Since I became a trainer, one of the most often questions I’m asked by clients has been “Can you design a travel workout for me?”
The “working out while traveling factor” is critical because missing workouts while traveling can effectively eliminate the improvements you have worked hard for while performing your regular exercise program.
If I just wanted to be a “pain master” as one current client has called me, I’d say “Just find a gym where you are traveling to and get your regular workout done. No excuses. Just do it.”
Well, that’s one strategy. And it’s probably the best solution in the right circumstances.
However, there are times when that strategy is more inconvenient than we are willing to deal with.
When my clients travel, I ask them to pack a couple resistance tubes in their suitcase and ask them to follow a calisthenics based routine during each day of the week. Here is a sample routine that could be done daily for someone who already has a moderate level of fitness and has no orthopedic problems:
Jumping Jacks (until you sweat or begin to breath hard… yes, I know it’s old school)
Bodyweight squats (until fatigue)
Pushups (until fatigue)
Reverse Lunges, one leg at a time (until fatigue)
Rows with resistance tubing (until fatigue)
Shoulder presses with resistance tubing (until fatigue)
Shoulder side raises with resistance tubing (until fatigue)
Tricep Kickbacks with resistance tubing (until fatigue)
Abdominal crunches (until fatigue)
1-leg calve raises (until fatigue)
*Repeat 2-3 times taking approximately twenty to thirty minutes. Utilize rest periods of approximately twenty to thirty seconds between exercises.
**Cooldown: Perform yoga poses of your choice for ten minutes
You’re going to feel great after this workout!
Doug Jackson, M.Ed., CSCS is the owner of Personal Fitness Advantage, a high-end personal fitness training business in Weston, Florida. Doug also publishes and is Editor-in-Chief of Fitness Empowerment, an industry leading electronic newsletter that accepts free subscriptions at http://www.personalfitnessadvantage.com. His forthcoming work, Family Fit Plan (http://www.familyfitplan.com) is geared towards helping families spend quality time together and get in great shape at the same time. For media stories, personalized consulting, or to attend one of Doug’s educational programs, visit his website at http://www.personalfitnessadvantage.com.
