Question: When I take a business trip or vacation, do I really need to workout or is it better to take a break and start back fresh when I return?

Breaks can be very functional in your fitness routine but it can take so much effort to establish a good workout routine. Trips for business or vacation can unfortunately end up derailing all that hard work!

The key: don't ditch your workout schedule completely. Think about a change being as good as a rest. Don't expect to maintain the same workout or intensity but keep a block of time in your day dedicated to exercise. By keeping just five to ten minutes of intentional activity in your day, you'll give yourself a valuable physical break and you'll make it much easier to resume your regular workout routine when you get home.

Question: When I travel I have the best of intentions to workout, but I find it tough to motivate myself when I'm away from my regular gym and routine. Any suggestions?

One of the best ways to overcome the challenge of turning your intentions into actions is to be prepared! Try these "four fitness fixes" to push past that procrastination!

- Dress for fitness. Pack your favourite fitness clothes. If you dress the part, you'll feel more in the mood for exercise.

- Motivate with music. Music can very quickly change your mood and inspire you to move. Travel with music on an mp3 player, cd and/or on your computer. Put your favourites at the top of your playlist.

- Go with a plan. Ask ahead if the hotel has a gym. If not, take a workout outline and/or some travel equipment with you. Just three to five exercises will help you keep the sense of your routine.

- Try 10. Commit to just 10 minutes each day. That will at least help you maintain your routine and you may up extending that once you get moving.

Question: If the hotel doesn't have a gym or fitness centre, how can I workout?

There are great, portable fitness tools you can easily pack to use in a gym or your hotel room. They're light, inexpensive and easy to use and can truly give you a total body workout.

Here are some of my favourite tools for exercising on the road. All of these products can be used and effective whether you're a beginner or at an advanced fitness level.

Tip...If you're not already working out, having that quiet time in your hotel room might be the perfect.

For complete workouts using this equipment:

1. Resistance Band

Bands have been around for a long time for a good reason -- they work!

Description:

  • Stretchy bands with handles
  • Come in varying strengths and resistance, typically dictated by colour
  • Cost - bands range from $8-$15 depending on their resistance

Where to buy?

2. Door Anchor

This product is tougher to find but is carried by some fitness stores along with resistance bands.

Description:

  • Has a roller or knob that anchors in a door jam with a loop to thread a resistance band through
  • Once in a door jam, can be used for an endless number of exercises much like a pulley machine
  • Cost: very reasonable between $5-$10

Where to buy?

  • Amazon.com
  • Some fitness stores

3. Bender Ball

This is a very new product on the market and although it looks like a simple, small ball, is designed very specifically to cover various exercises and uses.

Description:

  • Small green ball specifically designed to be safe, molding the body and does not slip
  • Tested for up to 300 lbs of weight
  • Flattens completely, blows up easily in 4-6 breathes; no weight
  • Exercises are safe, credible and well-designed; programming and DVD's available
  • Cost: $15

Where to buy?

  • -Exclusively in Canada online at www.benderball.ca
  • -Ordering from the U.S. supplier will enter you into an infomercial zone

4. Gliders

We used to use paper plates for these exercises but this product makes it safer and easier.

Description:

  • Small purple discs that slide along the floor
  • Two designs - one for flooring and one for carpet
  • Flat like paper plates; no weight
  • Exercises are safe, credible and well-designed; programming and DVD's available
  • Cost: $20 per set

Where to buy?