My work requires that I travel about once a month for 3-5 days. I always pack several sets of workout clothes as well as my running shoes but I can never seem to get to the gym or out for a run.

Hotel “Fitness rooms”, and I use that term very lightly, tend to be pretty sorry. Actually, lets be frank, they suck. Usually some sort of Universal all-in-one weight machine and either a stationary bike or old treadmill. Oh, and of course, lots of mirrors to make the room look big.

My last trip was to Portland, I stayed at a very nice Crowne Plaza and managed to get to the gym once in 5 days and only lifted weights for about 20 minutes and did 15 minutes on the treadmill. I just can’t seem to get into the routine. And Portland is like the runners capital of the US.

When I’m home I’m alway looking ahead to my next workout, but on the road, it’s like another person takes over. I’m more concerned with the good places to eat, places to see, the entertainment, work, and in the case of the Portland trip, the awesome coffee shops.

You guys who travel, what do you do? I’ll probably be going to Phoenix this month and Houston next. I’m thinking about leaving my gym clothes at home and saving the suitcase space.

Have you ever listened to the podcast Burning 20? That guy travels all the time and runs in every city he’s in. He is also a friend of Scott, which I find interesting. I can’t imagine them sitting down talking together. But I’d go there.

Bree

I’m a road warrior myself and have traveled as much as every week - Sunday Red eye from SF to to the east coast and back Thursday night.  I always pack workout shoes and at least one set of micro fiber workout clothes.  Micro fibers are great - I can rinse everything in the morning after my workout, wring out very well, hang in the shower and they’re ready to go the next morning.  If rinsing isn’t enough, I travel with a small bottle of bio-suds - just a couple of drops in the sink, quick wash, and the clothes are clean and fresh again.  They also pack very small - there goes your excuse of suitcase space.  Worst case would be to bring two sets, one to wear, one to wash. 

You’re right about hotel gyms, some are good, some not so good.  One of my criteria when booking travel.  I also belong to 24 Hr Fitness and they have real gyms in many areas.  I also make a point of doing some stretching in the room.  I’m considering some of those travel weights that you can fill with water for some resistance training, but never went that far. 

I struggled for months and finally realized that morning is my only option to work out.  Otherwise team dinners, client meetings and everything else gets in the way.  I really feel great going into my first meeting of the day fresh and energized.  This even worked when I was traveling west to east.  It would be really easy traveling east to west. 

I’ve been home for the past 3 months but my travel is going to pick back up in about 3 weeks.  I have a trip to Florida next week (vacation - that will have it’s own challenges) then international travel to Turkey.  I’m looking forward to meeting the challenge of workouts on the road.

Hi Kevin,

Have you considered exercises that don’t require machines or weights?  There’s tons of stuff you can do with just your own body and a floor: push-ups, sit-ups, squats, most core exercises, etc.  In fact, a quick google search yielded me a whole bunch of complete workout routines that don’t require any equipment!  No more excuses about bad hotel gyms! 

Here are a few, and I’m sure you could find more if you did the search yourself:

- No Equipment Travel Workout
- No Weight Workout
- Body Weight Workout Part 1 and Part 2
- 15 Minute Travel Workout

If you devote 15-20 minutes each morning to workout out, you’ll get into the routine in no time.  And if you’re feeling really adventurous, stop by a grocery store and pick up a few cans of food to use as weights.  *grin*

Good luck!

Cheers,
Julie

Love the replies, ladies!

I will make a point to run once in every city I travel to. I think that sounds really cool and don’t know why I didn’t start sooner. I just need to make sure I find a good part of town to run. Usually the hotel section of town is safe but not always, ever been to Detroit (vomit).

Paula you are such an inspiration. Most of my travel is to the west coast and I end up spending the first 2 mornings of every trip killing 2 hours reading the USA Today at the breakfast buffet. Until my body adjusts to the time change, I’m usually up by 4:30. Plenty of time to do one of Julie’s body weight workouts and get in a short run at sunrise.

Thanks,

Thanks for the great tips.  I leave for Rome tomorrow night and I will try some of these workouts out.  I know I will get plenty of walking in from what everyone has told me.

Have a great day everyone!
Karen

Kevin,
I used to travel every week like paula but the areas we would hit would be considered the sticks.  One thing that worked for me was asking at the hotel if they had an agreement with a local gym or Y. In a lot of cases there was an agreement where guests could use the facilities for free because the hotel (Fairfield, HI Express, etc) didn’t have facilities.  Sometimes a talk with the manager of a local gym would garner free passes or a reduced $5 for 4 days of workout plan.

The other thing to check out is running groups in the area that you’re going to be at. I know in Portland when I was downtown I saw this large group of runners emerge from the local Nike store and head out for a group run one evening.  Google running groups and running stores for the area you’ll be at and see if the shop has any knowledge of fun runs in the evenings.

I also look for HS/Colleges nearby that have a track, alot of times you can get your runs in there and meet other runners that are getting their stride on.

Good Luck!