Ziplining in Maui. Snowboarding in Telluride. A long stroll through the Christmas market in Munich. Can you guess the common denominator? If you guessed that all are fun ways to stay fit while you travel during the winter, you’d be right. Most fitness buffs do worry about keeping up their exercise routine when they travel, especially if they’re not traveling to a place that’s a destination vacation like these are. If you fit into that category, here are some fun ways you can stay in shape during your winter travels, no matter where you land.
Basic Movements
Travel veteran, Nomadic Matt points out that certain activities like walking, jogging, or bike riding just go with adventure. If you’re planning on sightseeing, why not plan on doing it on foot or on a bike. If you’re traveling to warmer climates during your winter travels – for example, you’ve nabbed some discount Disney World tickets for cheap – see about renting a bike or finding a walking tour of the city you’re visiting. And of course, if you’re in a big park like Disney, you’ll be walking everywhere, so your workout is built right in.
If your destination is more “Snowville,” even more possibilities open up. While biking may be out in colder climates, snow on the ground opens up activities like cross-country skiing, snowboarding, or downhill skiing to name a few. If those activities appeal to you, check sites like TripAdvisor to see if you can rent equipment at your destination. Let the adventure begin!
Choose Your Hotel Wisely
Nowadays, many hotels qualify as more than just a place to sleep. Anymore, your place of lodging probably has a business center, and it probably also has a gym. An article on the Shape website suggests that you look for a hotel with a fitness center. Most hotel gyms will have some basic weights plus stationary bikes. Others include pools plus saunas and/ or hot tubs. In colder climates, the hot tubs will be an added blessing: A hot tube allows you to warm up after a long day of walking out in the cold.
Use Your Body
If all else fails, you can do a workout using your body weight and some key items you’ll find in your environment. A swing set becomes a pull-up bar. A bit of open floor allows for push-ups, lunges, jumping jacks, or a simple yoga routine. If you’re not sure that you’re going to be staying in a place that has a fitness center, a workout using your bodyweight offers a good alternative. To prepare for this eventuality, learn a simple routine at home, and then jot it down in your travel journal to take with you on the road.
Find a Branch of Your Gym
Some gyms have facilities across the country. If you belong to such a gym that’s part of a national chain, check to see if there’s a gym in your destination city. Also check the gym website for that city to see if there are fun classes you can take like kickboxing or yoga or even try out a rock-climbing class. Many gyms have climbing walls, and after being cooped up inside due to the cold weather, a good climb can definitely make you feel better and add a bit of fun to your day.
Final Thoughts
It goes without saying that traveling in winter can be challenging. However, many destinations like Disney World or the Christmas market have exercise built into the experience. Your other possibilities include renting bikes or even horses in warmer climates. Colder climates allow for skiing and snowboarding. However, when all else fails, a simple routine that you can do in your hotel room or the hotel gym will keep you in tiptop shape no matter where you travel.
