Who says we have to sacrifice fitness for travel? Traveling doesn’t mean that we must stop working out or paying attention to our health. On the contrary, it is exactly the opposite. Especially when we are traveling, it is more important than ever to make sure we are staying healthy and fit to take on any new adventure that awaits.
I’m not talking about going to a gym or signing up for a workout class. Incorporating fitness and health into travel is much simpler than that! All it takes is a little creativity and a willingness to try something new. Use fitness as an opportunity to explore a new city or see a town from a new point of view. Like running? Try a jog around your new location and not only do you gain health benefits, but you also get to know the city and see parts of it that you may have missed otherwise! Running not your thing? Try walking or cycling instead. You can also take advantage of any vantage points nearby and do some hiking or climbing to experience a new view.
During my recent visit to San Diego, California, I dragged myself out of bed early on a few days to go out for a run. Those early morning runs made me comfortable navigating the city, and revealed some spectacular views of the bay that I would never have gotten a chance to see. One of the things I love about running in a new city is the people. It’s so interesting to see the different types of people you see out for a jog in different cities.
As always, keep your safety in mind and have a friend join you when possible. Some locations are obviously better than others for getting outside and roaming the streets, so make sure your desired activity is appropriate and safe.
There are so many opportunities to stay active when you are traveling and it can sometimes be even more fun than staying active at home! The key is to make sure you are doing something you enjoy, then find a way to tie that in to your travels.
How do you stay fit while traveling? Let me know in the comments!
41 Comments
10 Reasons Travelers Should Run - Little Things Travel Blog
December 6, 2015 at 1:38 pm[…] pace, consider that your “run.” What it really comes down to is maintaining any kind of physical activity while traveling, and you may be able to avoid a whole slew of negative travel side affects. Need more convincing? […]
Ashley @ A Southern Gypsy
July 24, 2014 at 7:03 pmI’m horrible about actually exercising but fortunately we love outdoors travel and hike a whole lot. I still need to up my game though haha
Marissa Sutera
July 24, 2014 at 7:13 pmOutdoorsy activities like hiking are a great way to keep moving while also enjoying it! Thanks for reading Ashley!
Adelina // PackMeTo
July 24, 2014 at 1:23 pmI’m terrible when it comes to exercising when I travel. The only thing I do is walk. A lot! I’m not the biggest fan of running, but I’m trying to get into it. I can see it being a good way of exploring a new place though.
Marissa Sutera
July 24, 2014 at 3:46 pmWalking works just as well if that’s your thing! Any way to stay active can make you feel a whole lot more energized which is always necessary when traveling!
Christa Thompson
July 23, 2014 at 1:44 pmAbsolutely! We fancy Hiking at home as well as and especially, away from home. 🙂
Marissa Sutera
July 23, 2014 at 1:55 pmHi Christa,
Hiking is one of my favorites as well. Thanks for reading! 🙂
Caroline
July 23, 2014 at 11:27 amGreat post! There are so many active things to do when travelling. A lot of destinations are perfect for hiking, kayaking and biking while some are not.. I’ve traveled to some larger cities and my best advice is to walk everywhere. There is no need to grab a taxi or take the subway. I’m leaving for California in two weeks and I hope to stay active during my vacation (I guess I’ll enjoy quite a few hamburgers.. haha).. Biking in Venice, running in Golden Gate Park, strolling around downtown San Diego and hiking in the Santa Monica mountains.
Marissa Sutera
July 23, 2014 at 11:34 amThanks Caroline! I’m sure you will have many opportunities to be active in California!
Amy @ Amy and the Great World
July 23, 2014 at 12:17 amHonestly I think I am most healthy when I am traveling! There is so much new stuff I want to get out and see you and have to be active for that 🙂
Marissa Sutera
July 23, 2014 at 7:54 amVery true! Travel can actually force you to be more active, and it can be a lot of fun too! Thanks for reading Amy 🙂
Jess
July 23, 2014 at 12:09 amI definitely need to work on this myself – I generally walk around so much when I’m traveling that I have a hard time convincing myself to do anything else. Lately I’ve been trying to do at least a bit of yoga everyday, which is working fairly well.
Marissa Sutera
July 23, 2014 at 7:53 amYoga is a great way to refresh your body while traveling. If you need that extra push, maybe try looking into some group activities. Some places have running/biking clubs or sometimes there are even running and biking tours of the city! Could be worth a try!
caminioca
July 22, 2014 at 9:57 pmI definitely do a lot of fitness when I’m travelling – I think the best way to discover a place is by walking and getting lost and walking more and at the end of the day you’re so tired and your legs hurt but you feel so accomplished! I love the idea of cycling as well! Will look into that, thanks for the suggestion 🙂
Marissa Sutera
July 23, 2014 at 7:51 amYou are very welcome! It’s becoming more and more common to be able to rent bikes in cities across the world, so it is a great option to take advantage of!
Mrs C
July 22, 2014 at 4:57 pmWe normally add hiking, outdoor sports ( especially if the boys are with us) or simply long walks in our travel. Last visit to south Italy we climbed a lot of stairs.. a lot since the area was hilly and getting around means taking steps up and down.
