If you’re someone who travels a lot, then you know just how difficult it can be to have a solid workout schedule on the road. And there are many reasons for that. Typically, when we travel, we’re always in a rush – to find out how to get from one place to the other, to make sure we’re on time for all kinds of modes of transportation, and we always look to leave some room for failure. So the first problem we face is lack of time. Then a second one arises – lack of equipment. Not every hotel that you go to will have a fitness center, and even the ones that do are often not equipped enough for a good workout – a fact that demotivates a ton of people.
With that said, if you’re someone keen on keeping a good training schedule, even in the midst of travel, then this article is just for you. In it, we’re going to talk about all the workout travel essentials that you should be bringing and which ones you should be leaving at home. And be prepared to get a full list here, as we’re going to discuss everything from chalk in liquid form to wrist wraps and lifting belts.
So now, without stalling further, let’s get started.
6 Travel Workout Essentials
The key word here is “essentials” – meaning that these are only items that you CANNOT be without. However, that doesn’t make the rest of your accessories unnecessary, so keep that in mind as you go on reading this article.
Workout Shoes
The very first thing that you have to make sure you pack is a good pair of workout shoes. Here, we’d recommend going for a cross-training shoe – one that you can use for running, lifting, and other types of training with no issues. You could also choose to go for a running sneaker, but the reality is that they’re just not comfortable enough if you want to lift heavy – so if you do go for them, make sure also to choose the right kinds of workouts they’re fit for.
Clothes for Training
This one is fairly obvious, so we won’t spend a lot of time debating it – having proper clothes for working out is an absolute must. Training in jeans, let alone other types of pants, is completely wrong as they limit your movement, and let’s be honest, it also looks ridiculous.
Resistance Bands with Handles
If you want to do resistance training, but your hotel or AirBnB doesn’t have a gym, the easiest solution to this problem is to bring a set of resistance bands with handles. That way, you will have the opportunity to get a quick full-body workout outdoors that will feel as challenging as you would like it to.
Portable Suspension Trainers
Suspension trainers typically don’t take up a ton of space in your luggage. However, they remain a terrific accessory for working the upper body and the core. They will enable you to get a good workout in, regardless of where you are and are a fantastic addition to your travel training bag.
Jump Rope
If you want to get some cardio in, but you’re not a fan of running, or you simply feel like you don’t know the place well enough to run there, then the jump rope is your best friend. It takes up little to no space, weighs almost nothing, and gives you the ability to do a quick HIIT session on the go at any time. Here, our tip would be to invest in a high-quality rope, as it will last longer, and you will be able to carry it on your travels for years to come.
Lacrosse Balls
Typically, traveling consists of many hours sleeping on planes, dragging luggage around airports and train stations, while also walking like you’re getting paid for it. All of that physical activity is enough to make our muscles feel tired, and if you add a few training sessions, then it will be more than necessary to pack some lacrosse balls to help loosen your muscles and enable you to do proper mobility training on the go.
In Conclusion
As you can see, traveling and working out is possible as long as you’re willing to plan ahead and pack accordingly. Having said that, don’t beat yourself up if you’re not able to train with the same intensity on the road as you do back home – the only thing important here is that you’re keeping the body moving and your muscles working. As always, if you have any recommendations for other travel workout essentials, don’t hesitate to let us know about them in the comments – we will be reading them all eagerly.