Physical Wellbeing

Plan ahead. Before embarking on your trip, research gyms or fitness studios near your housing where you can pop in to try a class. Maybe this will help you find a new workout style that you love! ClassPass is a great option if you aren’t sure what type of workout you want. If you aren’t being sent to an urban location with lots of gym options, check if the hotel or housing you’ll be staying in has a fitness center you can use. Don’t forget about the hotel pool! Swimming is a great low-impact exercise that is good for people of all ages. And don’t forget about those stairwells – you can get in a considerable workout by taking advantage of what’s available.

If you don’t have access to a fitness center or pool, there might be a nearby park or green space with walking trails that will enable you to get moving. You can always exercise in your room using “bodyweight exercises,” such as squats lunges, push-ups, and planks. If you know you’re going to be staying somewhere without a gym, you can also do this:

Pack light equipment if you have space in your luggage. Resistance bands are light and take up minimal space in your suitcase. They are very versatile; you can use them for a variety of strength training exercises or simply use them to get in a deep stretch at the end of a long day.

Additionally, there are many packable yoga mats that can be folded up (instead of rolled) and weigh less than a pound. Amazon has a wide selection, like this one, this one, or this one.

Utilize travel time. If you’re traveling by airplane, take advantage of layover time by walking laps around the terminal. If you’re traveling by car, make sure you stop every two hours or 100 miles to stretch and walk around a little bit.

Get online. There are many apps or websites that offer on-demand fitness classes for you to try from your new location. Some of our favorite subscription-based options are Obe (this is a subscription-based option but may be free for some Athleta customers), Burnalong (check your health insurance to see if this one is included in your plan!), and XPonential Plus. If you want to try something free, YouTube has many, many options, including MadFit (in-home friendly) and Yoga with Adriene.

You can also check with your home fitness studio to see what online options they offer. XPonential Plus is home to seven national fitness brands, so chances are you might already be connected to one of their studios. Or, if you work with a personal trainer at home, she or he may be able to continue your training sessions virtually. If you don’t already have a personal trainer who can coach you online, you can try to find one here.