Stay Fit While Traveling: 5 Travel Workout Ideas & Equipment

If you’re a frequent traveler or always on the go, fitting in a workout routine can be a challenge. Signing up for a gym membership when you’re on the road 50% of the time feels like a waste of money. And you can’t exactly pack dumbbells in your suitcase! 

But just because you’re a frequent traveler doesn’t mean you have to give up on your fitness goals. With these 5 travel workout tips, you can squeeze a workout into your busy on-the-go routine:

Tip #1: Sweat While You Explore

Whether you’re traveling for work or pleasure, chances are you’re not near your home base. This means there are plenty of new spots to explore. But instead of deciding between being a tourist and getting in a quick sweat, why not do both?

With these active ideas you can explore the area and get in a great workout:

Seek Out Nearby Trails

Lace up the hiking boots and explore some local trails. As you summit steep paths or seek out beautiful views, you’ll be getting in a great cardio workout. On a work trip with little time for activities? Walk around the block or explore a nearby neighborhood in between meetings.

Go for a Run

Turn your new location exploration into a workout by power walking or running your way from one destination to the next. It’s a great way to get in a workout while exploring the area you’re visiting. And it’s a lot more fun than running on your small hotel gym’s treadmill. 

Rent a Bike

You can see even more sites on two wheels rather than two legs. And like running or walking, riding a bike is a great cardiovascular exercise. Depending on where you’re traveling, there might be city bikes to rent. Or you can head to your local bike shop to learn more about their short-term rental rates.

Explore a Local Swimming Hole

For those hotter travel destinations, there’s nothing better than cooling off in a good swimming spot. Pack your goggles and a swimsuit and go for a few laps. 

Find a Local Playground or Park

Playgrounds and parks can quickly double as adult outdoor gyms. Use a picnic bench to rep out some tricep dips or elevated push-ups. Practice box jumps on the playground steps, pull-ups on the monkey bars, or hill sprints in the park. With a little bit of creativity, you’ve got plenty of equipment at your fingertips for a full-body workout.  

Tip #2: Join a Fitness Class or Try a Local Experience

When traveling to a new destination you likely want to experience that local destination. And one of the best ways to do that is to immerse yourself in the culture. 

What can you do in this new place that you can’t do at home? Is there something you’ve always wanted to try? Or better yet, what do the locals do for fun?

Taking a class or signing up for a new activity is a great way to stay fit while having an immersive travel experience that you’ll remember forever. 

Here are some great travel workout ideas to try:

• Take a surfing lesson
• Sign up for a salsa class
• Rent a stand-up paddleboard
• Roll out your yoga mat on the beach
• Join a local running, hiking, or biking club for the day
• Or take part in a pickup soccer game with the locals!

Not only will you meet new people, try a new activity, and experience the local culture but you’ll also be getting in a great workout (without ever really feeling like you’re working out!). Which makes it one of the best ways to stay fit while traveling. 

Tip #3: Pack Portable Workout Equipment

While weight restrictions make it impossible to travel with all your workout gear, you’re not limited to outdoor cardio. There are travel-ready, portable workout equipment options that you can take with you on your adventures, like resistance bands or a VR headset:

VR Headset

If you have room in your bag for a Meta Quest VR headset, then you can take a full-body workout with you wherever you go. Litesport combines hit music, game dynamics, and expert training to create the world's most immersive (and travel-ready!) workouts. By combining innovative boxing, full body, and strength training workouts, Litesport creates the ultimate virtual reality fitness experience. It’s like having one of our world-class Trainers on vacation with you, guiding and motivating your every punch as you build technique, power, and confidence. 

Resistance Bands

Resistance bands are small and lightweight, making them easy to travel with. Not to mention that they’re also an effective strength training tool. Wrap a resistance band around your foot, a hotel desk, or on the monkey bars at the playground and you can rep out a ton of different strength training exercises like overhead presses, bicep curls, or tricep extensions.

Weightlifting Sandbags

Sandbags are super easy to pack in your travel bag (when they’re not filled with sand of course!). Once you get to your destination you can head to the beach or anywhere with sand or rocks to spare to add weight to your bag. Grab onto the handles or place the sandbag on your shoulders for a weighted strength training routine that you can do just about anywhere. 

Jump Rope

Not only is a jump rope light and easy to travel with, but it also just so happens to be a boxer’s best friend. And that’s because jumping rope helps build strength, speed, agility, coordination, balance, and more. Plus, they’re great practice for staying light on your feet. All things that you need in the boxing ring! 

Even if you only have time to jump rope for a few minutes, it’s still a great workout. Or pair jumping rope with some bodyweight strength training exercises for a full workout routine. Either way, it won’t take long until you're elevating your heart rate and building up a sweat. 

Tip #4: Take an Online or Virtual Workout Class

In today’s digital world, all you really need is a wifi connection to get in a good workout. There’s a whole world wide web of workouts available to you that are only one click away. 

And with new fitness VR options like Litesport, you can enter a boxing ring or fitness gym without ever leaving your hotel room. In other words, the workout can come to you, no matter where in the world you are. So even if you’re on the go, you’re never really that far from a good workout.

Litesport Strength Training

Build full-body power and strength with our Strength Training workouts. In Strength workouts, our certified trainers guide you through tried-and-true strength training exercises, incorporating real dumbbells and weights. Although most classes use dumbbells, you can swap for bodyweight if you're on the go!

Tip #5: Don’t Forget to Plan Ahead

There are plenty of ways to stay active as you’re visiting a new destination. But no matter which option you choose you can set yourself up for success by planning ahead. 

• Schedule out time for workouts before you jet off to your destination
• Research nearby parks, trails, or playgrounds
• Get set up with your Litesport Membership before you leave
• And don’t forget to pack your VR headset and portable workout equipment!

With enough advanced planning, you’ll be able to tackle your fitness goals while maintaining a busy travel schedule. 

Learn more about Litesport and start your 7-day free trial for the ultimate engaging (and travel-ready!) full-body workout.