Traveling Workouts June 02, 2017, 12:16:47 pm While on our longer LD trips, DW and I are able to get all the walking and hiking we'd need or want. So in regards to our attempts to stay somewhat healthy, we get adequate cardio. On the other hand, I don't get the strength workouts during these trips and when we return home, it will take me many weeks to gain the ground I lost while traveling. So I've been pondering this matter for some time now and experimenting with various options to include intense calisthenics, occasional visits to nearby gyms, and so forth. During the last two (2) weeks, I've experimented with kettlebells and watched a good number of Youtube videos on various suggested workouts. While I don't get the same workout for larger muscles (back, chest, legs) as with a gym workout, it's still a decent workout. I'm gradually developing a routine and tempo that should help me to maintain strength while on longer LD trips. At the core of the workout is 8-10 reps per body part without rest between each set. After the first complete cycle for full body workout, a rest of 2-3 minutes, and I repeat the 8-10 reps for full body workout a second and third time. I can increase the intensity with more reps and less rest. I'm trying to do this workout with 1-2 kettlebells, which means we'd carry about 40-50 lbs.At any rate, I'd sure like to hear what others are doing with regards to this topic. 4 Likes
Re: Traveling Workouts Reply #1 – June 02, 2017, 12:57:54 pm Here is a workout I've used in the past (not lately, tho) that combines cardio w/strength. Just a few small dumbbells are needed. I think it is a similar philosophy to what you are already doing:Top Shape: 12 Weeks to Your Ideal Physique: Joyce L. Vedral: 9780446395335:... As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Traveling Workouts Reply #2 – June 02, 2017, 12:58:06 pm This is a great topic, IMHO! My wife and I have had the same dilemma and interest. At home we walk, bicycle, swim, practice yoga, and do a morning workout. While on longer trips we still walk and occasionally bicycle, but swimming and the workouts are difficult. Finding routes that are safe and conducive to bicycling while on the road isn't easy. We do enjoy a little yoga most mornings and other campers who walk past give us strange looks. If we look up and see them staring, they quickly look away and seem to walk faster. I suspect that their thoughts are likely "Weirdos... must be from California". Sit-ups and pushups are always available. Step-ups on the picnic table bench are available when not boondocking. Wife enjoys daily Tai Chi... more weird looks!Last summer, while camping at Tumalo State Park in Bend, Ore., we did see a neighbor couple who set up an entire gym with resistance bands and weights next to their motorhome and spent hours working out. That is a little more than we are interested in!If we want to stay physically healthy and capable of doing all of the things we now enjoy doing, daily exercise is essential! I'll be interested in hearing how others have incorporated exercise into their travels.Harold 3 Likes
Re: Traveling Workouts Reply #3 – June 02, 2017, 01:12:28 pm HA HA HA I LOVE this topic! My background is that I have a degree in dance, and pre kid, my profession was Pilates Instructor. Before heading out in our RV I had big dreams of taking dance classes across the country as I traveled, or possibly joining a large gym chain so that I could go to the gym when I was near large cities..... then reality struck. My reality was that I would be traveling with just me and my kids, which meant that I couldn't leave them at all in the RV. Which meant working out in the RV. SO.... my personal experience has been taking dance classes via YouTube standing in my MB holding on to the counter as a barre. ha ha then kicking the kids to the back so I could do my mat exercises and my Zumba (yes I do Zumba in my MB). Most of the time I am carrying my youngest (40lbs) on my back for hikes, so I do get a little extra workout in during hikes. SO I know that my experience is NOT going to be your experience..... but as an exercise person, I do have some suggestions... maybe some of them might work for you. Depending on how much you travel and where you travel, joining a nationwide gym (and paying a little extra) might allow you to access gyms across the US. There is a couple who call themselves the Fit RV who live in their RV and workout. I haven't checked out their workouts, but I bet they have some good ones. Depending on the layout of your RV, you most likely can find room for pushups, dips, sit-ups etc..... I also would recommend some thera-bands, or resisitance bands. They are super light, take up almost NO space, and come in different strengths. They will definitely help you gain/keep strength. You can find almost anything in terms of workouts on YouTube, and if you are like me and tend to camp at places where you have no internet, they now offer YouTube Red that allows you to download videos. I hope some of these suggestions will help. Good Luck! And if you ever walk by my RV and it's a rocking' most likely I'm doing Zumba. ;-) -Rebecca 5 Likes
