What exercise equipment can I pack on my holiday?

8 August 2018

It can be tempting to slack off on your fitness routine when you jet off on holiday, but there’s no need to let all that hard work go to waste. All you need to know is how you can pack the gym (or at least some of it) into your suitcase.

Here are a few pieces of equipment that will help keep you motivated to work out.

A yoga mat

Morning yoga on the beach, anyone? It isn’t only great for your physical health, but your mental wellbeing too. Try this morning routine to help you start the day the right way:

• Stand with your feet firmly on the ground and begin to circle your head three times one way and then three times the other way.

• Inhale, reaching your arms above your head. Exhale, fold over your legs. Inhale all the way up, exhale and bring your hands to prayer. Repeat this twice.

• In a standing position, swing your arms from side to side for 30 seconds.

• Come down to your hands and knees into downward dog position. Tread this position out from one foot to the other. Bend both knees and straighten three times.

• Slightly bending your knees, walk your hands to your feet and hang over your legs while holding your elbows. Rock slowly from side to side.

• Release your elbows and interlace your hands behind your back, reaching your arms toward your head. Take three deep breaths before releasing your arms and rolling up slowly.

• As you reach your arms up, inhale slowly and then exhale to prayer position.

Running shoes

There’s no simpler piece of exercise equipment to pack than a pair of running shoes. A jog will be a great way to explore your new surroundings while giving you a chance to get your cardio workouts in while you’re away. A 20-minute run is perfect, and you should aim for about two to three per week.

Skipping rope

It will barely take any room in your suitcase, and it’s one of the best forms of cardio you can do. Win-win. This super short skipping workout will help you feel good, even if you’ve overindulged on the all-inclusive food and drink.

40 seconds skip – 20 seconds rest – 40 seconds push-ups – 20 seconds rest – 40 seconds skip – 20 seconds rest – 40 seconds squat – 20 seconds rest – 40 seconds skip – 20 seconds rest. Repeat.

Resistance bands

Like the skipping rope, resistance bands are cheap and super easy to pack into your case and is excellent for bodyweight training. A resistance band can help to make squats and lunges more intense, and you can use them to improve your upper body strength with bicep and tricep curls.

Of course, if you want the benefit of a holiday combined with regular workouts, fitness holidays are definitely the way to go. At Prestige Bootcamp, we offer a range of fitness holidays to suit your goals, and with trained professionals by your side you know you’ll stay on top of your fitness game.