Marissa Sutera
July 23, 2014 at 7:50 amAll great ideas! Those are fun ways to get in some exercise and also get to see a different viewpoint thanks to those hills 🙂
DianaDeGzz
July 22, 2014 at 11:04 amDepending on the city we usually do a lot of walking when in a new place, but we’ve never done it in terms of going for a jog/running.. 🙂
Marissa Sutera
July 22, 2014 at 1:51 pmA walk works just as well! I enjoy running, and feel like I can cover more ground that way but it’s all about finding what you like to do. Thanks for reading!
Amye Mae
July 22, 2014 at 9:01 amI love your point about getting out for run makes navigating the city a bit easier later on in your day. I’ve definitely found that to be the case!
Marissa Sutera
July 22, 2014 at 1:49 pmIt really can be a big help, plus you feel a whole lot more refreshed for the day ahead!
Sammy @ Days Like This
July 22, 2014 at 6:59 amI do think there are a lot of opportunities to fit exercise in while you travel. Sometimes just the general walking around all day will do it for you! Then, because you are traveling, it doesn’t feel as much like exercise 😉
Marissa Sutera
July 22, 2014 at 7:37 amVery true! “Travel exercise” can be a lot more fun than doing it at home!
Van @ Snow in Tromso
July 22, 2014 at 6:27 amI love to go hiking and I love to take pictures of cities from above so whenever I’m visiting a city where I get that opportunity, I take it and climb that hill/mountain just to get the perfect picture! Also when I’m on a city trip I’m constantly running around, from one sight to the other so I’m definitely doing more exercise on holiday than at home 😀
Marissa Sutera
July 22, 2014 at 6:43 amIn many cases, it can even be easier to exercise more often than at home, and it can be a lot more fun! Hiking is one of my favorites as well, and the views are always a perk!
CarmensTravelTips
July 21, 2014 at 8:58 amI’m a morning person too. I agree it’s important to stay advice when you’re traveling especially, since people tend to over eat. We always try and hit the gym at the hotels or go bike riding. My husband is the runner in the family.
Marissa Sutera
July 21, 2014 at 9:25 amThe nice thing about traveling is that you usually end up doing a lot of walking anyway. Any small amount of activity is always helpful!
Anna | slightly astray
July 21, 2014 at 8:58 amI love that usually when you’re traveling, you’re doing A LOT of walking around a new city. The only problem I have with that is that a lot of walking makes me hungry faster, so then I end up eating more! And then it probably doesn’t become healthy anymore, hehe.
Marissa Sutera
July 21, 2014 at 9:23 amThe walking does help a lot! I like to think that balances out all the delicious food I eat when traveling 🙂
Travelling Penster (@travellingpens)
July 20, 2014 at 11:41 amGreat post! I love arriving in a new place and exploring by foot. In my opinion, t’s the best way to get your bearings, scope out where you might like to explore later, and some exercise too! 🙂
Marissa Sutera
July 20, 2014 at 9:44 pmIt sure is! That is always the first thing I’m ready to do when arriving in a new place, and one other bonus is that it usually helps fight off any jet lag as well. Thanks for reading!
Mandie
July 20, 2014 at 6:03 amWell you have sufficiently guilted me into working out on the road despite my plethora of excuses not to. 😉 I walk a lot, but that’s mostly because I get lost frequently and I’m too cheap to spring for a taxi. Before I left I was running 5-6 miles a day…now I bet I couldn’t make it a mile. Pathetic. Okay, more hiking, less stuffing delicious pastries into my face! Haha
Marissa Sutera
July 20, 2014 at 9:42 pmThe way I see it, the more I work out the more pastries I get to eat! How’s that for an excuse to eat those delicious goodies 🙂 But walking will suffice just fine, and it sure is a great (and cheap) way of getting around!
budgettraveltalk
July 20, 2014 at 4:16 amWe really enjoy walking when travelling. It is such a good way of seeing up close and personal. We also like bike tours because we still see life up close but can cover more ground than when walking.
Marissa Sutera
July 20, 2014 at 9:39 pmThere are great benefits to both! Thanks for reading!
basketslife
July 19, 2014 at 10:33 pmVery True – we always find a way to stay active, running, walking and the best part is that you can explore along the way so it does not really seem like “working out” it much more fun – so true! Thank you for sharing!
Marissa Sutera
July 19, 2014 at 10:56 pmThe benefits go both ways, and that’s what makes it so great! Thanks for reading!
libelletage
July 19, 2014 at 8:05 pmMy husband and I love waking up early to explore a new neighborhood with a walk. You’re right, it is a great way to see the place you are visiting.
Marissa Sutera
July 19, 2014 at 9:14 pmYes, the mornings especially! I am a big morning person, and there is just something about seeing a place before it “wakes up.” The tranquility of that moment is always so breathtaking!
Shelby
July 14, 2014 at 4:40 pmGreat pictures! My husband and I love hiking and running to explore new areas, especially the parks and nature of new places.
Marissa Sutera
July 14, 2014 at 4:43 pmThanks Shelby! Being active is such a great way to explore!