Four Rules for Better Workouts While Traveling, Because Sometimes the Hotel Gym Isn’t Cutting It

For some guys, travel is going to mean dedicating some real suitcase real-estate to gear. Jeff Laub, co-founder of the nationwide barbershop chain Blind Barber, does Jiu Jitsu four to five days a week while at home, so putting that on pause while he’s out of town isn’t an option. That means all of his gear comes with. “That includes my finger cape, my gi (which is the kimono), my rashguards, a mouthguard, and a pair of slides.” 

Foxie emphasized the importance of appropriate training shoes for whatever activities you’ll be doing even though limiting it to one pair can be tough. “You can get away with working out in running shoes, but you can’t really run in lifting shoes,” he says.

From an equipment standpoint, mini resistance bands take up virtually no space and can be used for both strength training and stretching in any setting–indoors or outdoors. All you need are bands and your body. And a travel-sized massage gun feels as good after a long car or plane ride as it does after a good workout. Foxie says they make collapsible foam rollers, but a lacrosse ball will also do the trick. “I need it for the bottom of my feet, but you could also get into your calves, glutes, hammies and even your quads,” he says.

Book a better hotel gym 

Some people chose a hotel for the bar downstairs, but it’s increasingly possible to pick based on the fitness amenities (especially in big cities). 

 Chris Rucker, a strategy consultant and president of the streetwear brand Sy5der, strength trains at his gym with a trainer two days a week and then mixes in light cardio at his apartment building’s gym. When he travels with his wife and kids, it’s simply push-ups and body weight exercises, but when he’s traveling on his own for work, a place to get a workout helps dictate where he stays. For example, he says, “Usually when I’m in L.A., I stay at the Mondrian in Hollywood because their gym has everything I need—a range of dumbbells, good treadmills and bikes, and all the equipment is fairly new.”

These days, the amenities go beyond just the gym. Even Hotels leave basic equipment—yoga mat, resistance bands and a foam roller—in every hotel room, while other properties are partnering with high end wellness brands. Westin Hotels recently introduced a gear lending program where they have Hyperice and Bala strengthening and recovery equipment like massage guns. New York’s ModernHaus has a HigherDOSE infrared sauna available for guests. 

Live like a local 

If you’ve got the time, it’s hard to beat going for a run or stopping into a local gym. The fitness tracking app Strava offers run route recommendations and lets you search other users’ routes. “It makes it so much easier when you’re in a new area,” Foxie said. You can search routes by landmarks you want to run by or avoid and even by run length. “Someone [on the app] has probably already routed it, and if not, you could route it and then it’s there for other people to use after you.”

Pierre tends to look for park gyms nearby his accommodations, while Foxie try to hit local gyms. (In our experience they’ll often sell you a day pass, especially if you make it clear you’re in from out of town.) “On Google Maps, I  look for boutique studios or gyms because the foot traffic is a bit lower,” he says.

Ultimately, the best way to stay in shape in a new place isn’t that different than finding a great plate of pasta in Milan or picking a beer in Munich—what do the locals like?