Re: Traveling Workouts Reply #4 – June 02, 2017, 01:26:49 pm BTW, Happy National Donut Day, everyone! Remember, do not donut and drive:https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoStatePatrol/videos/1635810923126730/ 1 Likes
Re: Traveling Workouts Reply #5 – June 02, 2017, 01:59:21 pm My wife and I used to stop at gyms in different cities that we traveled through. In the 1980's, while passing through Calgary, Canada we stopped at a gym for a workout and were surprised to see the female gym instructors wearing spike high heels and sitting at the juice bar smoking cigarettes.Different times and different strokes... 1 Likes
Re: Traveling Workouts Reply #6 – June 02, 2017, 03:28:48 pm Quote from: Blueox25 - June 02, 2017, 12:58:06 pmWe do enjoy a little yoga most mornings and other campers who walk past give us strange looks. If we look up and see them staring, they quickly look away and seem to walk faster. I suspect that their thoughts are likely "Weirdos... must be from California". Sit-ups and pushups are always available. Step-ups on the picnic table bench are available when not boondocking. Wife enjoys daily Tai Chi... more weird looks!I've received a few looks too. I smile, wave, and offer them a "good day" greeting. Most of the time they return an in-kind greeting. If they're gym-rats, we exchange a few more comments like "ain't getting easier," or "want to spot me on this push-up." Nevertheless, I try to be somewhat discreet and keep my basic yoga in the LD kitchen. After all, who wants to see my "bottom" stuck up in the air doing down-dog or even worse "happy baby" in some State Park? 3 Likes
Re: Traveling Workouts Reply #7 – June 02, 2017, 04:16:37 pm ".... we stopped at a gym for a workout and were surprised to see the female gym instructors wearing spike high heels and sitting at the juice bar smoking cigarettes."---Don't know about zoning laws in Calgary, but maybe you hit the strip club instead of the gym? Were there "poles" around the juice bar? 3 Likes
Re: Traveling Workouts Reply #8 – June 02, 2017, 05:03:52 pm LOL! It would appear this topic just didn't "take off".Chris
Re: Traveling Workouts Reply #9 – June 03, 2017, 01:30:38 am Good one, Chris!I like the approach taken on The Fit RV. One example- Stef’s Full-Body Resistance Bands RV Workout: Video & Printable Included!While I like the testing James does, we both get inspiration knowing that Stef is a grandmother too! 1 Likes
Re: Traveling Workouts Reply #10 – June 03, 2017, 09:03:44 am Quote from: paul banbury - June 03, 2017, 01:30:38 amI like the approach taken on The Fit RV. One example- Stef’s Full-Body Resistance Bands RV Workout: Video & Printable Included!For some reason, I just hadn't considered Bands which I've used from time to time. And of course Bands are extremely light and store easily. Thinking ... thinking ... thinking ---> Bands vs Kettlebells? Back to the workout drawing board at the local gym. Thanks Paul for the lightbulb!
Re: Traveling Workouts Reply #11 – June 03, 2017, 09:11:23 am Quote from: Traxless - June 03, 2017, 09:03:44 amFor some reason, I just hadn't considered Bands which I've used from time to time. And of course Bands are extremely light and store easily. Thinking ... thinking ... thinking ---> Bands vs Kettlebells? Back to the workout drawing board at the local gym. Thanks Paul for the lightbulb! The advantage of the kettlebell workout, as I understand it, is that they help with balance as well as strength. The disadvantage, as you know, is the weight of them.
Re: Traveling Workouts Reply #12 – June 04, 2017, 12:04:39 pm TRX straps can be found at most gyms and use body weight for your resistance. You can purchase the home set-up but they are slightly pricey. I think you could attach them to an upper rung of your ladder on the RV. The nice part about them is the angle you perform the moves dictates the difficulty of the exercise. This is good for those who don't have a lot of strength. For example, squats, not fun to do but with the straps makes them doable for just about anyone (obviously not if you have significant knee issues etc...). The stronger you become, you change your body angle to make it more difficult. I use them, I just find it's easier to be lazy when camping Just another option.... 3 Likes
Re: Traveling Workouts Reply #13 – June 04, 2017, 02:56:23 pm If you are a golfer there are awesome exercises simulating the golf swing using exercise bands. I have used them for over 30 years. Back in the day, you had to get surgical tubing from a medical supply store. The bands made today are quite superior.
