EXPERT REVEALS THREE ESSENTIAL SUMMER HOLIDAY FITNESS HACKS
Holidays are for relaxation, indulgence, and adventure — but that doesn’t mean your fitness routine has to take a backseat. It’s the perfect time to refresh your workouts and turn movement into fun, memorable moments. Fitness expert Nikki Ellis shares her top fitness hacks for staying active, no matter where your travels take you.
Camping fitness hacks
When you’re camping, the great outdoors is your fitness playground. With so much to explore, staying active is practically built into your itinerary.
• Walk and hike your heart out: Whether trekking to a scenic lookout or wandering along a forest path, hiking is an incredible way to torch calories, build strength, and immerse yourself in nature. Not into hardcore trails? Opt for long, leisurely walks around the campsite or nearby reserves.
• If your campsite is near a lake, river, or beach, dive in! Swimming or even splashing around works your whole body while keeping things playful. Bonus: It’s a great way to cool off and offers some cold water immersion therapy to boot.
• Sand walking: A stroll along the beach is deceptively hard work. The soft, shifting sand challenges your muscles, particularly your calves and glutes. Try walking barefoot to connect with the earth and give your feet a little workout.
• Bodyweight strength training: You don’t need a fancy gym to get strong. Push-ups, squats, planks, and lunges can all be done outside. Want to up the ante? Use rocks or logs for added weight, or incorporate hill sprints for a power boost.
Beach house bliss
Staying at a beach house is ideal for turning your fitness routine into something as carefree as an alcohol-free Mojito before a sunset.
• Daily walks or jogs: Set aside time each day for a walk or run along the shore. The sea air is invigorating, and the sand adds an extra challenge for your legs.
• Water play: Kayaking, paddleboarding, or floating on the waves all count as movement. These activities feel more like fun than exercise but do wonders for your core, balance, and upper body strength.
• Staying in a holiday home offers more flexibility for creating a mini home gym. I highly recommend throwing some TRX cables in your bag as a home away from home gym. Hook them onto a sturdy beam or tree and smash out rows, squats, and core work. TRX is compact, versatile, and great for maintaining strength. Check out options on Amazon.
Overseas travel tips
When hopping between airports, hotels, and tourist hotspots, squeezing in a workout might feel daunting. But with a bit of creativity, you can keep moving no matter where you are.
• Airport and travel day movement: Long-haul flights and road trips don’t have to mean sitting still. Use layovers or pit stops to stretch and walk as much as possible. Explore airport terminals, pace while waiting at the gate, or opt for a quick stretch session before boarding. Don’t forget to get up every hour and stretch and rotate, and whilst sitting, flex and extend your feet, tense your leg muscles and don’t forget your compression socks.
• Explore your surroundings on foot: Walking is one of the easiest ways to stay active while sightseeing. From city streets to countryside paths, ditch the cab or tour bus and use your legs to explore.
• Hotel gyms and innovation: Check if your hotel has a gym and take advantage of it, even if it’s small. No gym? No problem. Use furniture for bodyweight exercises—think elevated push-ups.
• Bodyweight workouts: A quick circuit of squats, push-ups, and planks can be done anywhere. Just remember to make it a challenge—add more reps, shorten your rest time, or include variations like jump squats and single-arm planks.
And remember .... depending on how long you are away, your body won’t lose all its strength in a couple of weeks! So if there is no gym available, or maybe you are at a conference and do not have time to train – don’t stress too much!
Nikki Ellis is a fitness expert with over 30 years of experience. You can follow her on Instagram @cinchtraining
