We all know staying fit on business trips can be a struggle. The stats show only 40% of business travelers keep up their usual health routines. Between hectic schedules in unfamiliar places, fitness often falls by the wayside.
The good news? With some smart planning and tools, getting your workout fix on a work trip is doable. Small adjustments let you stick to regular exercise and diet no matter where business takes you. Don’t let travel completely sabotage your fitness regimen.
Stay consistent on the road and keep your routine in check. We’ve got your tips for that in this article.
Utilize Hotel Gyms for Convenience
- Scope out the gym equipment and amenities before booking your stay whenever possible. Most have basic cardio and strength machines, but some may have extra gear or classes that better meet your needs.
- Even just 15-20 minutes of treadmill running or lifting weights maintains momentum. This prevents the gradual fitness decline over longer business trips from too much sitting and irregular schedules.
- Ask the front desk about the gym hours- some open earlier/close later to accommodate busy travelers getting workouts in before/after obligations. Stop by once checked in to get your bearings.
- Travel days themselves can be suitable times to utilize hotel fitness offerings, whether before flights or upon arrival. Sweating helps adjust to new time zones.
- Build workouts into your business trip itineraries just as you would meetings. Penciling in gym sessions ensures you follow through amid hectic days.
Pack Compact Equipment for In-Room Workouts
- Bands provide challenging strength and resistance training without bulky weights. Loop them around furniture or anchor them under your feet for makeshift pull exercises right in the room.
- Light dumbbells, particularly adjustable ones that can be collapsed down, offer weight training mobility. Toss them in a small gym bag alongside the bands.
- Jump ropes get hearts pumping for efficient cardio, either basic jumps or more advanced crossovers, doubles, etc. They take up little luggage space.
- Knock out sets of crunches, lunges, squats, and planks whenever possible too. Bodyweight moves require zero equipment for quick room sessions.
Maintain Healthy Eating Habits
- Research nearby restaurants or your hotel’s on-site eatery beforehand to pinpoint healthier choices. Seek out nutrient-dense whole foods- salads, grains, protein, and veggies.
- When possible, stick to your regular balanced diet template as much as possible. Travel days are when grab-and-go airport/station eats become tempting- prepare nutritious snacks like protein bars, nuts, fruits, and yogurt.
- Portion control is critical for restaurant meals, as is moderating alcohol intake which lowers inhibition around overindulging. Stay hydrated with unsweetened beverages as well between meals.
- Explore local grocery stores if you have kitchen access. Choosing wholesome ingredients gives you control to replicate go-to meals. Revisit comfort foods your first night before shifting focus.
- Wake up with enough time for hotel breakfasts over fast food. Seek veggie-packed options like spinach omelets and fruit that provide lasting energy during conference marathons.
Try On-Demand Workouts
- Download exercise apps with vast libraries of on-demand training content, from 10-minute HIIT to 30-minute boot camps or yoga sessions.
- Check if your gym or trainer from home offers virtual session options to remotely guide you through workouts during extended stays. Log in anywhere.
- On-demand programs adapt to space limitations facing business travelers stuck in guest rooms. Effective no-equipment programs maximize resistance bands, bodyweight moves, and cardio bursts.
- Streaming solves boredom pains from too much idle time as well. Mix up cardio, strength training, and stretching sessions to hit all fitness bases while traveling.
Incorporate Walking
- Substitute ride shares and taxis with walking routes for short hotel, office, and dining commutes under a mile or two. Racks up daily step counts fast.
- Stretch the legs and counter hours of stillness from flights or conferences by wandering new neighborhoods to grab coffee/meals instead of ordering room service.
- Schedule walking meetings when coordinating with colleagues also on site. Knock out to-dos while getting fresh air and movement simultaneously.
- Invest in supportive walking shoes specifically for work travel versus off-duty sneakers to keep energy up all day on feet hustling between obligations.
- Download audio tours or interactive landmark apps to indulge tourist curiosities on long walkabouts, transforming “getting lost” into sightseeing adventures.
Adjust Your Routine Realistically
- Move daily with a mix of cardio, strength, and flexibility. Don’t get hung up on missing your usual 5-mile trail run but rather substitute with hotel stair climbing intervals.
- Remember bodyweight training adapts anywhere when lacking your full home gym. Mix up push-ups, air squats, and planks which require zero equipment while delivering results.
- View modified maintenance programming abroad as embracing flexibility. This prevents overstressing when conditions are suboptimal. Stick to fundamentals over new fitness quests.
Make Use of Downtime
- Knock out quad burners or ab blasters while enjoying that first coffee rather than scrolling emails. Gets your metabolic jumpstart going.
- Battle midday energy lulls by using lunch breaks for super short walks to stimulate circulation as a refresher before afternoon meetings.
- Need an early evening digestif? Prance up and down stairwells to get steps in post-dinner before getting back to your room.
- Treat downtime as perfect moments for burst training, however brief. Beats mindless snacking or Netflix crashes when fighting boredom.
Stick to Sleep Fundamentals
- Strategically avoid sleeping entire lengthy flights if arriving during daylight hours- nap only 1-2 hours max on over 4-hour journeys to start acclimating new circadian rhythms.
- Request darker, quieter rooms away from elevators/ice machines, and pack earplugs and sleep masks to dull potential disturbances from unfamiliar settings.
- Abstain from large liquid hydration too close to bed to avoid bathroom interruptions. Shift to herbal decaf teas at night. Melatonin supplements can ease falling asleep quicker too.
- Set multiple failsafe wake-up alarms staggered every 15 minutes including as a last resort reliable morning calls you arrange at check-in. This safeguards against sleeping through while exhausted.
- When battling jet lag spikes, opt for mid-afternoon 20-30-minute power naps to temporarily boost energy over strong coffee. Caffeine too late worsens insomnia.
Responsible Relaxation and Responsible Results
The bottom line is maintaining health and fitness on work trips is very doable- it just takes a bit of planning. Intentional movement through bodyweight workouts, hotel gym sessions, walking
meetings, and smart nutrition keeps you feeling energetic and focused. You’ll return home still feeling strong in your routine.
If Chicago’s your next business destination, Hotel Chicago West Loop deserves a lookup. Our fitness center, city bike shares, and proximity to scenic riverwalks check the main boxes. Plus the surrounding West Loop area bursts with healthy grub spots, trails, and top-notch gyms to tap into.
So book your next Chicago stay at Hotel Chicago West Loop for a fitness-friendly experience. Our awesome amenities and location set you up for success in sticking to your routine, no matter how packed your work agenda gets. Check out the site to claim your room and hit the ground running.