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Taking Your Exercise Routine on The Road

Whether you're traveling for business or for pleasure, you don't have to abandon your exercise routine while you're away. You may need to modify it or you may even design an entirely different exercise routine for travel. There are many ways you can still get your exercise without going to your regular class or gym.

For starters, start with the old standby. Walk! If your trip involves shopping for example, first park as far away from the door as you can and take advantage of those extra steps. If you're at a mall, try power walking around the mall before you shop for that new outfit. You can even make a game out of it such as the first lap might earn you a light and healthy lunch while the second lap earns the outfit.

If you're staying at a tourist spot, take advantage of the local attractions, especially the ones that involve walking or hiking. If you intend to take pictures, take them only after you've walked a certain distance. Consider using ankle or wrist weights to enhance your exercise routine.

If you're on a vacation, sometimes it can be difficult to "slow down" enough to fit in any real exercise. You could be in Las Vegas, for example, for a week and never get any real exercise yet be busy all the time. Instead, leave the cabs and limos behind and take advantage of the walkovers many hotels have leading to adjacent hotels. If you focus on maintaining some type of exercise routine on your trip, you'll find the opportunities.

You'd be surprised at all the exercise equipment you can pack right along with your clothes and other things. There are several lightweight objects that take up little room that you can use in your exercise routine right in your hotel room. If you work with an exercise ball at home, just deflate it and remember to include the hand pump. Throw in a set of 3 pound dumbbells or ankle weights and some resistance bands along with a workout DVD or two and you'll practically have a gym in your hotel room.

Many of the larger hotels have fitness facilities but having your own exercise kit will guarantee you a space at the time that is convenient for you. You might also consider using the pool if you're staying at a hotel that has one.

Even if you're on a business trip and have little time for organized activities, you can still take just a few minutes each day with your travel exercise routine. Even if you're unable to pack dumbbells or weights, you can still do a few leg lifts and arm curls. Take the stairs instead of the elevator in any buildings you can and walk at every opportunity. Taking the time to do just these few exercises will keep you from becoming stiff and will help reduce the stress you're apt to feel from being away from home and your regular routine.

The best exercise routine is the one that you actually do, so try to plan ahead and prepare for your trip with this in mind. If you are to be sharing your hotel room with others, let them know ahead of time of your plans to incorporate your travel exercise routine. Most likely, anyone who knows that you exercise at home will be supportive and understanding.

You may even discover a new exercise that you'll want to incorporate into your exercise routine at home, especially if you discover a piece of equipment or learn a new exercise while you're away. You may discover a piece of equipment that your gym at home doesn't have or it may be as unobtrusive as an exercise ball or band. Whatever you find on your travels, continuing your exercise routine away from home will help lesson the stress of being away from home.