Simple Travel Workouts For Every Trip

I love traveling. I am always thrilled to hop in the car and drive, ready to munch on trail mix and gaze out my window for hours. Flying is an adventure too. Whatever the trip is, I’m game. However, I always end up super achy and tense after traveling. I try to stretch in the car, or on the plane, but there’s only so much you can do when you’re sitting for hours on end. Besides stretching, what really helps me to lose those aches and all of that tension, is to work out. I’m not talking about working out on layovers or at pit stops, I’m talking about working out right there in your vehicle of transportation.

This list of discreet, easy travel workouts will help you enjoy the ride, without disturbing fellow passengers. Plus, if you’re going to feel sore after a long day of traveling, you may as well feel sore from some actual exercise.

1. Leg Flexes

This little exercise is quite simple and unlikely to disturb other passengers. It will look like you’re just stretching your legs a little bit, but really, you’re flexing your legs and working on your leg muscles. Point your toes and flex your calves. Hold the flex for as long as you can. Then, point your toes back towards you as much as you can, creating a 90 degree angle between your foot and your ankle. Flex in this position, again, holding it as long as you can. Sure, this exercise isn’t as rewarding or toning as squats, but it’s an exercise nonetheless.

2. Luggage Lifts

You’ll get a kick out of this road exercise. Balance your carry-on or your backpack on your feet. Flex your legs and do some leg lifts, using your bag as the weights.

It’s no leg machine but it will keep your busy, and with enough reps, you’ll feel the burn.

3. Exercise Band Arm Curls

This travel workout requires someloop bands. Hold the exercise band with both hands. Put your right arm at a 90 degree angle with your waist, palm down. Hold the end of the band with your left arm, palm up. With your right arm held at waist level, do some arm curls with your left arm, using your right arm to create tension with the band. Switch arms and repeat.

Fellow passengers will definitely notice this travel exercise, but it’s quiet and doesn’t require more than a seat’s worth of space.

4. Arm Rotations

Hold you arms straight out in front of you. Make small, apple-size circles with your arms. If done correctly, you should feel the tension after a few minutes. You can even try holding your phone while doing this exercise.

5. Ab Flexes

Pull your stomach in and out, flexing your stomach and breathing out small puffs of air.

This is an easy workout to do while sitting down in any location.

6. Loop Band Leg Pulses

Grab an exerciseloop band and loop it over both of your legs. Put it around your calves or your thighs and do 20 reps of pulses, pulling your legs away from each other and back in again. This travel workout is so simple and can tone your legs quite well. It’s a good exercise for stops too. Just stand up and do the same thing.

7. Upper Body Pushups

I wouldn’t recommend this particular exercise on the plane, but it works great in the car. Put your hands straight in front of you on the dashboard or on the seat in front of you. Do some upper body pushups in this position, pulling your head and chest close to your wrists and back again.

8. Whole Body Clenches

Make sure your feet are flat on the floor. Use your abs and your legs to lift your body up an inch or two off of your seat. Clench your abs and hold the raised position for a few seconds. Lower back down without touching the seat and then lift up again.

Who ever thought discreet travel workouts would be a thing? Maybe if enough people do the low-key workouts, it will become normal, and less of a requirement to work out on the down-low. I mean, why does it have to be a bad thing to want to exercise, even on travel days? Being healthy is all about making it a habit, and never giving up on your commitments. That’s why we need workouts, even for travel.

Let us know your favorite pros and cons of working out on the road, or if you have any other travel workout ideas. Let’s show the world how great it is to live infinitely!

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About the Author

Lauren Kutschke is a freelance content writer and social media manager. She loves to hike, ski and spend time with her husband and dog. Lauren has a passion for photography and is currently learning German.

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