Going On Holiday? Here are 4 Tips For Maintaining Fitness

It’s the holiday season and while it’s important to relax and get into a different headspace when you’re away, some athletes don’t want to lose everything they’ve worked for in the last few months.

You might be aiming to stick 100% to your training plan while on holiday, or you might just want to keep things ticking along so you don’t come back completely out of shape.

Whichever camp you fall into, and whatever type of holiday you’ve got lined up, there are some simple rules you can follow to help you stick to your plan and get your workouts done.

Use High-Intensity, Low-Volume Workouts

Sometimes you have to be realistic and prioritise your time. Condensing your sessions into smaller time frames by completing high-intensity 20 to 30-minute circuits could be a better way to go than trying to do a long lifting routine, for example.

By being smart with your time, you can make sure you still have space in your day to experience everything you want to and not miss out.

Try researching and planning a few short but intense sessions before you go away.

Pack The Right Equipment

Even if you don’t think you necessarily need all of it, taking all the kit you could use like resistance bands and plenty of workout clothes will make you more likely to stick to your plans while you’re away.

If you’ve made a conscious effort to make room in your luggage to bring exercise equipment, you’re much more likely to follow through on your sessions.

Finding motivation can be tricky when you’re in a different routine and headspace, so it pays to be prepared.

Get It Done Early

If you have a long lie-in and decide to put your session off to the end of the day, there’s a good chance you won’t get it done. Particularly on a summer holiday when the temperature gets warmer throughout the day and your body might become tired from spending time in the sun, you don’t want to be having to exercise in the afternoon.

Make a plan to get up and get your workout done before anyone else is up. It will set you off on the right foot and help you relax and make the most of the rest of your day.

Don’t Be Too Ambitious

In a perfect world, you wouldn’t need to make any compromises. But it’s not a perfect world and setting yourself very lofty targets could mean you don’t follow through on any of the workouts you have scheduled.

Try to taper back your expectations and set reasonable, achievable targets for your time away. If you set a massive goal and fall short of it early on, you could knock your motivation completely.

But if you start smashing what you had planned, you’ll want to carry on and make sure you maintain your routine for the remainder of the holiday.