Fitness on the road with Michelle Bridges
My big thing when it comes to exercise is not body shape first and foremost, it’s how fricking amazing exercise is for your head! That to me stands on top of all else. Yes, training in all its different forms will help you achieve better fitness, power, agility, coordination, balance, weight loss and much more, however, my biggest view is always on how it makes one feel and think. When you throw some workouts into a trip, whether it’s a work trip or a holiday, it will help you de-stress and feel a million bucks – so why not just do it?
What’s the ideal travel workout? Who really cares, as long we you’re doing something, ANYTHING rather than nothing. If you’re stuck for ideas here’s a few:
Squeeze it in
This refers to both time and space. When you’re travelling, you’ll probably only have your hotel room as a workout space and with a busy schedule, you may only have a few minutes to spare each day.
Life on the road! Next stop #goldcoast #roadtrip A photo posted by Michelle Bridges (@mishbridges) on
Here is a workout you can do in 2.5 minutes in a space not much larger than a postage stamp. Do it when you first wake up or before you jump into the shower. Do each exercise for 30 seconds then take a 30-second break:
- Eight jumping front kicks then 10 jab punches
- Eight mountain climbers then four frog jumps
- Three step run R to L – run three steps to the right and then change direction quickly, three steps left
- In and outs – in a hand plank position, jumping feet in toward chest and back out
- Drop squats (bum to floor) with arms in a ‘V’ above your head
Get a fit hit in your pit stops
On a road trip? Plan your stops and make them every two hours or preferably less so that you can get out and move, move, move! Normally you stop at a good old servo, so wherever it is, lock the car and do one lap around the block. Or if you can stop at a park even better, because then you can knock out: 15 squats, 10 push-ups and five burpees (twice through if you have time).
Early morning push-ups!!!! #teamMB #MB #fitness #12wbt xxx A photo posted by Michelle Bridges (@mishbridges) on
Don’t. Eat. Crap. (or at least dial it back)
The best exercise you can do while travelling is NOT reaching for the chips and lollies. And definitely do not do a junkie drive-through! Avoid sugary and highly processed foods and make good food choices. It takes no more time to line up for a healthy food snack than it does to wait in the drive-through queue – so don’t use this as an excuse.
Burn mega fuel in the pool
Many hotels and other accommodation providers have a pool but a lot of people will dismiss it as a place for exercise because they don’t think of themselves as ‘a swimmer’. But there are lots of exercises you can do in the water that don’t involve freestyle or breaststroke and the water actually provides great resistance for a low-impact workout. Try these out:
- All time classic- Bombs! Seriously, they are the bomb!- Run and jump, then swim to the side, get out and repeat. Not only are they ridiculously good fun, the whole process also burns up so many calories.
- Running- Water running is excellent for rehab, injuries and calorie burning. If you’re travelling with family, put your kid on your shoulders for an added workout.
- Boxing – think of all your boxing moves then get your shoulders under water and knock it out! Just punch away, imaginary target!
…this is my personal verandah…..and it’s 33 degrees…..what’s a girl to do…? #bikinireadytogo #summerfun #teamMB #summer #12WBT A photo posted by Michelle Bridges (@mishbridges) on
Need some suggestions on which hotels have amazing gyms? Here’s some favourites:
How do you stay fit on the road? Tell us your tips in the comments.
You can meet and train with Michelle Bridges at the upcoming Fitness & Health Expo in Melbourne – Melbourne Contention & Exhibition Centre, April 10-12. The Expo also visits Perth, Sydney and Brisbane in Spring 2015. Visit www.fitnessexpo.com.au for more info.
on holidays we:
Do a 10 to 1 on the beach with 3 lines in the sand about 20 to 30 m apart. So 10 burpees, run, 10 squat jumps, lunge, 10 push ups, sprint back to start, then 9, 8…….
We find large Sand dunes and do 10 laps up and down with push ups and sit ups at the bottom.
With the kids we play jump over, jump through or dive under the waves. Who ever calls it first.
Loads of things to keep fit and to prevent the God aweful quad pain when you return to weighted squats once the holiday is over.