Keeping fit when travelling is a challenge; long meetings and executive dining can mean you pile on the pounds when you’re away.
Add to this ‘Boeing bloat’ – water retention due to changes in cabin pressure and being immobile when flying – and you can arrive home looking a lot less svelte than when you waved goodbye to your loved ones.
It needn’t be like this; there are a lot of options for keeping trim on the road and avoiding barbed comments from your friends and family. Here are a few favourites recommended by our fitness guru Alex Jordan.
UK
Hussle
Hussle is a network of gyms, pools, spas, and health and fitness apps. Simply enter the postcode of where you’re staying on the website or app and discover local gyms where you can buy day passes or access multiple gyms with their monthly pass.
Alex says: “Hussle is very easy to use, with price and location all visible upfront without having to input any details, which is a nice touch. The downside is the selection is a little limited; it’s mainly the larger chains, so you might miss out on seeing an independent gym.”
Europe and beyond
TrainAway
TrainAway was created to make it easier for business travellers to access gyms when they travel. They help you buy day passes wherever you are in the world.
Alex says: “TrainAway has some amazing facilities that you may not have found otherwise. It’s a little limited, though, in terms of locations and number of gyms at each one. It’s one for the future as the app gets bigger.”
Worldwide
Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitness offers facilities that are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. With more than 4,000 locations in 50 countries around the world, membership could be a smart choice for frequent travellers. You can give Anytime Fitness a try during your next trip with a free seven-day pass.
Alex says: “Anytime Fitness is a super simple, accessible worldwide chain of gyms. You’ll never be too far away from one. Despite being at the lower end when it comes to quality of kit, if it’s a one-off session you’ll be able to do most things.”
Apps
Freeletics
Freeletics is an online training programme tailor-made according to what you wish to achieve. A coach will analyse your fitness and goals via an app and set workouts from as little as 15 minutes, adapted to your location.
Alex says: “Freeletics is cheap, accessible and on-demand. If you’re without a gym, then it’s a good option to help with workout inspiration.”
J&J Official 7 Minute Workout
This app comes from Johnson & Johnson and is designed by its director of exercise physiology Chris Jordan. It is designed to be used with equipment found in every hotel room – simply a wall and a chair.
Alex says: “This is another tool that is quick, accessible, and easy to navigate. If you’re short on time and with no real gym available, then this is a good option.”
Also….
For runners:
Go Running Tours*
Go Running Tours operates in more than 50 worldwide destinations and has specific packages for corporates with monthly subscriptions as well as private tours, with distances to suit all abilities.
For wellbeing:
The Unconventional Route
This holistic and fun website offers some novel ways to keep fit and well, with an inspired page on how to do so when travelling.
*This is an affiliate link which means if you click on the link and make a purchase, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
