It's easy for exercise to fall by the wayside while travelling: long hours sitting behind the wheel, broken routines and limited space. But travelling by motorhome can, on the contrary, be a great opportunity to stay active, because nature is right on your doorstep. With minimal equipment and a bit of consistency, you can look after yourself just as well as at home, if not better. Here are some ideas.
Make the most of your surroundings: the world is your gym
The biggest advantage of travelling: you wake up in incredible places to get moving. Hiking (see hiking), cycling (see cycle touring), swimming, running along the beach or through the hills, kayaking (see kayaking)... exercise becomes part of the trip, not an obligation. Make moving your body a way of discovering each place.
Routines with (almost) no equipment
For the days when there's no outdoor activity planned, you can train with little or nothing at all:
- Bodyweight exercises: squats, press-ups, planks, lunges... you don't need anything.
- Minimal, compact kit: a mat, some resistance bands (barely take up space and offer plenty of variety), a skipping rope.
- Yoga and stretching: ideal for easing your back after driving and for tight spaces; just a mat is enough.
Yoga: a perfect fit for camper life
Yoga fits beautifully with camper life: it needs little space and no equipment, it relaxes you, improves flexibility and eases the tension built up from hours behind the wheel (see posture and your back). Practising it at sunrise in front of a beautiful landscape is one of the best parts of the trip.
Tips for sticking with it
- Make it a routine: a short session in the morning, before starting the day.
- Make the most of stops: stretch and move during driving breaks.
- Stay hydrated and eat well (see eating well).
- Enjoy it: if you experience it as part of the trip rather than a chore, you won't give it up.
In summary
Staying fit on the road is easy if you make the most of your surroundings (hiking, cycling, swimming) and stick to routines with barely any equipment (bodyweight, bands, yoga). The step to take today: turn moving your body into part of the trip (a walk or bike ride each day) and pack a mat and some resistance bands to train or do yoga wherever you are; you'll feel better and ease the strain of driving on your back. Pair it with eating well.