Whether you’re on a travel ball youth team or regularly traveling around the state with your collegiate program, you’re one of millions of athletes who are on the road a lot because of your sport. All this travel also means that you won’t always have access to your home gym or your team facilities, so you may need to find some creative ways to get your workouts in while you’re on the road. In today’s blog, we share some tips on how the traveling athlete can keep their training on track while they are on the road, with a special emphasis on ankle and foot-specific training.
Exercising During The Travel Season
We want you to still be able to get your workout in even when you’re on the road, but it won’t always be easy. However, if you keep these tips in mind, we’re confident that your ankles, feet and whole body will be able to find a way to stay active on the road.
1. Ditch The Equipment – You may have to get a little creative when it comes to your workout routine if you don’t have access to your normal equipment. Consider developing an equipment-free workout routine that involves exercises like wall sits, planks, squats and lunges so that you can exercise anywhere with just a few feet of space.
2. Pack Your Own Gear – You probably can’t fit your bench press bar and your weights in your travel bag, but there are small pieces of workout equipment that you can take with you on the road to aid in training and recovery. Resistance bands, jump ropes, foam rollers and theraguns are all small pieces of equipment that can make it much easier for you to follow through with a workout or promote tissue recovery after a hard day on the road.
3. Focus On Your Recovery – Part of keeping your training on track while you’re on the road is helping your body recover after a long day of travel and activity. Give your body the fuel it needs to recharge and repair itself. Eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water and make it a point to try and get at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep each night so that your body is ready to attack the next day.
4. Learn About Local Facilities – It’s also easier to keep your training on track if you do a little research about facilities in the area where you’re staying. Perhaps there is a gym nearby, or the hotel you’re staying at has a fitness center that’s open certain hours of the day. Do a Google search for nearby gyms or facilities where you can perform your fitness routine.
5. Pack The Right Shoes – Finally, make sure that you pack extra shoes for your travels so that you can get your feet out of a tight track shoe or a less-supportive baseball cleat when you’re done with your activity. Pack the right shoes for your travel activities and try to get your feet in a comfortable and supportive shoe if you’ll be on your feet for an extended period. This helps to limit the stress and strain on your feet when they are already likely being stressed quite a bit by your travel schedule.