Don't you love those products they sell on TV - "Get Fit In the Privacy of Your Hotel Room!" or "Lose inches even when traveling" - I don't believe any of it. Sure, anything will work, but only if you actually DO it! For some of these silly products, I would think you would have to "do it" for hours on end. Sitting on the corner of my hotel bed lifting dumbells filled with water isn't my idea of training.
I travel a lot for work - on the road all the time. I've found that the secret is just DOING it and sticking to the basics. Last night I ran 10 in Huntsville, AL - last week I did 13 in Atlanta. I can usually find a pool too (they have great pools in Huntsville - the one I use charges $2 for lap swimming, has tons of open lanes, an open air ceiling - and no membership required...Huntsville Natatorium, 2213 Drake Ave., Huntsville, AL (256) 883-3700).
Sure you have to run in unfamiliar areas (remember to wear your RoadID - www.roadid.com) - what I do is drive it with my car when I first arrive, and use my Garmin to track pace and miles. I've found some nice runs - but I don't get crazy about finding the perfect spot....even if I have to run on the highway, at least I'm running. They key is - get out of the hotel!
The problem of course is the biking. I don't think you get any benefit from the lifecycles in the hotel gyms. The seating is all wrong (why would you make a bike that isn't shaped like a bike anyway?) and it is so intensly boring sitting there watching CNN. Sometimes you can find a spin class - if you can get a guest pass to Gold's (there is no Gold's in Huntsville - why?) or another club. Otherwise, I'm stuck running and running.
Oh, one other suggestion. Don't put your running shoes into your luggage until the very last minute - and then take them out as soon as you can! Use that hotel laundry bag to seal them up if possible. This makes for more pleasant meetings - for everyone concerned. :-)
Next week - New Jersey....Anyone have any other ideas?
J
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