Keeping a consistent exercise routine is important! Exercising sporadically can lead to increased risk of injury, and it might set you back on your fitness journey. Whatever your goals are, there are numerous physical and mental benefits to moving your body consistently, and travel shouldn’t get in the way of that!
I love to start my day by working out, whether I’m at home or travelling. Making that commitment to myself allows me to be the best version of myself. Plus, it gives me the energy to tackle my day. Just a 10 minute session of moving your body can lift your mood and change your whole day!
Summer vacations and holidays easily disrupt your normal routine, including your Pilates routine. But - they don’t have to. Practicing Pilates while traveling can help retain the strength and tone you have worked so hard to build! Luckily, there are plenty of Pilates moves that you can do with minimal equipment. Here are my best tips for practicing Pilates while you travel:
How to Practice Pilates While You Travel
Stick to the basics.
When trying to maintain a consistent exercise routine on the go, don’t overcomplicate things! Just a few simple exercises will elevate your heart rate and get your muscles working so you don’t lose all of your progress. Pilates exercises like the hundred, roll-up, stomach series, and more are all simple enough to do in your hotel room, while still providing plenty of benefits.
If you’re looking for more ideas, try these 5 basic Pilates exercises. None of which require any equipment!
Remove distractions and make a plan.
Set yourself up for success by making a plan to practice Pilates before you even leave your house. Research the destination in advance to see if the hotel has a fitness center, or if there’s enough room in your hotel room to do a quick Pilates workout.
Once you’re traveling, plan when you’re going to do your exercises and stick to it! When the designated time comes, remove distractions of any kind. Maybe that means taking an extra 30 minutes before heading down to the pool with the family or retreating to a quiet area in your Airbnb. Turn your phone volume and notifications off, and get in the flow!
Pack small equipment.
While you can do most Pilates exercises without any equipment at all, you may be more motivated to workout if you have one or two small pieces of Pilates equipment with you. If you have the room in your suitcase, throw in a magic circle or some 1 lb Bala weights for your mat work.
Bring a Pilates mat.
If you’re not sure what the floor will be like wherever you’re staying, bring a thin Pilates mat with you to do your exercises on! If you’re traveling by car, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a spot for your rolled up mat during the road trip, and it tucks away nicely in the corner of any room.
Get creative with equipment available in your hotel room.
Props are amazing when you travel. You can use whatever is accessible and available to you at the time, including things in your hotel room! There are plenty of exercises you can do using things available in nearly all hotel rooms. Here are just a few ideas you can use to stretch and strengthen your body.
Chair
A chair can substitute for a workout bench and help with many different movements, including planks, tricep dips, push-ups, and lunges. Make sure you use a chair without wheels so your prop is stable and safe.
Hand towel
A hand towel is a great tool to support your neck and find your upper abdominals. Plus, it gives you an amazing arm workout. You can pack a workout towel specifically, or use whatever’s on hand! All of the mat work from our blog on the best abdominal exercises for summer can be done with a hand towel.
Wall
Use a wall to improve your posture, strengthen your arms and back, and find your powerhouse. One exercise to try is arm circles against a wall. Standing up against the wall, bring your feet forward several inches (away from the wall), with your knees softly bent. Remember to keep your pelvis level and not tucked or arched. Circle your arms while focusing on pressing your back into the wall. Pull your stomach in and up to engage your powerhouse. Repeat this 10 times each direction.
Take an on-demand Pilates class.
There are lots of Pilates apps and online Pilates classes available for you to practice Pilates wherever you are. Traveling is the perfect time to give one a try. At Empowerhouse Pilates, we offer both on-demand and live Pilates classes. Sign up before your trip and try them out with a 14-day free trial!
Find a Pilates studio.
Do you love the community motivation of an in-person Pilates class? I don’t blame you! Wherever you’re traveling, see if you can find a Pilates studio in town and sign up. Many studios will offer one-time class passes, so you can take a few while you’re in the area.
Don’t let travel hold you back from achieving all your greatest fitness goals!
No matter the reason for your travel - work, vacation, visiting relatives - there are plenty of ways you can ensure that your health and fitness remain a priority. Plus, there’s nothing better than a quick Pilates workout to boost those energy levels, strengthen the mind/body connection, and relieve any pent up stress and anxiety, especially when travelling.
For more Pilates tips, tricks, and workout routines, head on over to our blog. And for all the latest updates, follow us on Instagram. Until next time, let us know if you have any questions or comments below!