Staying Fit While You Travel

When traveling it can be difficult to stick to your normal fitness routine. Your schedule is often different, and if you're there on vacation you may not always want to exercise. However, if keeping your routine as normal as possibile is important to you, these suggestions should help you get the most out of your next trip.

1. Pack a few items. Bringing a few essential items with you can help get you to stick to your routine. If you're sneakers are in your suitcase staring at you every morning, I'm sure you will have to throw them on! Packing a few things such as running shoes, a resistance band, or an exercise DVD to pop into your laptop can be very helpful. You may want to avoid bringing too much equipment or heavier items such as free weights as this can lead to additional travel expenses and aren't really necessary for a small trip.
2. Check your amenities. Before booking your hotel check and see what the hotel offers in terms of fitness. Look up the gym on the website and see if it offers enough of what you'll need in order to squeeze your workout in. If you can't find the information online, call and ask. And if the hotel doesn't really suit your fitness needs it may be beneficial to consider a different location that does if at all possible.
3. Check local locations. A lot of local gyms and fitness studios have a small drop-in fee for a day of use, or fees based on individual classes. Do a little research before you travel and see what locations are close to where you'll be staying and give them a call. If you explain your situation to the person in charge they are more than likely going to be able to offer you some pretty decent options at a reasonable price.
4. Walk. When all else fails try to walk as often as possible when traveling or sight-seeing instead of taking cabs or public transportation. You'll get more of a feel for the new area you're visiting and you'll be staying as active as possible.
5. Use what you have. You can use a lot of basic items to help you get a workout in. You can use the chair in your hotel room to do step-ups, tricep dips, and a lot of other great exercise moves. You can also use basic household items as a substitute for free weights when you are visiting friends and family. Water bottles and cans of soup are good options.

What are your stay health and fit tips for when you travel?