Summer holidays are in… but does that mean your fitness is out? Jumping on a plane is pretty darn exciting, but as you fly away from your home and routines, it could also mean bidding a farewell to your fitness routines.
We all deserve a break and if you’ve been slaying your fitness over the hot summer, then we applaud you! But if you want to keep on track between the Pina Coladas and Paella, then we’ve got some useful things you should pack to keep your fitness at its peak!
Take a look at 10 pieces of fitness equipment every traveller needs - guaranteed to fit in your luggage without weighing you down!
10 Pieces of fitness equipment every traveller needs
1. Travel Yoga Mat
Light, foldable and non-slip - get hold of a travel yoga mat and salute the sun in the tropics! Opt for rubber backings so the mat can grip to the ground. Lay out your mat wherever you please and enjoy yoga on the go!
Get in the bag:
Journey Travel Yoga Mat - Sweaty Betty
eKO SuperLite Travel Yoga Mat - Manduka
2. Resistance Bands
Only travelling with hand luggage? Resistance bands are an ace option to take on holiday with you when you have little space - take a set of various lengths and strengths, and get a full body workout while on holiday. From squats to back exercises, resistance bands really are a versatile piece of fitness equipment that is perfect for any traveller.
Get in the bag:
Loop Resistance Bands - Insonder
Medium Resistance Tube - Adidas
3. Pilates Ring
This slim ring, also known as the ‘magic circle’, is a flexible small circle of metal or rubber. It provides resistance in exercises which can help with body alignment and core strength. Try out Pilates exercises in your hotel room with the ring to create lean, toned muscles.
Get in the bag:
Elite Resistance PIlates Double Handle Ring - PhysioRoom
Pilates Yoga Ring - ZenPower
4. Skipping Rope
Ah the classic playground toy of our youth! Such a simple piece of equipment that can slot into your luggage super easy, and give you a top cardio workout when you don’t have a huge amount of space, or time!
You can blast out a decent workout in just 10-minutes. Just make sure you avoid catching any low hanging ceiling lights with your rope… as that’ll be awkward to explain to your AirBNB host…
Get in the bag:
Premium Weighted Leather Skipping Rope - Valour Strike
Lightning Speed Skipping Rope - Apollo
5. Core Sliders
Slip these into your bag, no matter how small your packing space is! Core Sliders are flat discs designed to let your hands or feet smoothly skim the surface of floors. Try out bodyweight exercises with these nifty discs to improve your strength and light your core on FIRE. Core Sliders work best on carpet or smooth wood.
Get in the bag:
Dual Core Sliders - CampTeck
6. Workout Cards
Fancy getting in an equipment free workout… but the WiFi is playing up? If you have no data or internet access and need some workout inspo, travel with a handy pack of workout cards! Give them a shuffle every day to get a new routine and pick out 10 - 15 cards.
Get in the bag:
Exercise Playing Cards - FitDeck
Yoga Cards - WorkoutLabs
7. Running Shoes
When packing, why not add in your running shoes? A dawn run before the temperature gets sky high is a great way to slot in exercise without losing half your bodyweight in sweat. A blast of cardio can do wonders for the mind and body… and an early morning jog is a great way to see your destination when it’s beautifully quiet.
Get in the bag:
Gel Sonoma 3 Mens Trail Running Shoes - Asics
Women’s Nike Air Zoom Structure 21 - Nike
8. Portable KettleBell
If you’re addicted to kettlebell workouts, you can now celebrate in the knowledge that you don’t have to sacrifice your sessions! These awesome portable kettlebells are perfect for travelling - fill with either sand or water (please check instructions) and get your efficient workout DONE.
Get in the bag:
Portable Kettlebell (sand) - GYMBOX
Heavy Duty Dry Bag Dumbbell (water or sand) - Amazon.co.uk
9. Travel Hula Hoop
Love a good shoop shoop? These awesome hula hoops can fold up and pack down into small circles so you can hula wherever you are in the world! Parks, beaches, fields, hotel rooms - whip out your hoop and shimmy your core to strength. Find out more about how hula hooping can whip you into shape.
Get in the bag:
Infinity Collapsible Travel Hula Hoop - Canyon Hoops
Travel Hula Hoops - Oddballs
10. Creative fitness equipment for travelling
So if you don’t want to spend any pennies on fitness equipment, you can totally dodge around buying snazzy tools by getting a touch creative in keeping your body in shape while on holiday:
- Buy big bottles of water of various litres and use in bicep and tricep curls. Why not even get a mammoth 10 - 15 litre bottle and hold close to your chest during your squats?
- Got a super heavy backpack? Strap it on and pop a squat or 10.
- Don’t want to splash out on core sliders? Hack it and just use paper plates!
- Keep an eye out for any playgrounds with monkey bars and slip in a calisthenics workout.
- Blast out some laps in the pool or the sea.
- Sprint to happy hour….
Where there’s a will, there’s a way! If you want to maintain your fitness while on your summer holiday, it’s possible! And you don’t need to lug a mini home gym with you… Get creative in your workouts and keep on track this summer.
