Although the purpose of a vacation is to take a break from the stressors of real life, it is still very important to maintain a weekly exercise routine. According to About.com Health and Fitness, if you choose to skip your usual workout while on vacation, your aerobic power may decline about five percent after one week, 15 percent after two weeks, and up to 25 percent after three weeks of inactivity. The longer you skip your workout, the harder it will be to get back into your routine – and all of your gains could potentially be gone after about two months of inactivity. Moreover, the more fit you are, the faster you lose your fitness.

You may wonder how you could possibly get in a normal workout without the equipment you normally use, not to mention scheduling exercise on a day that’s already full with activities. You don’t have to sacrifice fun on your vacation to take time to exercise – simply learn to incorporate your vacation activities into an exercise routine!

At the Airport/On the Plane:

If you find yourself stuck in an airport with a long layover, it gives you a chance to get in some exercise. Simply walk around the airport, making sure you keep your arms moving and your posture straight. For longer layovers, some of the larger airports have gyms that offer a daily pass at an affordable price.

While on the plane, get up and walk the length of the plane every 30 minutes. According to Road and Travel Magazine, sitting for long periods of time can hinder your digestion, circulation and flexibility, and can cause your feet to swell. While you’re up, be sure to stretch out your back and neck.

In Your Hotel:

More and more hotels these days offer a pool or some type of fitness facility. The easiest way to get in exercise is to head down to the exercise room or pool before you begin your day of planned activities.

• Most hotels have treadmills, bikes or Stairmasters, all of which offer great cardiovascular workouts.  
• Some hotel exercise rooms have multi-purpose machines that give all of your body parts a great strength-training workout.
• Swimming is also an excellent cardiovascular workout, not to mention it also works every single muscle in your body.

If your hotel doesn’t have a workout facility or pool, there are still many easy ways to workout in the comfort of your own room.

• Bring resistance bands with you. You can work every single body part with these bands, and you control the amount of resistance. Better yet, they take up very little room and can easily fit into your suitcase. For exercises you can do with a resistance band and other furniture in your room, click here.
• Jump ropes take up little room in your suitcase, yet provide a great cardio workout. Jumping rope also targets balance and coordination.
• One of the easiest ways to get a workout in your hotel is to walk up and down the flights of stairs or hallways. It will get your heart rate up and you can control your pace.
• Because it’s not practical to pack dumbbells in your suitcase, there are a few other alternatives to lifting weights. Bottles of water make great weights. There are also a few manufacturers that make inflatable weights that can be packed in a suitcase and filled with water when ready to use.
• Many hotels have an affiliation with a local gym, and allow guests to work out there for a small fee.
• Ask the hotel about any nearby parks or trails. Walking is great exercise – plus you get to explore the area!

Daily Excursions:

To keep you moving without feeling like you’re exercising, About.com Health and Fitness offers these ideas to get a great cardio workout while on vacation:

• Walk or jog on the beach;
• Play beach volleyball;
• Surf;
• Swim;
• Go snorkeling or scuba diving;
• Go water or snow skiing;
• Take a leisurely bike ride;
• Hike to explore the area;
• Golf;
• Play tennis;
• Shopping (can be very aerobic under the right circumstance);
• Walk around a theme park (or other attraction).

Sources: About.com Health and Fitness; Road and Travel Magazine.