fitness while traveling - JP Fitness Forums

Dcramsey · 03-24-2008, 06:26 PM

I am getting ready to start a job that will require extensive traveling. My recreational exercise is road bike cycling. I am considering buying a bike specifically for traveling. It's problematic due to the pain in the ass factor. Kind of like taking your golf clubs everwhere. I've started to think, I'll just find a gym wherever I am.
My question is, How do you guys who travel stay fit? First, it's a given that most Hotel fitness rooms suck. They have one half working treadmill and a set of dumbells or worse...A Universal type unit.
Bands are a interesting idea, easy to travel with etc....
What do most of you road warriors do?

Jean-Paul · 03-24-2008, 06:37 PM

Three words:

Resistance Band Training.

Portable. Kick ass. I would choose it over a gym in most cases anyway.

missjane · 03-24-2008, 06:45 PM

I call ahead to my hotel and ask about good gyms in the area. Sometimes the hotel even has an arrangement and I can get a free pass. I've never had a problem finding a gym when I travel for work.

Frank.S · 03-24-2008, 07:25 PM

When i go somewhere I just find a gym and pay a drop-in rate.

Im really picky about gyms for the most part, but sometimes you gotta compromise.

JoshDunn · 03-24-2008, 08:21 PM

All depends on what your travel schedule is. If its only a few days a week then I arrange a program that means I do a few days in a row then take the time away off.

If its more time but at one place then I'd chat to a gym manager and organize a 2-3 week pass or month or whatever your time is.

If its a new place every other day then you have some organizing to do.

Phaedrus49er · 03-25-2008, 03:15 AM

A quick search here and on T-Nation for bodyweight workouts yields some good results, and there's always Christian Thibaudeau's MacGyver workout and Craig Ballantyne's YouTube bodyweight offerings, but JP has it right. I bought some TheraBands awhile back and have used them when I'm away from a gym with great satisfaction (I do recommend tubing over banding). Check out his circuit workout on YouTube--I get tired just watching it.

liftintexas · 03-25-2008, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missjane

I call ahead to my hotel and ask about good gyms in the area. Sometimes the hotel even has an arrangement and I can get a free pass. I've never had a problem finding a gym when I travel for work.

Ditto. and sometimes check with your home gym as they have a network to which they may belong and give you a discount on day rates at gyms. Try to do your research before you get to the area. I almost always scout the area in advance of traveling to find where I can lift.

Willie · 03-25-2008, 09:48 AM

I'd also invest in a TRX Suspension Trainer with the door holder thingy. You can use it in your hotel room (a great compliment to bands, I think), or you can hang it somewhere in the crappy hotel gym.

I don't know how to make those words "clicky" but you can google it.

kfisherx · 03-25-2008, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missjane

I call ahead to my hotel and ask about good gyms in the area. Sometimes the hotel even has an arrangement and I can get a free pass. I've never had a problem finding a gym when I travel for work.

This is true in the states but in China and in Israel it was not true. The gyms in the fine hotels I stayed in were not first rate. Of course no matter where you go, cardio is always an option. I've yet to stay in any country where there wasn't a stationary bike or tready.

Tom@foresight · 03-26-2008, 05:42 AM

Definately look up local gyms!

I would also look at a set of resistance bands and body weight exercises. You do not always need a load of stuff to give yourself a great work out!

TOM

missjane · 03-26-2008, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kfisherx

This is true in the states but in China and in Israel it was not true. The gyms in the fine hotels I stayed in were not first rate. Of course no matter where you go, cardio is always an option. I've yet to stay in any country where there wasn't a stationary bike or tready.

I didn't think about international......there are no gyms in China or Israel???

Rawgrip · 03-26-2008, 08:17 AM

Take a skipping rope or buy one on location, couple bodyweight circuits plus skipping can sure be a substitute for regular training.

kfisherx · 03-26-2008, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missjane

I didn't think about international......there are no gyms in China or Israel???

I saw a few nicer ones in some of the other hotels in Israel after I had been there for awhile but nothing that had an Oly bar. I would be suprised if there was a good gym anywhere in the city of Beijing. Perhaps there is but I didn't see anything that looked like one. International travel can be a crap shoot 'cause our stardard corporate gym thing just doesn't exist and to find a local one and negotiate a day pass in a new Language could be too much of a long shot.

Phaedrus49er · 03-26-2008, 08:58 AM

The few gyms I saw in Taiwan a few years ago looked like Nautilus demos.