Five Easy Exercises to Do on a Vacation

Walking

• Even if you are not into rugged activities, such as backpacking, camping or mountain climbing, you can get a lot of exercise on vacation just by walking. Walking tours and sightseeing are good ways to get plenty of exercise without equipment or the risk of injury associated with more adventurous activities. Many cities and towns have an historic section and local tourism agencies can help you register for walking tours. Check out the local golf course and sign up for a few rounds while on vacation. Skip the golf cart and walk the course instead.

Body Weight Circuit

• You don't even have to leave your hotel room to get a good workout while on vacation. You can do body weight circuits right in your room, and you don't need any exercise equipment. Start out with a five-minute warm-up by doing some jumping jacks or jogging in place. Target your legs, butt and abs by doing 10 squats. Rest for 30 seconds and then do 10 pushups. Take 30 seconds to catch your breath and move immediately to 10 crunches. Finish off your hotel room circuit by doing five regular planks followed by five side planks on each side. If you need more of a challenge, and have the time, repeat the circuit as many times as you can.

Resistance-Band Workout

• Resistance bands are lightweight, but effective, pieces of exercise equipment that you can take with you on any vacation. You can get a powerful workout pulling these stretchy elastic bands right in your hotel room. Anchor the bands to a heavy piece of furniture, such as the bed, or use elastic bands that do not require an anchor. Wrap the bands around your hands or stand on the middle of the band and pull each end with your hands to perform biceps curls, triceps extensions and chest presses. You can do other resistance exercises, such as triceps pushups, lateral raises and resistance-band squats.

Dumbbell Exercises

• You don't have to give up your free-weight arm exercises while on vacation. Pack a set of 3- to 5-pound dumbbells or some aqua dumbbells in your luggage so you can keep your arms firm and toned. Aqua dumbbells are plastic dumbbells that you can fill with up to 16 pounds of water. You can do arm exercises using dumbbells in your hotel room before breakfast or in the evening before bedtime. Some easy exercises to do with dumbbells include biceps curls, triceps kickbacks and rows. Hold a dumbbell in each hand when doing squats or crunches for added resistance.

Yoga

• Try some yoga exercises to improve your balance and strengthen your muscles. You can do yoga poses in your hotel room, at the hotel gym, at the beach or in a sunny park. Easy yoga exercises include Downward Dog, Warrior pose and Boat pose. Other poses that are easy to do anywhere, anytime are Tree and Triangle poses. You can do the Seated Twist and Cobra to stretch your muscles after a long day of fun and adventure.