Work It Out On The Road

Going on vacation this summer? Or maybe you’re trying to get into shape for the summer but too much business travel is getting in the way. Whether you’re away from your regular workout routine for business or pleasure fitting in exercise is always a conundrum. Big meals, lots of high-calorie beverages, and odd sleep schedules can quickly derail a workout route, or worse it could make you lose motivation to start back up when you get home.

I checked in with an expert on the topic to get her best ideas on squeezing in a workout on the road. Jarren Pester: business traveler, fitness devotee, and my old college roommate…ok maybe she isn’t a clinical ‘expert’ on staying fit while on the road, but the girl travels 75% for her job and still maintains some ripped biceps and abs. Not to mention she’s still like the rest of us and is known to frequent the airport watering holes. I prefer taking advice from a lady with a banging bod that isn’t afraid to enjoy her summer days with a few rounds of margaritas. You all have my recommendation; this is a real person that makes a workout routine on the road successful.

Jarren, what are your best tips for staying fit on the road this summer?

• Plan ahead – I never book a hotel room without ensuring that they have a fitness facility.  Occasionally, hotels will partner with local gyms or fitness studios so take advantage of that option too.
• Give yourself options – I find that hotel fitness rooms are convenient but often small and crowded with dated equipment.  I take advantage of my own body weight as part of my training regimen.  If the gym doesn’t meet my expectations, I have a list of ten activities I can do in the privacy of my hotel room or in the hotel parking lot.  I select at least five of the ten activities so that I have some variety in my workout.  I rotate between burpees (ouch!), mountain climbers, planks, pushups, triceps dips, crunches, lunges, squats, and jumping or star jacks. Write this list in your phone, you’ll always have it with you.
• Ask the locals – I am a runner so I ask about local running paths when I check into a hotel.  I normally run in the mornings so I make sure to ask if the path is safe or well-lit in the morning hours.
• Get up 30 minutes earlier – Travel is unpredictable and days are long especially when traveling with co-workers.  I set my phone alarm and reserve a wakeup call to make sure I accomplish a workout in the morning.  That way, I feel less guilty if I indulge in a three-course work dinner or happy hour later in the evening.
• Drink water– I used to not drink enough water when traveling so I carry a Brita water bottle to filter any tap water I find.  If I forget it, it is worth the splurge on bottled water, especially if I am boarding a flight.  Flying is very dehydrating.  I notice it in my skin and my thirst.  Do not be afraid to ask the flight attendant for water throughout the flight.
• Do not make excuses – I could think of 100 reasons not to exercise on the road.  I forgot my gym shoes.  It’s too cold/dark/hot outside. I am too tired.  Those are the same excuses I make at home.  I never travel with workout videos or resistance bands.  It is one more thing to forget plus it is easy to exercise in almost any environment.  A few laps up and down the airport terminal (rather than waiting in the gate area) can be your cardio and nobody will notice glute squeezes during a long flight.