Business Travel

In most cases, people believe that exercise is the equivalent to torturing themselves when in the gym using treadmills and weight machines for several hours at a time. It is therefore understandable that with different time zones, flight delays, jet lag and meetings, the last thing you want to think about is going to the gym.

It may be tempting to simply not factor fitness into your business travel schedule at all. However, it is very important to understand that staying physically active will help boost your energy levels greatly and therefore make you far more productive. It will give you the stamina and focus which is vital in order to achieve throughout your busy day, helping you to concentrate fully on business meetings and other activities related to your business travel.

Not exercising at all, can have a negative impact on your body and how you perform - even if you lapse for just a few days. In addition, the long flights and not being able to sleep in your own bed can all affect your energy and concentration levels. It is reported that being physically active while you travel can certainly help to increase your alertness and reactions massively.

We know what you are thinking. This is what coffee and energy drinks are for. However, several studies have proven that exercise is far more effective than most stimulants and certainly a far healthier long-term option. It is important to note here that numerous studies also show that stimulants like coffee and energy drinks, can result in energy zaps. This is because they are a short-term and unhealthy option for boosting flagging energy levels .Therefore, you will ultimately feel even more fatigued, after consumption of these. This is why exercise should be the natural choice. It is your trusted friend, wherever you go.

However, if you are like most business people with packed diaries, you probably have no idea how you can fit exercise into an incredibly hectic travel schedule. This is where we can help, so keep reading.

1. Pack a day early

Perhaps one of the most stressful parts about going on a business trip is the packing. Instead of leaving packing for the last minute, try doing it a day or so before you leave. Doing so will not only give you some peace of mind, it will also then allow you some time to squeeze in a workout before you go.

Working out before your journey is a great way to de-stress your mind and body. This can, in turn, make your trip much more enjoyable and relaxing.

Since fitting in a workout before your journey is not the easiest thing to do, we recommend planning your week a few days ahead of your travel date. Alternatively, you can plan well enough to ensure that your travel day is turned into a rest day from your workout.

2. Get Organised

Stress is notorious for causing poor eating habits among many people. What is worse is that stress triggers the release of excessive amounts of cortisol. This then makes your body more susceptible to storing belly fat.

Dehydration can also very adversely affect your energy levels and can cause digestive system troubles and headaches. Airports are a stress of their own too. Therefore, to make your trip more relaxing, we recommend having plenty of fluids and healthy snacks (for example, nuts) handy to keep you nourished and fully hydrated during your journey and for arrival.

The airport process will also be much smoother if travel bags and documents have been organized efficiently beforehand.

3. Book Hotels with gyms

If you book a hotel that has a gym or a fitness center nearby, chances are that rolling out of bed and getting your workout done will be easier to do too.

Working out every morning, especially during business trips, is a surefire way of pumping more oxygen into your brain. This helps to improve your concentration levels and also your memory, sleep patterns and energy.

In addition, try to find a park or recreational area nearby, where you can go running and get some welcome fresh air too.

4. Schedule your workouts

During business trips, so much can compete for your time. Everything from meetings, to late night events, can come between you and your fitness goals. Therefore, it is critical that you are strategic about how you plan your workout times. Plan in advance and diarise it, just as if it was a special event or a meeting. Trust us, if it is on your calendar, it will happen.

5. Include exercise into your daily tasks

This may sound pretty cliché, but getting even some exercise is better than no exercise at all, especially on days when it is nearly impossible to fit in a workout. This includes taking the stairs, not the lift and also walking or running to nearby places you have to visit.

6. Or better yet, try bodyweight exercises

We are huge fans of bodyweight exercises. These can be done anywhere from your hotel room to a park and they do not require any equipment at all. Popular bodyweight exercises include pushups, squats, lunges and burps.

If you are already used to working out with heavy weights, bodyweight exercises may not appear tough enough. However, performing a reasonable number of reps is a great way of increasing your blood circulation and working your muscles.

A classic go-to workout is 50 to 100 burpees. This can be done in a short amount of time and can help you effectively torch a ton of calories, whilst building strength at the same time. Additionally, you can utilize items in your hotel room while working out as well. Examples are your bed, or a bench, for tricep dips