How to Stay Fit When You're Always Out of Town

Physical fitness is more than a good health practice or a means of getting activity into the day. It's a way of life that requires constant vigilance to keep up a regular routine. Even so, it can be harder for some people to keep a routine when the circumstances of their home life or employment disrupt the ability to regularly make time to work out, especially for people who travel for much of the week. Fortunately, there are a number of options to keep up with a healthy routine that don't involve packing a 55-pound kettlebell in your luggage.

Go for a Run

Regardless of your travels, almost every city, town, or rural area has a number of open areas where you can run, jog, or walk. Additionally, there are a number of websites that running enthusiasts use to upload different road/trail routes, most of which can be downloaded as PDFs or printed for future reference. Make sure to follow basic safety rules when running, especially if you are running at night.

Pick a Hotel With a Gym

When you pick a hotel, assuming you have a say in booking, it is always advisable to pick a hotel with a working gym and/or swimming pool. Hotel gyms usually have a wide variety of equipment, and access to equipment at most hours is widely available. For planning's sake, it might be a good idea to call ahead of your visit and ask the clerk when the hotel gym is least in use in order to arrange a temporary schedule while out of town.

Join a Gym With a Nationwide “Passport” Plan

A number of gyms across the country, including large chains, have an option that allows members to access other gyms in other cities, even ones that aren't part of the same chain. This is highly beneficial not only for work trips but also for family-based trips and vacations — especially for non-aerobic workout needs, such as weightlifting.

There are a number of other options for keeping fit on the road; lightweight workout cables and bands can be packed alongside your clothing, and bodyweight exercises can be performed in even cramped temporary quarters. The most important thing to remember is that you have to do it every day, and traveling away from home is no excuse to stop. If anything, adaptability to your environment will aid you in daily life in addition to helping you get in that workout on the road.