Using Hotel Gyms: Staying Fit While Traveling.
Most hotels offer gym facilities from basic cardio machines to the latest state-of-the-art equipment. Here are 7 tips for making the most of these hotel gyms:
1. Make Time
Hitting the hotel gym requires more effort on your part. There are endless excuses to skip out on the workout: busy work schedule, long days out sightseeing, you’re on vacation-mode, etc.
Make Time. Prioritize your health – you’ll feel so good after you sweat out what you’ve been eating and drinking. Wake up an hour early to use the gym before breakfast. Or, workout after your dinner digests and before your nightly shower.
2. Improvise
Be prepared to improvise with what is in the gym. Some hotels are bare bones with a couple of cardio machines and a handful of free weights. Other gyms in luxury hotels have the latest state-of-the-art equipment. Open your options to using what you have and being open-minded that you are still able to have a workout.
3. Cardio
At the very least, you can have a cardio workout on the treadmill, elliptical, or bicycle. This can allow you to get in your daily steps. For a bigger challenge, increase the incline on the treadmill or the resistance on the elliptical. And for those looking for more, try HIIT exercises on the machines – such as 30 seconds of running and 1 minute of walking for at least 20-30 minutes.
In luxury hotels, the gyms are typically equipped with a variety of cardio machines. This is your opportunity to try out the ones you don’t normally use.
4. Weights
Weights are the best way to burn off even more calories. Most hotel gyms have dumbbells and some even have kettlebells. Try full body weight workouts like deadlifts or squat and presses.
5. Bodyweight
Bodyweight workouts are a great form of cardio. Many gyms provide space and even mats for such workouts. Go for full body routines like a circuit of push-ups, planks, step-ups, and burpees.
6. Machines
Test out the variety of machines which can build up your shoulders and legs. Make sure to read the instructions and illustrations to know how to safely use each machine. You can also ask the in-house trainer if you are unsure.
7. Best Advice for Your Workouts
Getting to the gym is the hardest part. For added motivation, download shows on your phone’s Netflix app. You can watch it offline while on the cardio machines. Or, you can also use the gym as your time to catch up on your podcast list. Listening or watching something really helps time to fly by.
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