To most people, working out during a vacation can be strange. For the fitness buffs, it’s one of the challenges they need to figure out before going abroad. Traveling can be fun, but it can be stressful too, and that is why you need to be prepared.
Lying around all day in the beach or hiking in the woods can’t replace good ol’ regular exercise or whatever routine it is that works for you. When you’re on a vacation but need to do your workouts, it can be hard to find hotels with facilities and items you need.
Instead of going out of your way to pack your entire gym gear and accessories, take alternatives with you instead. Here are some packable items that are easier to bring with you for fun travel workouts.
A Reliable Backpack
If you plan to be away for a few weeks, be sure to pack a reliable backpack for your fitness things. You’ll need a bag to contain your gym clothes and a water bottle if you intend to hike or work out somewhere. Make sure it’s lightweight and has a lot of compartments to spare for wet and dry clothes, accessories, and more. The great thing about having a reliable backpack is that it can house additional stuff or souvenirs from your travels.
Travel Deodorant
Wearing deodorant or not in the gym is another topic on its own, but if you’re traveling, deodorant is a must. Whether you’re on foot, exploring the sights and sounds of a new place, or working out, it is considered a social courtesy to others when you wear deodorant. While it doesn’t prevent inevitable sweating, it can help mask the undesirable smell of sweat and body odor.
Water Bottle
Running to and fro to the water fountain can be a hassle especially if you need to hydrate in the middle of a workout. A water bottle is a handy item you should bring while vacationing overseas. It can help you save money that could’ve been spent on water bottles, and you can be environmentally friendly at the same time by reducing plastic waste.
Dryer Sheets
Vacation means a lot of walking, and that means that you will be in your shoes for longer periods. Sightseeing or being in transit means that your feet will get all sweaty and tired. Even if you don’t have sweaty feet, your shoes are bound to smell sooner or later.
There will be times when laundry may not be accessible or having your shoes cleaned may not be practical. Instead of drying out your shoes the usual way, add dryer sheets so these can absorb some of the odors when you’re not using your shoes. You can also use the dryer sheets in your hotel room by putting some on the AC unit to freshen up the entire room.
Athletic Undies
Packing light is ideal for long vacations especially if you plan to stop in many areas or countries. It helps save you money because of lighter baggage and you don’t have to lug heavy bags around, which can be detrimental to your travel experience.
It’s great to pack athletic undies because they’re comfortable and there’s no need to change when you need to work out for the day. Plus, there are brands out there that are fast-drying, so drying time after doing the laundry is shorter.
Elastic Sports Tape
Even if you’re in good physical shape, you should always pack an elastic sports tape with you. Special elastic sports tapes like the KT brand are designed to help assist the body move or help reduce pressure to prevent pain or discomfort. Accidents or unforeseen circumstances that can lead to injury can happen at any time, so it’s always good to be prepared.
If you have minor injuries with your shoulder blade, ankles, or knees, you can use the sports tape to stabilize it during a workout. There’s nothing worse than not being able to continue your fitness progress because of pain or discomfort.
Workout Socks
If you plan to work out, you should also pack some socks. You can downsize or put aside some items, but you should never forget socks. They help protect your feet and keep your shoes smelling fresh. You should pack as many as you can or at least as many as your packed workout clothes are.
Wearable Fitness Tracker
If you’re one who likes to track all the things related to fitness, then you shouldn’t leave your wearable tracker at home. Depending on what device you have, it can help track your exercise, sleep, and even steps taken, and you can access all the data collected in real time. Say, if you need to up your walking game, you can check how many steps you took the day before or for the entire week, and see if it is within your goals.
Earphones and a Playlist
If you’ve never traveled with earphones before, this is a sign that you should do it. Not only does it allow you to enjoy your playlist in peace when doing your workouts, but you will also find that it can be a great interlude for when you are in transit. Additionally, you should never forget to play your fitness jams when you’re on vacation.
Plan for Backup
There are just some days when things don’t go according to plan. For example, you forgot to bring an essential travel item or it broke in the middle of traveling. There’s no need to fret when it is happening at the moment because you can always ask for help or assistance from the place you are staying in or a traveling companion. In the future, if you can help, it’s always best to plan ahead before it happens.
What are your packable items for when you want to work out when traveling abroad? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
