Hopefully, you have been inspired by the change of seasons (and perhaps my blogs) and are now a few weeks into your new fitness routine. Now that you are advancing nicely you want to make sure you stay on track. This means following your exercise regime regardless of if you are at home or on the road. Whether you are traveling for business or you’re taking a short family vacation, being away from your gym shouldn’t be an excuse to halt your workouts.
Executing your fitness plan on the road may be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Instead of looking at your trip as a wrench in your workout plan, consider it an opportunity to try new exercises. For example, if you are a runner hit the trails at a local park near your hotel. The change of scenery will likely make your jog a lot more interesting. Or if you normally spend 30 minutes on a bike at home, consider swimming for a half hour in your hotel’s pool. Or experiment with the hotel’s cardio equipment. Most moderately priced hotels and motels have at least one stationary bike, a treadmill or an elliptical trainer. In addition, if you don’t belong to a gym at home a business trip provides you with the opportunity to use the hotel’s weightlifting equipment. Strength training is a great way to round out a workout that consists solely of aerobic activity.
If you are a die-hard runner and plan to hit the streets to workout in your destination city there are a few precautions you should take before lacing up and heading out. For example, it’s a good idea to consult with the hotel’s concierge or other staff members to get the lay of the land. In most cases hotel staff will be able to direct you to a safe place to run (a local park, arboretum, high school track, etc.). Another option is to team up for a group run with your fellow colleagues, your boss or family members—remember, there is safety in numbers.
Also, never leave the hotel without proper identification. You should also wear bright or reflective clothing that makes you visible to motorists—-this is especially important if you are running at dawn or dusk. If you are running in a major city consider carrying a whistle or pepper spray. And finally, if you find running with a cellphone cumbersome at least carry change for an emergency phone call.
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