A Workout Program for Travelers

Getting enough exercise can be a problem for a traveler.  Although I ride bikes a lot and will be doing a lot of outdoor activities, a good daily routine is necessary to be strong and healthy.  So how do you design a program you can take with you on the road?  Some gyms offer programs which allow you to visit other gyms in the areas you are traveling in, but this isn’t a viable option in third-world countries or small towns.  Besides, avoiding gym memberships altogether saves you money and is easy on the environment.  Think of all the power it must take to power the modern day gym, with all its exercise machinery, lighting, and heating.  Modern man doesn’t need these facilities to stay active and in shape.

Consider instead a workout program that brings it back to the basics, with push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, calisthenics, lunges, stretching, and running or biking.  All of these can be done will little or no equipment and can keep your body in optimal shape.  They can be done at your house or in a motel room in Paris.  You might need to change or adapt it a little depending on the location, but it is easy to tailor such a program to your needs.  And when you get out into the fresh morning air, whether biking or jogging, no matter where you are in the world, you will be glad you are not stuck inside running on a treadmill like a hamster in a cage. 

Start out light.  Do three sets of ten push-ups, three sets of ten sit-ups, and three sets of ten to twenty jumping jacks.  If you can, buy a small set of dumbbells for the house.  You may not be able to take them with you everywhere you go, but they take up a minimal amount of space at home and will allow you to work out virtually every muscle group in your body.   Every week, up your reps and try to do a little bit more.  Work up to where you are doing sets of fifty and I can guarantee you will notice changes in your body.  Then keep focusing on improving your numbers.  There is no training program out there with anything more than this simple program can offer.  When it comes down to it, getting in shape takes self-motivation.  The most state-of-the-art gymn in the world will not get you into shape if you can’t get up every morning and force yourself to do it.

The Purest Form of Transportation

Bicycling is one of the best ways 

to incorporate exercise into your daily life,

especially if you can ride a bike to work.  

Bicycling brings you out into the real world,

away from enclosed capsule of your car. 

 

It is easy on the environment, enjoyable, and stress-relieving if you live in an urban area where traffic can be problem.

Yesterday I had the day off and I wanted to get some exercise.  I was going to go surfing so I could work on an item on my list and get some exercise at the same time, but my girlfriend got off work early so I suggested we ride our bikes down to the beach.  It took a little while to get her going, but it was worth it once we hit the road.  Ever since I moved to Santa Cruz, I’ve been trying to use the bike more for transportation.  It just makes more sense with the local traffic, and it feels good to get a workout and minimize impact on the environment.

Yesterday was the longest ride yet.  It felt great.  I got my lungs working and my muscles burning.  I like the interval style of training involved with biking down the road.  A lot of the time you are going smooth and steady, not working too hard, but when you hit the hills you really have to work.  Each hill becomes a challenge to yourself–you just focus on making it to the top without having to rest and then you get to ride easy again.  Interval-training is great for your body and your lungs.  I am going to start riding as much as I can now. 

We stashed our bikes in the bushes and hiked about a mile and a half down the beach, wading through the waves.  The water was cold, but I got used to it and even did a little body surfing.  As I sat on the beach, I thought about how important it is to stay close to Nature, how good it is for the body, mind, and spirit.  Often times we allow technology to form a wall between us and the natural world.  Instead, we need to use technology to bring us closer to our environment, to experience it firsthand and remind us how detrimental it is for us to hold it sacred.  The whole trip left us feeling refreshed and energized.

On my next day off, I’m riding down to the restaurant I work at across town to see how long it takes.  If it’s practical, I plan to start riding to work.  I am waiting tables right now, so I’ll have to wear a backpack with some deodorant and my work shirt or I’ll smell like I just got out of the gymn when I introduce myself to customers.  

Do you live close enough to work to make this a viable option for you?  If so, I strongly encourage you to do it.  It will allow you to save money on gas, save the environment, and get in shape all at the same time.  Who could ask for a better transportation option?