Staying fit and exercising is really important to us at two wild tides. It can be difficult to stay fit while jet setting across the globe. If you’re hostel hopping, as many of us are it’s unlikely that you’ll have access to a gym facility. However, it’s still important to get your workouts in to help keep you alert, engaged and ready to sight see for hours! I’m going to share with you some of my favorite exercises to take on the road.
I like to mix and match exercises from this list to create a little circuit. It doesn’t matter how much time you have, whether it’s an hour or fifteen minutes: you can squeeze something in. Most of these exercises can be done either inside or outside, you could squeeze a workout in on a beach, a hostel common room, a park, a sidewalk, just about any place you can find will work. I don’t bring any equipment with me when I travel other than a skipping rope. Skipping ropes are small, they fold up well and are an easy addition to any backpack, plus it’s a simple way to get a little cardio.
My Favourites:
Jumping Jacks – Try to increase speed and repetition, quick feet
Squat Jumps – Basic squat but instead of standing back up, use legs to power a jump back up (**Added challenge: play with height of jump)
Step Ups – Find a nearby step, bench or rock; go to town with high-intensity intervals
Skipping – Great for warm-ups & cardio
Push Ups – Keep core engaged
Broad Jumps – Two foot forward jump, use power in legs and upper body; don’t overextend knees (**Added challenge: play with distance of jump, further each time)
Sprints – basic sprints, hill sprints, winders (start slow, pick up speed to 80-90%, end slow)
Lunges – Basic walking lunges, ensure that knee doesn’t extend past toes, engage core
Squats – Basic squats: play with foot positions, ensure that knees stay in line with ankles and don’t extend past toes
Inch Worms – Begin by touching toes, walk hands out to a high plank, walk feet back into hands, repeat
Planks – Engage core, plank either on hands, elbows, side planks (**Added challenge: hold for longer time periods)
Bicycle Crunches – Lay on back alternating bringing opposite knee to elbow
Yoga – Sun salutations are great warm-ups, play with different poses, have fun
Make sure you also check out local outdoor adventures in your region of travel. Perhaps there are some cheap/free drop-in exercise classes, hikes, walking trails, swimming pools or maybe consider renting a bike. Regardless, have fun, stay safe and embrace the adventure. I encourage you to make up your own workouts to take on the road. Be creative. Use some of these suggestions and incorporate some of your favourite exercises.
How do you stay fit while travelling? What are some of your favourite equipment-free exercises?
Let us know what you think!