With holiday travel fast approaching, the only exercise on the horizon is often just lugging bags through a terminal — and, of course, that TSA pat down.
But whether a week-long visit to grandma’s house or those extended business trips that occur throughout the year, exercise and fitness need not take a holiday.
A hotel room, a plan and 20 minutes a day is all that’s required to make exercise a successful road show.
“Keep it in the schedule and keep it simple,” says Fitcorp personal training coordinator Sam Berry, who routinely advises clients on exercising while traveling. “Make sure they put into their schedule, ‘workout for 20 minutes.’ Put it in their planners and calendars. They have the most success when they do that.”
Berry said a typical hotel room can easily double as a workout space, especially at hotels with outdated or limited gym equipment. Lunges, jumping jacks, push-ups and sit-ups can all be performed effectively, even in a confined space.
“Minimal setups can lead to maximum success,” Berry says.
Berry also recommends resistance bands that can be flung over a door and mimic cable-based exercise machines found in a gym.
“Almost all of my clients who are on the road have one of those,” Berry said. “It’s a good investment for someone who wants to do more than just body-weight exercises.”
And because of its portability, a resistance band can relieve at least one element of holiday stress.
“It fits into carry-on luggage,” Berry adds. “TSA doesn’t give you any problems with it. … Knock on wood.”
