Today’s guest post stresses a lesson I could stand to do better on myself: the importance of being physically fit while traveling.
On Emei Shan last month, we reached roughly 1,200 meters’ altitude before I started to feel like I wanted to die. Which might sound like an achievement, except that we’d taken a cable car up to 1,000 m. After less than an hour of hiking — and at Emei Shan “hiking” means climbing endless stone steps — I was already grateful for the head start.
Emei Shan: It's Nature's StairMaster.
I’m most definitely not a gym rat, though I’ve made great strides from the days of hiding in the bathroom during P.E. class. But my recent trips have involved plenty of adventure activities that I never think of doing at home. I don’t routinely spend three hours at a stretch on the StairMaster, for instance. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever used a StairMaster. But I didn’t think anything of planning the trip to Emei Shan.
Whether it’s hiking the Great Wall, kayaking in Halong Bay or snorkeling with dolphins in New Zealand, athletic activities are a lot more appealing in exotic locations. But the activity that sounds good while you’re planning can turn out to be an unpleasant slog to the finish line if you’re not prepared for it. Which is why the one of the best things you can do to prepare for your trip has nothing to do with guidebooks, packing lists, or travel blogs: Exercise.
Meandering through a Japanese temple may not seem like an endurance activity — until you've tried to visit five in one day.
Before your trip, find a way to get active: Run, play pick-up basketball, or simply walk around your neighborhood. All the better if you can find something to do that is related to your travel plans. So if you’re planning to go hiking in the Slovenian Alps, go on a day hike or two in your nearest state park. Before a bike trip through the Netherlands, spend some time exploring your hometown on two wheels. Especially if you’re trying to save money for your trip, exercise can double as free (or nearly-free) entertainment and a way to avoid “anticipation fatigue”. And even if your itinerary doesn’t include athletic adventures, being in good shape will make it easier to explore a new city, dance till dawn and still be able to lug your backpack around the next day.
After my Emei Shan experience, I decided it was time to restart my off-and-on running habit. I want to spend the summer exploring Nizhny Novgorod, New York and Nantucket, not comatose in front of an air conditioner. So if you’ll excuse me, I’m off for a jog.
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I was pretty active before I left but now after 2 months on the road I’m finding it really difficult. The problem is that I don’t run. Some people run but not me. But I really need to find something that works for me, especially before I hike the Inca Trail in October.
ayngelina´s last blog ..Reunited and it feels so good
I find exercising on the road tough, too. Traveling is usually what derails me from a workout schedule. I find that all the walking helps maintain fitness, though — but it doesn’t make it psychologically easier to resume working out when I get home.
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I’m not a runner either, which is a shame because it’s such an easy way to keep in shape anywhere.
So true! I just got back from Qoyllur Rit’i in the Peruvian Andes, which requires an 8km trek – not that hard unless you consider that the peak altitude is 4,700 m. It nearly killed me – and I’ll be hitting the high altitude spin classes here in Cusco to prepare me for the next Andean trek. So bloody hard.
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altitude spin classes sound badass
Nothing like running around all day with a backpack to get the heartrate going!!
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I usually try to walk more than take public transportation and get my exercise in that way while traveling
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ouch, those stairs!
alongside exercise comes proper footwear. as geeky as you may think wearing running shoes is while travelling to certain places, your feet will love you for it. its always something to think about if you know you’re going to be walking around for 6 hours a day… sneakers by day and then slip into those cute ballerina flats for a night out.
k.
Comfortable shoes are one of the most important steps to not being miserable while traveling.
Completely agree that comfortable shoes are very important for an active holiday!!
2 years ago i went to a very nice trip (active holiday) in Spain, Asturias.. recommendable to everyone:)
Yeah, running is a good way to get in shape, but it’s not for everyone (my personal trainer hates running and discourages her clients from doing it–she says it’s awful for your knees). I think hiking–and even just hours of walking around a new city and exploring–is a great way to stay fit. Eating well is also difficult but so important while traveling. It’s tempting to try every new thing in sight, but it’s a quick way to pack on the pounds…
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Walking, walking and walking some more is my preferered method of exercise while traveling. the eating well I need to work on.
Great article. Some great articles and videos for travels to workout and stay in shape while on the road. http://bit.ly/bJGc9R
Being fit is very necessary..i mean it was for me. I go to the gym everyday, play football twice a week and basketball once a week, in the morning i do sprints in the park near my apartment. Well a couple of years ago i visited Peru and decided to take the Lare’s trek through the Andes to finally reach Machu Picchu (last leg by train). The trek lasted 4 days and 3 nights and was at 16,000ft for 48 hours. I would literally take 2-8 steps and be exhausted..i felt like if i was sprinting the whole time.. but man it was beautiful scenery; andean glaciers, mountain tops, fighting the elements; sometimes sunny and hot 10 minutes lates snowy and freezing. All and all a great trip planned out by a friend that runs his own travel agency in Peru (www.closerperu.com if anyone is interested)