Travel and Exercise. Do you even?

We all love a short getaway, but sometimes our fitness routines are the first thing we leave behind at the front door. Am I right?

However, travel or taking shorter local weekend break is actually one of the best times to keep your body primed! Whether it’s a quick “getting out of the car” stretch to undo the tension of a long drive, a bit of balance work while waiting for your morning coffee, or choosing the scenic walking route over parking closer to that picnic spot. These “micro-movements” support our health and wellbeing, even when we’re away from home or our usual routine.

Here are a few easy ways to keep moving while you’re away:

• The Coffee or Tea Wait: While the kettle is boiling or you’re waiting for your barista, practice standing on one leg for 30 seconds. It’s a sneaky way to keep your stabilisers firing.

• The “Travel Tension” Release: Long car or plane rides can tighten our hip flexors. Try a simple standing lunge stretch as soon as you arrive at your destination.

• The Scenic Path: Instead of taking the shortest route, take the long way around, if safe to do so. Extra steps are the easiest form of “exercise” to include.

• The Bedside Routine: Before you hop into bed (or as soon as you wake up), do five slow, controlled squats while holding onto the edge of the bed or a sturdy chair…Glute Bridges are ace too! These movements help to maintain the lower body strength we’re working on all month.

I’d love to hear how you keep moving when you’re off on an adventure. Do you have a favourite “travel stretch,” or do you find creative ways to sneak in some balance work while you’re out and about? Reply to this email and let me know…I’m always looking for fresh inspiration to share with the groups, or to try for myself!

My own ‘travel pack’ is a booty band, a theraband for gentle activation movements, and more recently, throwing a TRX with extension strap, into the van. This is great for rows, chest presses…and so much more including Lunge Step Ups 😎