Keeping fit while traveling isn’t always a priority. Let’s face it, we’re often more interested in seeing the sights and tasting the flavors of a destination than worrying about packing running shoes and workout clothes. However, maintaining a fitness routine is still extremely important. Moreover, sticking to fitness goals while traveling may actually enhance our journey. I met with Erica Boresh of Orangetheory Fitness in Raleigh, NC to talk about keeping fit on the road. Here are 9 tips for staying fit while traveling.

9 Tips For Staying Fit While Traveling

#1 Stay Hydrated

If you only do one thing to maintain fitness on the road, proper hydration is a good choice. We’re made mostly of water so it stands to reason drinking fluids is essential. Oftentimes, we become dehydrated on a flight or in the car and don’t even realize it. Or, perhaps that extra glass of wine at dinner has you feeling parched the next morning. By drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated,  you’ll feel better while you travel. The key is to drink before you feel thirsty.

#2 Walk

The easiest thing to do to get exercise is a walk. If you can, incorporate walking into your plans. Seek out a walking tour or walk to your destination instead of taking a cab. Get a pedometer and keep track of your steps as you explore. Walking is the simplest budget-friendly method of staying fit while traveling.

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#3 Add A Hike To Your Itinerary

Speaking of walking, why not add a hike to your itinerary? Hiking is great for getting in touch with nature and enjoying your surroundings. The fresh air and scenery add to the allure of a location while providing a great opportunity for raising your heart rate.

#4 Don’t Ignore the Hotel Gym

If you’re staying at a hotel, odds are there’s a gym. Take advantage of the treadmill, free weights, and equipment to squeeze in a workout. Even a short 15 to 20-minute workout is helpful. Hotels offer gyms for their guests’ convenience so by all means, hit the gym.

#5 Plank

This is a straightforward exercise you can do virtually anywhere. Start out with a short plank and add more time each day. Planking is perfect for maintaining your core strength while you travel. The fact that planking is free and requires no equipment is a huge bonus.

#6 Exercise In Your Hotel Room

Maybe you don’t want to spend time in the hotel gym, but you can still exercise and stretch in your room. An inexpensive and extremely packable piece of equipment is exercise bands. Exercise bands come in a variety of resistance levels and add a little something extra to a strength training routine.

#7 Stretch

Staying fit isn’t solely about working up a healthy sweat. If you’re sitting behind the wheel of a car or cramped in an airplane seat for hours, stretching is vital to sustaining proper blood flow and mobility. Take time to do some simple stretches.

#8 Choose Healthy Snacks

Eating healthy snacks on vacation? I know, easier said than done, right? But hey, give it your best shot. You’ll feel better and your waistline will thank you. Plus, you won’t get that miserable bloated feeling from overeating. Whenever I feel the urge to overindulge, I remind myself of the old television ad, “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing.” It always makes me giggle and try to avoid being that person.

#9 Join A Gym

If you’re sincere in your quest to stay fit while traveling, a gym membership may be your answer. Not just any gym, but a gym with facilities in multiple locations such as Orangetheory. Orangetheory has 1000 locations throughout the U.S. and the world. You won’t have to forgo your workout in places you visit like London, Boston, or New York. How awesome is it knowing your workout routine is portable?

Watch: Erica Boresh of Orangetheory demonstrates some simple exercises you can do while traveling.

Final Thoughts

Staying fit while traveling is possible. Taking a vacation and sticking to your health goals aren’t mutually exclusive. You really don’t have to pass up on fun or tasty treats in order to maintain a healthy balance. However, by making good choices and including exercise in the itinerary, you’ll feel better when you return home and look fabulous in your Instagram feed.

Tell me, what do you do to stay fit while traveling? 

• Special Thanks to Erica Boresh of Orangetheory for spending time with me talking about staying fit while traveling.

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