Staying in Shape for the Busy Business Traveler

Traveling often can wreak havoc on your work-out schedule. But a few tips, tricks and tweaks can overcome the challenge of staying fit, even when you’re on the road, in the air, or commuting across the country. Follow these helpful guidelines to stay in shape as a busy business traveler.

Portable Work-Out Equipment

The plethora of exercise equipment on the market today is mind-boggling. If you want a work-out tool to use in your hotel room, there’s no shortage of options. Consider small items, such as a pull-up bar, resistance bands, and a jump rope.

ABH -- Always Be Hydrating

Keep drinking water throughout your day. Hydration is healthy. It also helps you feel full more often and prevents you from drinking sugary, calorie-laden alternatives. When flying, keep an empty water bottle in your carry-on and fill up at the water fountain after you’ve gone through TSA to save money.

Don’t Take the Easy Routes

Skip the elevator, escalator and moving sidewalks in the airport and elsewhere. Instead, take the stairs and walk briskly to your gate. Don’t hop into an Uber or a Lyft to travel short distances. Walk! It will help you stay fit and make you feel better about yourself when you reach your destination.

Get to Know the Town

Staying in a new city or town? Look into taking a walking tour when you have free time. It’s a novel way of learning about the area, and you’ll really rack up those steps on your activity tracker! Free or guided – your budget, your choice. (Don’t forget to tip your guide!)

Yoga!

Yoga rocks for keeping you in shape and you can do it practically anywhere. Be sure to pack your travel yoga mat. If you can’t spare the time to get outdoors and enjoy nature during your session, augment it indoors with soothing sounds from a phone app.

Eat Right

This is probably one of the most difficult challenges for staying in shape while traveling on business. You’re faced with numerous business lunches and dinners, snacks during meetings and quick food-on-the-go between commitments. It’s vital that you eat-in when you can. Start your day off right with lean choices from that complimentary continental breakfast and ask for the light fare when you’re eating out. When possible, pick restaurants that offer healthy options and hotel rooms with a microwave and a mini-fridge.

Scheduling and Discipline

If you’re the type of person who’s not comfortable “winging’ your gym session with substitutes, then make time in your day to get in your gym time. Most corporate or business hotels have on-site gyms for their guests. Make this a priority when scheduling your travel. Then, ensure you make time for your workout – be it getting up an hour earlier or staying up a bit later. Schedule it and stick to it.

Research, preparation, smart choices, commitment and self-control are all key in staying in shape while traveling on business. Use these tips and your own common sense to stay on track. One important factor in exercising and staying in shape is time. Scheduling a car service to get you where you need to be can be a great time-saver.