When you travel, the one thing you may forget to pack is your workout. And no matter how in shape you might be, it's always hard to get back into your exercise routine when you return. The trick is to maintain some kind of physical activity while you're away (and walking to the vending machines at the end of the hall doesn't count!).
Gym Dandy
If you're staying at a hotel, find out if the hotel has a fitness center, and if so, what kind of equipment it has. You'd be surprised how many hotels boast a gym with outdated and virtually useless gear. If you are a swimmer, a hotel with a pool might be just enough for you to get some laps in. Some hotels have agreements with local gyms instead of maintaining one in house, and may offer discounts or even free use to the hotel's guests.
However, if you find you've checked into a gym-free hotel, bed and breakfast, or as we enter the season of holiday travel, you are staying with family, there is still hope. Here are some simple exercises that you can do no matter where you go.
- Grab a sturdy chair and do tricep dips.
- Sit on the chair, and using a couple of heavy books, or the yellow pages, do some arm curls.
- Need some cardio? If you are staying at a hotel use the emergency stairwells for step-ups, or do laps in the hallways. For a more intense workout do the laps combined with a run-walk up and down the stairs.
- There are also several yoga moves and stretches that you can do in your hotel room.
Be Prepared
- While you are packing for your trip, make some room for a pair of 3- to 5-lb. weights to use for curls in lieu of phone books.
- If you would like a stationary aerobic work out, take along a jump rope.
- Fitness rubber bands are great for strength training the arms and chest, not to mention compact for light packing!
- For motivation, also pack a portable C.D. or cassette player with headphones and bring along your favorite pumping up music!
- There may be a park near the hotel that you can work out in. If you are on a vacation with your family, look for places to rent bikes, or roller skates. Check out the possibility of nearby hiking trails that you can explore.
The key to keeping up your workout while you are away is learning to be flexible. It's important to remember that while you're on vacation, if you can't find the time necessary to do your normal workout, don't worry. Every little bit counts! 
