit while travelling with Yowie by your side!
