Staying Fit On The RV Road

March 20, 2009

by Jamie Hall Bruzenak
as appeared in RV Lifestyle Experts

How do you stay fit as you travel? There are options, though it can take diligence to make sure you get your exercise in.

RV parks may have facilities to help you stay in shape. Many have pools, though usually only larger resorts have lap pools or a gym. RV resorts may also have courts for bocce ball, pickleball and other sports. RV parks and resorts with these facilities are generally ones that attract long-term residents.

Walking and biking can be done most anywhere. Both can be done at most RV parks, though it may not be the most interesting scenery or conducive to a pace that will raise your heartbeat. In the afternoon after you set up in an RV park, take time to walk around. Mornings before leaving is another good time to spend at least 1/2 hour walking or riding your bicycle.

You may be able to find hikes, nice areas to walk or bike trails nearby if you do some research. The American Volkssport Association is made up of walking clubs, which have events all over the U.S. Check to see if there is something near your travels. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has a list of trails for biking and walking at their Web site. An article naming walkable cities by the now defunct Walking Magazine lists a number of cities to keep in mind as you travel.

Some RVers find gyms to work out at when they travel. Curves has locations in some pretty small towns and your membership is good for visits. Gold’s Gym, I believe, allows out-of-town guests to use their gym. Other gyms might let you use their facilities for a small fee. Ask at the RV park if they know of one.

Carrying your own workout equipment is another solution. For a while I carried a Nordic Track Machine in the motor home. It had to be folded up and put in a closet and took up the entire free area in the kitchen/dinette area (no slide out) when in use. You can imagine how often that was used before being donated or sold! Dumbbells or bands are small and take up little space so are more convenient to use. An invigorating exercise tape or a yoga or Pilates routine can be a good motivator for some.

So why not stay fit?
The biggest hindrance to staying fit is usually not equipment or facilities, but being disciplined about exercising at least 3-4 times/week. It helps if both spouses, if married, exercise. Or, if you travel solo or your spouse or partner isn’t interested, find an exercise partner if you’ll be in one spot for a while. It’s harder to go back to sleep when someone else is counting on you showing up for a walk.

RV friend DeAnna started water workout classes where they work-camped to have others to exercise with. She carries her foam dumbbells and belt in her RV so she can do her routine wherever there is a pool. Sometimes a local motel will allow non-guests to use their pool for a small fee if the park doesn’t have a pool or there is no community pool.

In “RV Traveling Tales: Women’s Journeys on the Open Road”, Joanne Alexakis writes a hilarious account about making one more New Years Resolution to lose weight in “Losing Weight with Suzanne.” She followed the Suzanne Somers’ weight loss plan, combined with brisk walking laps around the perimeter of the Florida RV park where they stayed that winter. As the pounds came off, she added sprints and dumbbells. She lost a total of 40 pounds! The exercise became self-motivating as she dropped the excess weight.

So how do you stay fit? Do you make the effort? Do you get off the road in time to get in some exercise when you are traveling?

Please add your strategy in a comment below or email Jamie at calamityjaimie@gmail.com

Posted by RVchurchesUSA | Filed Under RV Lifestyle, Uncategorized, ViewPoints 

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