Travel Workout with Bands

Published:  05/19/2020

Doing a chest press on our boat in Echo Bay, Sucia Island, Washington.

Staying fit while traveling can be challenging, but with some planning and commitment, it's definitely achievable. As a dietitian and personal trainer, I am committed to my personal fitness goals and showing others how they can be too, in any situation. Even on a sailboat in a remote bay at Sucia Island Washington!

Let me show you how to enjoy your travels and use your trips as an opportunity to experience new activities and adventures while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

First of all, one of my strategies is to take a "gym in a  bag" workout band set with me when I travel on our boat. It allows me to get a great workout, and maintain my fitness and weight even if I am away from my gym. And it is a bargain price! 

Workout bands offer a portable and versatile fitness option that allows you to continue exercising and stay active even when you are away from your regular gym or fitness facility.  Workout bands offer a convenient solution for maintaining your fitness routine on the go. You can use them to replicate exercises typically performed with free weights or machines, such as bicep curls, squats, rows, and chest presses. Additionally, many workout bands come with door anchors or handles that allow you to attach them to different surfaces for additional exercise options.

I have an entire band workout for you below, so keep reading! 

In addition to the band workout, I also do bodyweight workouts on the boat, and if I am on shore I do a workout using body weight and a picnic table or log. I have a TRX suspension system that I take with me too sometimes. And for cardio I use a small commercial grade stepper machine on the boat, dock or shore. If walking or hiking is an option I do that too. See how many options there are? 

Here are some links to resources and other workouts. 

More Travel Workouts

Body Weight Workouts You Can Do Anywhere, Even on a Boat! 

For more about my travel workouts when I sail go to this post.

For more "travel no equipment workouts" go to this post.

For simple tips to keep in shape when you travel go to this post.

Use a Stretching Strap

This foot and leg stretching strap is used physical therapists to help get an optimal stretch in the bottom of the foot, calves and hamstrings. I also travel with my green stretch out strap. The strap has loops to put  your fingers through so you get a good grip and stretch. 

I like to use travel mat like this one that can be purchased on Amazon to save space in the boat. 

Stretching is an essential component of any fitness routine, and it offers numerous benefits for the body and overall well-being. Regular stretching can enhance your ability to move freely and perform everyday activities with ease. Increased flexibility can also improve athletic performance and reduce the risk of injuries, as it allows your body to move through a wider range of motion without straining or overloading the muscles.

For boaters, being flexible is essential. Boating requires the ability to move well and includes jumping off the boat to the dock for instance. If you are not flexible enough, you will not be able to get into the proper position to get a full range of motion when you jump.

Yoga Travel Mat 72" L x 24" W PRO 1.5mm, compact, washable with bag

Buy on Amazon

Stretch Out Strap with Exercise Book

Buy on Amazon

Soft Density Foam Roller

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I recommend this soft foam roller for beginners

Buy on Amazon

Resistance Loop Exercise Bands with Instruction Guide and Carry Bag, Set of 5

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Use these around your thighs or ankles to make leg exercises more challenging

Buy on Amazon

Resistance Exercise Bands Set

Buy on Amazon

Band Travel Workout

For each exercise, 8-12 repetitions improves strength and power, 10-15 repetitions improve strength in middle-age and older persons starting exercise, and 15-20 repetitions improve muscular endurance.

I suggest trying this at home first before your trip so that you are familiar with how to do the exercises. Then you can more easily adapt your setup to the boat.

Select a color of band that you can perform the exercise with good, safe technique with the amount of repetitions according to your goals. To be safe, please wear glasses to protect your eyes when using your bands in the event one breaks.