Exercise Ideas for Road Trips

It's important for me to stay fit, but I also value my freedom--which is why I like to go on multiple road trips yearly. Unfortunately, I don't own any gym equipment, nor do I have room to haul around a treadmill or dumbbells during a weekend road trip. So how do I exercise while on the road? Here's how I stay in shape no matter where I travel.

Add Bodyweight Exercises
I'm big on strength training, and bodyweight exercises provide the easiest way for me to get my strength training fix. Exercises such as squats, push-ups and jumping lunges are excellent for training the lower and upper body without needing equipment. In fact, all you need is yourself and a small amount of space -- perfect for exercise on-the-go. To organize your exercises into a concentrated workout, consider following bodyweight exercise routines designed by Stew Smith or BodyRock.tv.

Bring Your Running Shoes
I'm not a big fan of cardio, but I do make an effort to run at least once a week. You can literally run anywhere, so not being able to run shouldn't be an excuse while on a road trip. Consider jogging while stopping at a rest stop or jogging around the hotel at the end of your drive. For an added twist, I like to do interval sprints to raise my metabolism.

Make Your Extracurricular Activities More Active
I know it's tempting to veg out or watch a movie after a long road trip -- but fight the urge. Instead of watching a movie, I like to go on hikes, chop wood or play catch outside to stay active. If you're going on a road trip during the winter, consider going sledding or ice skating. 3FatChicks.com also recommends skiing or snowshoeing to get your heart pumping. Good rule of thumb: Try to fit it one active exercise every day and use the rest of the time to have fun!

Bring Your Gym Card
Some national, chain-wide gyms allow you to access any of their gyms, provided you bring your gym card. My gym, Snap Fitness, allows me to access any gym in the United States, which I definitely take advantage of. If your gym currently doesn't offer this, consider switching gyms to reap these benefits while on the road. As an alternative, you can also ask for guest passes from a gym in the town you're visiting, but don't depend on it.

Of course these aren't the only ways to fit in exercise during road trips, so how do you exercise while on the road?

Reference:
3FatChicks.com