5 Tips for a Healthy Vacation

A vacation doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your health and fitness goals. Here are five ways to get active on your next trip

1. Plan ahead

Find out if your hotel has a gym or pool. If not, research the area around your hotel and search for fitness centres nearby.

2. In-room exercise

There are plenty of exercises you can do in your hotel room with no equipment. Brandon Santo, a certified personal trainer and strength and conditioning specialist from Vancouver, recommends squats, split-squats, lunges, vertical jumps, hip bridges, planks, dead-bugs and push-ups.

3. Pack smart

Bring your running shoes and gym gear. At your destination, stock up on water and healthy snacks like nuts and seeds, raw vegetables and fruit.

4. Explore

One of the best ways to get to know a new city is on foot or bicycle. Visit nearby parks and trails, or rent a bicycle and tour the city. Opt for a guided tour if you don’t want to explore alone.

5. Relax

Relax but keep moving. Balance time in the spa or by the pool with activities that spike your heart rate. “You wouldn’t want the number of hours sitting on your vacation to be equivalent to the number of hours sitting at your desk job,” says Santo.

Originally published in Wellness Matters