Maintaining A Fitness Routine While Traveling by Mike Manning

Traveling for recreation or on a business trip means leaving some of your daily routines behind. Fortunately, working out is not one of them. By learning the secrets to healthy travel, you can prevent on-the-go exercise from becoming a hassle.

When it comes to fitness amenities, not all hotels are created equal. Doing some research before you book a room will ensure that you end up at a hotel that can support your active lifestyle. If you are currently on a weightlifting routine, keep an eye out for an on-site gym with enough machines and free weights to get the job done. If cardio is your main focus, look for locations that offer yoga, pilates, and other fitness classes. Specialized fitness classes are especially easy to find if you stay at a resort or health spa. On my last trip to Maui I used a website called Gogobot in order to do my research. Here I was able to get an exhaustive list of Maui hotels that I could go through in order to see which ones had 24-hour gyms for me to get my early morning workouts in.

If you are traveling by air, you may actually be able to take advantage of fitness facilities provided by the airport. More and more airports are starting to offer convenient spaces to relax and exercise. San Francisco International Airport is at the forefront of this trend. One of the airport's terminals is now equipped with a zen room complete with free yoga mats. The room is dimly lit to maintain a relaxing atmosphere, and guests are required to remove their shoes and turn off their cell phones.

Smartphone technology is making it easier than ever to stay on top of fitness goals while traveling. From strength training to yoga, every type of routine can be streamlined using downloadable apps. Runners should check out RunKeeper, a tool that tracks the time and pace of your run. The app's GPS functions are especially useful when visiting unfamiliar locations. Those who want to work out in the comfort of their hotel rooms can use apps such as Pocket PT to assist with bodyweight exercises.

When traveling for business purposes, tight schedules present an additional challenge to those attempting to stay fit. Scheduling a workout can certainly be difficult when rushing from meeting to meeting. Regardless of any difficulties, health should be a top priority during business travel. Stretching is a great way to relieve tension and make long business meetings more comfortable. Standing up and stretching also increases blood flow, helping you to stay alert and energetic. Working out before and during the trip will prepare your body for physical effects of traveling such as stress and fatigue.

Health and fitness are always important, even when you're away from home. By keeping this information in mind, you should be able to benefit from an exercise regimen no matter where you travel. Whether you are working or enjoying a relaxing vacation, staying active can easily be one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.