Fitness is important for a huge number of reasons. However, many travelers find that it’s difficult to maintain physical fitness while on the road. Much of this is due to limited space, while a lack of routine is also a contributing factor. Still, staying active and in shape is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle, meaning those who live on the road or travel on extended road trips often must find ways around these issues.

Fortunately, there are many ways to get exercise while traveling full-time. Most are less than traditional, and some require a bit of research, but they do work, meaning you can stay in shape even while living the mobile lifestyle of your dreams.

Here are our top tips for staying fit and active while traveling in your RV.

Hike, Walk or Run

When you’re out exploring the world, it’s easy to get in a good walk or run. There are fabulous trails all across the country, and whether you prefer a flat, paved option for jogging or something a bit more challenging for hiking, there’s something for you. Try making a game of it by setting a goal to find a trail everywhere you stop.

Ride a Bike

Another great option is to ride a bike. You can find trails for biking as well, or you could try using biking as your main mode of transportation when camped in towns and cities.

Of course, this will require finding a decent bike rack and ensuring it’s secured properly. There are plenty of options out there, including this rack that goes over a hitch, as well as front racks, roof racks, truck bed racks, and, of course bumper racks.

(It’s important to note that bike racks should never be secured to factory trailer bumpers, as the bumpers aren’t strong enough to support the weight of a loaded rack and often fail, leaving your bikes and bumper on the road.)

Use the Campground Pool

Many campgrounds come equipped with swimming pools. Take advantage of those by using the pool to get some exercise. In most cases, the pool will be a bit more crowded in the afternoons, so try going in the mornings or evenings so you have room to swim laps or do some water aerobics.

Take Advantage of Campground Gyms

Gyms are another amenity offered by many campgrounds. While you can’t count on gyms always being available, and certain things will vary from gym to gym—like the equipment provided, the cleanliness, and the overall quality—they are a good resource to put to use when you can.

Watch for Campground Activities

Yet another option found in many campgrounds are the organized exercise classes and clubs. In some cases, these come in the form of line-dancing clubs or yoga sessions. Other times there will be water aerobics classes or walking clubs.

Take advantage of whatever is being offered and make your exercise a social engagement that you look forward to.

Look for City Events

If you find that exercising with others is what works well for you, it might be helpful to know that many small towns also offer “drop-in” exercise classes or clubs. In some cases these are free, and in others, you will have to pay a small fee. They might include yoga in the park, biking clubs, or other outdoor exercise activities.

Take a Digital Class

Need something more routine to keep yourself motivated? A digital exercise class might be the tool you need. These include activities such as yoga and dance, and maybe prerecorded or can be done using video call services such as Zoom.

If you need to work on your own time, the prerecorded options are best. Meanwhile, group video chat classes are ideal for those who need accountability.

Get a Gym Membership

Finally, there is the option of investing in a gym membership. Many people don’t realize it’s possible to use a gym membership regularly while traveling full-time, but it is.

The trick is to choose a gym chain that offers admission to all gyms within that chain, regardless of where you signed up. Some great options include Planet Fitness and Gold’s Gym. Just make sure you get the correct type of membership.

By using these tips and tricks, you should be able to stay active and fit without much trouble at all. In fact, in some cases, you might even find that your exercise enhances your travels by motivating you to get out and see more nature trails along your route and encouraging you to attend group events and make new friends.

About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.

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