Let’s talk shop: do you have a job that requires occasional travel? Whether you’re a seasoned jetsetter or a roadshow newbie, business trips can be exhausting. In fact, a study by Hilton Hotels & Resorts found that productivity levels can drop for business travelers. The good news? Exercise is the best antidote. Those who exercised while traveling were more alert and reactive, performing an incredible 61 percent better than non-exercisers.
So how do you stay fit while traveling for work? Being on the road can throw everything out of whack, especially when you’re used to a particular routine. Try these five tips to help you stay healthy, even when you’re on the company’s schedule.
5 Stay-Fit Tips When Traveling for Work
Bring your own equipment. Jump ropes, resistance bands, and slider disks (or small hand towels) are easy and compact workout tools. For weights, try using two water bottles (with equal parts liquid)!
Take a walk. When you’re traveling, you have the opportunity to see new places. Before you start your day, try getting up 20 minutes earlier for a brisk walk or jog outside. The fresh air will help you wake up, and you can use the unfamiliar scenery to your advantage—talk about motivation!
Prepare mentally. Traveling for vacation is one thing, but when you’re traveling for work, you may want to plan in advance, so you don’t overindulge at those company dinners. Think about how you will adapt your exercise and eating routines ahead of time, so you can feel confident in your ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle when you’re on the road.
Use the coffee maker. If you’re staying at a hotel, the room likely has a coffee maker—so get creative and use it! Heat up water for instant oatmeal or tea, and skip the pastries at continental breakfast.
Drink lots of water. The humidity in the cabin of an airplane decreases, taking the moisture out of the air, which explains why you can easily become dehydrated when flying. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water to stay healthy.
Looking to step it up? Learn how Fitbit Group Health can help your company develop a successful wellness program, boost employee health and happiness, and improve the bottom line.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.
Lindsey Hyslop
Lindsey Hyslop was born and raised in Santa Barbara, and grew up in an active community. She played basketball, soccer, and volleyball through high school, and spent her free time at the gym, surfing, or playing beach volleyball with friends. As a result, Lindsey has developed a strong passion for helping others to engage in healthy and active lifestyles, especially in the workplace. In her spare time, you can find Lindsey taking a workout class with friends, exploring the bay area with her sister, or cooking up healthy eats.
I bring my TRX along and hang it on playgrounds, palm trees, whatever! It’s an awesome fitness tool for travels, as it is small (about the size of a cantaloupe packed) and lightweight. Plus, you get some really funny looks from people, which are amusing.
“Prepare mentally” is an awesome and too-often-overlooked tip. Thanks! I also like how the other commenter Kate gets out there with her TRX and enjoys the funny looks instead of resents them. My girlfriend and I are the same with the crazy bear crawl type workouts we do just about anywhere.