You’ve packed your suitcase, got your plane ticket, kissed the wife and kids goodbye, and gave the dogs a pat on the head.
You’re heading out on yet another long business trip and you know in the back of your mind that not only will you be missing all of them, you can probably say adios to any chance you’ll have of getting in a good workout for the next 5-10 days! Just when you started to see those abs. Just when the biceps started to pop out when you wore short sleeve shirts.
Just when your energy levels were soaring from being locked into your regular training routine….it’s time to hit the road again.
Road Worrier or Road Warrior?
The question is…what will you become? A Road Worrier who lets the fear of letting your fitness go, actually become a reality as you struggle to find a well equipped hotel gym (that is…if you decide to even enter the gym at all!).
Or…will you become a Road Warrior, who seeks out the gym as regularly as you did at home, schedules your time in the gym as you would any important business meeting, and even if you find the available space or equipment substandard…MAKES it everything you need to get a great workout in!
Recently, on a quick trip to Chicago…I toured the hotel gym (most would agree that it’s even better than the typical hotel gym…and that’s not good!) and showed you quickly how to ignore some of the things they’re suggesting you use for the things you NEED to use, and also how to get the most out of those dumbbells that only go up to 35 or 50 pounds. You can check it out here!
How Dedicated Are You?
The difference in what you become depends a lot on your level of dedication to looking your best. Do you just think “it would be nice”, or do you make it a priority of yours and feel as if your day isn’t complete until you’ve hit the gym?
Lets face it. If you’re the latter…you’d even find a way to get that workout in in your own room, using the bed for dips, the bathtub for step ups, and the floor for crunches, planks and pushups…so I’m not so concerned about you guys. It’s the others that worry me. Why? Because it doesn’t have to be that way. Let me help you out.
The first thing you should do is visit the hotel gym once you get there. I know, it may seem funny, but you’d be surprised at how many people will avoid the gym simply because they don’t know where in the hotel it is and they are either too lazy, embarrassed or looking for a reason NOT to ask someone!
For someone that spent over 3 years practically living in hotels during my time traveling with the New York Mets as the team’s physical therapist and assistant strength coach…it was practically a job requirement for me to know! Whatever the case for you, just make sure you locate it. After all, knowing where you’re going is always the crucial first step for getting there.
Analyzing The Options…
Next you’ll want to take a look at the equipment that’s available there. Sure they’ll probably be plenty of cardio options…but in my mind, those don’t count. That’s a given, and frankly, not what’s going to give you the most bang for your buck when you’re trying to get efficient and effective workouts in when you’re squeezed for time.
What I mean is, take in the equipment. If you see dumbbells and some space, you’re more than adequately prepared to get the job done. Just machines? Still not a problem as you can still do some creative variations on the different machine.
Just space? No problem again. There are hundreds of great bodyweight strengthening and conditioning exercises that you can be doing….and in just minutes…to get a great workout in.
Set Up A Schedule…
Finally, set up a schedule for the days you’re going to want to hit that gym while you’re staying there. A good rule of thumb is for every 3 days you’ll be there…aim for 2 workouts. So if you’re checked in for a 7 day stay (Monday through Sunday)….aim to workout Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. This frees your mind of wondering WHEN you’ll be getting your workouts in, and allows you to concentrate on all the things that brought you out there in the first place. Namely…your business.
So you see, negotiating life on the road doesn’t mean that your fitness and muscles have to be left at home. Nearly every hotel these days has a facility (even if it’s a bit underdeveloped) that you can visit to take your “guns show” on the road.
Don’t pass up the opportunity for fear of what is lacking there. Instead maximize what IS there and in the process…maximize your muscle growth and speed up your path to an AthLEAN body!
Stay Strong,
Jeff
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