Ten Fitness Tips for Your Spring Break

“…the thought of being away from the gym for even just a week can spark some anxiety. It can even make your health and fitness goals take a complete detour. “

Theresa Christensen

Ten Fitness Tips for Your Spring Break

Spring is finally upon us, and with that comes “Spring Break.” Typically, this is a time when many people tend to make big vacation plans. Some people welcome the opportunity to take a long rest period. For some gym-goers, however, the thought of being away from the gym for even just a week can spark some anxiety. It can even make your health and fitness goals take a complete detour. I was one of the anxious ones until I started incorporating my fitness plans into my vacation plans. Here are some tips for staying on track with your health and fitness goals while away on vacation.

1. If you plan on staying in a hotel, check out the gym when booking your accommodations.

Any hotel with a fabulous gym will have photos of it on its website. Some hotels even offer training or small classes that you can book in advance. You can call the hotel’s concierge desk to find out what your options are. If they don’t, every FI member has access to our video library and live classes. You can even do them in your hotel room or Airbnb. To access the library of class videos, be sure to set up a user ID and password on our website before you leave. Stop by the desk if you need help.

2. Pack gym clothes.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but some people hate to sacrifice precious suitcase space for leggings and sneakers. Choose pieces that transition from your daytime adventures to an afternoon workout. Comfy leggings, a tank, and sneakers are perfect for exploring the city and then hitting the hotel gym before dinner. Roll them up, and they won’t take up much space. Wear your sneakers on the plane to save even more room for that cute new outfit you brought along.

3. Use PT+ and FI Coach.

If you’re already enrolled in PT+ training at Fitness Incentive, let your trainer know you’ll be away. Your trainer can help you plan your workouts while you’re away and even offer customized virtual workouts through videos on the FI app. If you’re not currently enrolled in a training program, you can utilize FI Coach – a completely virtual training experience that can be done anywhere. You can choose one of our existing programs or design your own program with a trainer. Let’s say you are going away for a week to a resort with a gym, but you have no idea where to start when it comes to hitting the weights. Rather than succumbing to the treadmill or stationary bike, tell your trainer how often you would like to work out while you are away. They’ll put together customized workouts for you to follow and do on your own at the hotel gym. You can choose the number of workouts that fit your schedule and budget.

4. Get out and walk.

Pretty much no matter where you are traveling, you can get out and hit the pavement or the sand. Taking a brisk walk for at least 30 minutes per day has many health benefits, such as improving cardiovascular endurance, improving mood, increasing energy levels, and strengthening your immune system.

5. Skip the chain restaurants and seek out local “farm-to-table” restaurants.

It’s hard to avoid eating out when you are on vacation. It’s important to make wise decisions when it comes to dining. Look for family-owned restaurants that get their ingredients fresh from local farms and creameries. You’ll find that the food is more nutrient-dense, and you’re much more likely to be able to swap out ingredients that may not fit your nutritional needs when you eat out at a restaurant where the food is prepared fresh. The meals are usually tastier and presented beautifully too!

6. Before you leave, search for boutique gyms in the area you’ll be staying that offer classes that you enjoy.

One of my favorite things to do when I travel is to find a cycling gym in the area where I can book a class or two while I am visiting. These types of gyms often offer the first class for free. You can look for bootcamp style classes, Pilates, yoga, etc.

7. Search for activities in the area that will keep you fit.

Some fun activities you might look for include bike tours, swimming, skiing, volleyball, badminton, tennis, racquetball, rock climbing, etc. Call your hotel or resort in advance and find out what the area has to offer.

8. Turn off your cell phone and laptop, and rest!

This may be the hardest thing to do for some people. However, if you find it difficult to stick to your fitness and nutritional goals while away, the easiest thing you can do to improve your health is to catch some z’s. The extra sleep will allow your muscles to rest and repair, and it’s also good for your mental health.

9. Hydrate!

Between the flight, the sun, and the adult beverages, your hydration can often be lacking on vacation. Be sure to drink water as much as possible during your trip. You may want to consider packing a portable electrolyte drink such as NUUN tablets or Liquid IV brand stick packs. If you plan on drinking and really want to be prepared, I highly suggest picking up the “hangover patch” at Incentives Organic Spa. They are filled with vitamins that are proven to help you avoid the after-effects of drinking alcohol.

10. Pack healthy snacks.

Rather than picking up something at the airport or hotel, grab a few of your favorite snacks before your trip and throw them in your carry-on. I know it’s easy to fall into that “YOLO” mentality when you’re on vacation. While it’s important to treat yourself every now and then, you can minimize the damage by eating clean in between those indulgent meals.

I hope these tips will help you stay on track while you are away in these warmer months. Most importantly, enjoy your trip! Fitness Incentive, and all of us will be here with open arms when you get back.