Top ways to keep fit when travelling

Exercising is usually out of the question for those who have to be on the road all the time.

For health-conscious travellers, it’s never been easier to squeeze in a workout, either with a quick weight-lifting session at an airport gym, running with a hotel “running concierge”, or virtual workouts in your hotel room. Here are a few apps and ideas for keeping fit on the road.

Airport fitness takes flight

While many airports sport luxury gyms, other more lavish amenities travellers can find are the Balinese-themed rooftop swimming pool in Changi Airport in Singapore and the golf course at Hong Kong International Airport.

At San Francisco International Airport, travellers strike a pose in the airport’s free yoga room, with pop-up classes, a mirrored wall, and free mats to use. To find out about in-airport gym and fitness facilities, check out Airport.Gyms.com. Currently the database contains only US and Canadian airports, but international airports are coming soon, the website says.

Yoga in a new city

For fans of yoga looking to unroll their mats in a new place, a website directory called YogaTrail can help you find a local studio or class, no matter where you are. The international directory includes studios and teachers around the globe, as well as retreats and events. Or try yoga apparel company Lululemon’s free app, Om Finder, that lets users find classes by location and map the studio’s location.

Fitness-focused hotels

Hotels are also serving up innovative health and fitness perks to keep guests in top form. InterContinental has launched a new hotel brand called EVEN, first mainstream hotel brand to focus exclusively on wellness. Exercise options include in-room touches such as a coat-rack that doubles as a pull-up bar, gyms, and personalised fitness advice for all guests.

Other hotels offering fitness packages include Sheraton Hotels & Resorts and Westin Hotels and Resorts, which has a running concierge to take you out for a spin.

Sightrunning

If you’re travelling for business or pleasure, perhaps you’ll have time for a running tour, available in nearly 50 cities around the globe, including New York, Boston, Paris, Copenhagen, Barcelona, and Cape Town, with that number rapidly growing.

Most are launched by local entrepreneurs who love running and can guide small groups around their home turf, all while enjoying fresh air and exercise.

Virtual workouts

Use the hotel WiFi for an in-room workout. US fitness chain Crunch has introduced Crunch Live, a digital platform that promises to bring its range of eclectic classes to the masses around the globe, and you don’t need a membership to the gym to tap into the service.

A few other online options include Daily Burn, which offers a seemingly infinite variety, with programmes ranging from 15 to 60 minutes.

Or try Wello for online group or private workouts via a live webcam with a certified instructor. Other options: YogaGlo, DailyHiit and Flirty Girl Fitness.

Source: The Star
Published: 04 Nov 2013

Tags: featured

Category: Features, Wellness and Complementary Therapies