Re: Traveling Workouts Reply #14 – June 08, 2017, 03:11:48 pm Quote from: Traxless - June 02, 2017, 03:28:48 pmI've received a few looks too. I smile, wave, and offer them a "good day" greeting. Most of the time they return an in-kind greeting. If they're gym-rats, we exchange a few more comments like "ain't getting easier," or "want to spot me on this push-up." Nevertheless, I try to be somewhat discreet and keep my basic yoga in the LD kitchen. After all, who wants to see my "bottom" stuck up in the air doing down-dog or even worse "happy baby" in some State Park?I, too, usually do my yoga in LDy Lulubelle's living room/kitchen, though it does feel a bit confining with some of the floor stretches...except at Ladeze where there is great acceptance to be found & no stares at the "weirdos" are allowed. I've just added Tai Chi through a class at our health department. I used the exercise area at my late aunt's when I would visit her in Denver (somehow there were never any residents there when I used the room). On the other hand, I must admit to a certain degree of hubris that I can even do "down-dog" & "happy baby"...so I've also done it in a couple of campgrounds & shamelessly thought to myself "nyah, nyah, nan-nayh, nayh, nyah...y'all don't know how *old* sneaks up on ya, so y'all better use it or lose it." So kudos to all of us that are practicing maintenance on ourselves as well as our LDs.Oh, & thx for the idea of therabands...lightweight & go everywhere.Lynne 3 Likes
Re: Traveling Workouts Reply #15 – March 30, 2018, 10:30:23 pm This post is a courteous follow-up to the suggestion to use resistance bands while traveling. First, let me say that I really enjoy resistance band training. I originally bought a set to use while traveling in our LD and now use them when I'm too lazy to go to the gym (like tonight). When I use the bands with high repetitions and circuit training, I get a decent strength workout in 20-25 minutes. The bands weigh a few pounds and store just about anywhere. They are a perfect solution for my situation.Finally, it's not the Golden Years, it's the Rust Years and I'm simply trying to minimize the rust. Hope this follow-up is helpful. 4 Likes
Re: Traveling Workouts Reply #16 – March 31, 2018, 08:55:16 am Many good suggestions here.I was in Costco the other day and saw 2-year prepaid memberships to 24 Hour Fitness that worked out to $16.97 a month.I didn't buy at the time, as I wanted to see how the coverage of facilities dovetailed into my travel plans.The added benefits would include the showers. I could soak at my leisure and easily be able to sing my favorite songs all the way through!Graydon
Re: Traveling Workouts Reply #17 – March 31, 2018, 09:13:39 am Agree with Paul that Stef of The Fit RV has some good traveling workouts. Some are geared especially for those of us old enough to remember rotary dial phones and rabbit ear TVs Workouts | The Fit RV
Re: Traveling Workouts Reply #18 – March 31, 2018, 10:09:47 am I certainly agree that doing everything one can to keep vertical is a goal for 'seniors', but those with knee, back, neck, shoulder, and/or other issues, age-related or not, might want to consult a knowledgeable and certified PT or other 'body professional' experienced with the needs of 'older adults' and, if possible, get a personalized workout plan. Some exercises and stretches in a 'program package' may not be appropriate for each individual, and may even cause damage, particularly if they are done incorrectly, and not all 'fitness trainers' are qualified.YMMV, of course.
Re: Traveling Workouts Reply #19 – March 31, 2018, 11:01:52 am Graydon,24 hour fitness would indeed be a useful “shower and spa” break as well as a nice place to keep fit while traveling the country.“Here’s what I found on the web about 24 Hour Fitness US Locations”... Gym Locations | 24 Hour FitnessThat being said, my DW is a member and is restricted to a local 24 Hr Fitness location so I’m not sure if all locations are available to members. Hmmmm...Stay fit,Kent 1 Likes
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