Are you going on a road trip soon or do you have a long car journey ahead? And would you like to know how to stay fit on the way to your holiday destination? Then read on quickly. With a few simple tricks you can keep feeling fit during your trip and on vacation.
You've probably made some to-do list with things to do and things to buy. But have you also thought about what you can eat on the go? Nothing is more annoying than being hungry and not being able to find a decent place to eat. Below are a few examples of simple snacks that you can easily take with you.
Healthy Snacks on the Go
· Fruit: A few apples? Pears? Bananas? Mandarins? Take whatever you feel like!
· Dried fruit: Super handy, because it does not spoil quickly and gives you energy quickly.
· Seeds or nuts: I never travel without bringing some nuts. They are tasty, nutritious and filling.
· Candy vegetables: Small tomatoes, carrots, peppers, etc. These snacks are full of vitamins and make you feel full.
· Roasted chickpeas: roast the peas with some salt and herbs in the oven at 200 degrees for 20 minutes.
· Homemade granola or muesli: delicious with yogurt but also great as a snack on the go!
· A boiled egg: does not last very long, so eat your egg within a few hours.
Basic Must-Haves on the Road
In addition to these small snacks, there are a few more must-haves to keep you feeling fit on the go. For example, if you spend a long time in the car, it is nice to move around during the stopover. You can of course take a walk to stretch your legs, but there are more options! Also at the holiday address itself it is useful to have a few basics at hand, as you will not find a gym everywhere.
These are my favorite fitness must-haves on the go. What do you take with you on a trip?
Yoga Mat
Since I'm not a big fan of mud, mud, damp grass or other dirt, a yoga mat is super handy. You can put it anywhere, so you are much less limited in what you want to do. Lie on your back and train your abs? Can! Yoga poses, planks, stretching, everything is possible! In principle, you can do anything on your yoga mat, without immediately feeling all kinds of blades of grass or having rubbish on your hands.
Resistance Bands
If I could bring just one thing on vacation to keep fit, it would be a resistance band. The benefits of such a tire are endless. You build strength, maintain your muscle mass. Moreover, such a tire is cheap and easy to store. I like resistance bands because they make my workout incredibly versatile. There are hundreds - yes, really - exercises you can do. So you don't get bored easily.
Versatile Sports Shoes
It seems obvious, but the shoes you wear during your physical activity make or break your experience. Poor quality shoes cause injuries, injuries or accidents. This is the last thing you want on a holiday. So yes, a good pair of good shoes is important.
I understand that due to the vast range of sports shoes you may not know which shoes are exactly suitable for on the road. Since you cannot take ten pairs of shoes with you, you have to choose one type of shoe. Trail running shoes - as in the picture - are super versatile and can be used as a walking, running and fitness shoe, but also handy for general use. It's sort of a 4-in-1 shoe. Ideal for on the go.
Foam Roller
Since workouts have a significant impact on your muscles, recovery and rest is very important. This is where the foam roller comes in handy. You would do well to schedule (self) massages during the recovery period. Foam rolling improves blood flow, helps muscles relax and thus aids overall muscle recovery.
Foam rollers are very handy, especially for on the go. You sit a lot (in the same position) during a long ride and this is not optimal for the blood circulation in your limbs. Foam rolls stimulate your blood circulation and counteract any negative effects caused by sitting for a long time.
Workout on the Road
In addition to these on-the- go tools, there are also a few on-the-road workouts you can do. For example, you can grab your yoga mat during a stopover, do a few bodyweight exercises while refuelling or, when you have reached your destination, use various furniture in your hotel room. Below are three short workouts.
Gas Station HIIT Workout
Exercise for 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds. Do this round 4 times:
· Jumping jacks
· Walking lunges
· Push ups
· Squats
· Planks
· Burpees
Stopover Yoga Workout
Hold each movement for 5 to 6 breaths:
· Downward dog
· Child posture
· Lunge
· Bridge
· Pigeon
· Side plank
Hotel Room Workout
Do 4 sets of 8 reps of each exercise:
· Incline push ups (feet on the floor, hands on the edge of the bed)
· Jumping squats
· Sit ups
· Decline push up (feet on the bed, hands on the floor)
· Dips (from a chair or from the bed)
· Reverse crunches