- An exercise physiologist says vacation is the perfect time to try new workouts.
- He recommends scheduling workouts during your day so you commit to doing them.
While going on vacation can feel stressful if you have an established exercise routine, it's important to let yourself take a break, according to exercise physiologist Tom Holland.
In fact, Holland said a pause from your regular fitness program can actually be a great opportunity. Not only will a break help you recover and help prevent burnout, but it can also be a time to explore new kinds of fitness that you normally wouldn't.
Here are Holland's five tips for working out while traveling.
Try not to worry too much
Although it can feel difficult, the author and personal trainer said to try not to worry about taking a break from your program and just enjoy your vacation. Rest allows our body to recover from the stress we put on it through exercise, Holland said.
"We don't get strong during the workout session," he said. "We get strong during recovery."
As personal trainer Luke Worthington previously told Insider, your strength and aerobic gains will likely maintain for around four weeks without training.
Holland said taking a break also helps prevent overtraining, which can cause injury and drain your motivation through exhaustion.
He said the trick is to train hard during your sessions, and then really take it easy when you're not in the gym. You'll be that much more excited to go back to your routine when you actually do.
A vacation is an opportunity to try something new
If you do decide to exercise on vacation, Holland said to look at it as an opportunity to mix up the kind of exercise you normally do. Our body is really good at adapting to the stress we put on it, he said, so it's important to change your routine every once in a while in order to keep getting results.
"So that strength person who doesn't do enough cardio, go for walks, do some runs, interval training, jump rope," he said
If you normally do a lot of running, Holland recommended trying out body weight exercises or a different form of cardio through swimming.
Bring some easily packable exercise equipment
While you're probably not going to be able to fit dumbbells into your carry-on, Holland said there are some easy-to-pack exercise equipment that he likes to bring on vacation.
For cardio, Holland likes to pack a jump rope, which you can use in any outdoor space. In addition to being a great cardio workout, jumping rope is also great for heart and bone health, as Insider's Kelly Burch and Marissa Cruz Lemar previously reported.
Resistance bands are another lightweight option and great for getting a strength workout, he said.
Using different equipment from your normal routine will also add variation that you might not get otherwise, according to Holland
Schedule exercise time
Holland said that setting aside a little time during the day can also be a great way to keep up your routine. Early in the morning before everyone gets up or right before dinner he said are his preferred time to get a workout in.
Depending on the vacation, Holland said you will also get a lot of exercise throughout the day just from walking around or swimming.
Use exercise as a way to explore
Exercise can also be a way to explore a new place if you're traveling for vacation, Holland said. Going for a run or a bike ride can be a great way to see a new place, he said, and end up in places you might not normally go while walking.
Researching a local gym is another unique way to experience a new town or city, he said.
Ultimately, Holland said if you want to add exercise to your vacation, go for it, but don't be afraid to take a break as well.
"If you do the work, you need that time off. You need to recharge your batteries emotionally, physiologically, and psychologically," he said.