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Giselle Castro-Sloboda Fitness and Nutrition Writer
I'm a Fitness & Nutrition writer for CNET who enjoys reviewing the latest fitness gadgets, testing out activewear and sneakers, as well as debunking wellness myths. On my spare time I enjoy cooking new recipes, going for a scenic run, hitting the weight room, or binge-watching many TV shows at once. I am a former personal trainer and still enjoy learning and brushing up on my training knowledge from time to time. I've had my wellness and lifestyle content published in various online publications such as: Women's Health, Shape, Healthline, Popsugar and more.
Expertise Fitness and Wellness
If you want to stick to your fitness goals but travel a lot, it can be hard to keep to your regimen. Whether you have a home gym, a small workout space or use a fitness app or subscription, you don’t have to give up your workout altogether. Fortunately, it’s easy to continue a fitness routine while on the road if you have the right neccessities on hand.
Below, we rounded up some of our favorite travel workout equipment, which won’t take up too much space in your carry-on or gym bag and will keep you on track.
The Best Portable and Travel-Friendly Fitness Equipment of 2024
A jump rope is a good way to get in some cardio, whether you take your workout outdoors, in your hotel room or at the gym. It doesn’t take up much space, it’s cheap and can be easily thrown into your gym bag or suitcase. If your goal is to master jump rope moves, you can also take things up a notch by following a jump rope-specific workout program like the Elite Jumps app that you can access anywhere.
If you want to take your core exercises up a notch without the fancy equipment, then you’ll want a pair of core sliders. This minimalist piece of equipment comes in different shapes, but it's flat and dual-sided, with one side made out of plastic for easy sliding on carpeting, while the other is made of a cushioned foam intended to glide around on hard surfaces like wood floors. I’ve been able to pack these easily into my carry-on while traveling and my gym bag. Some of my favorite exercises to do with core sliders include mountain climbers, pikes, knee-ins and hamstring curls.
A suspension trainer like the TRX offers a full-body workout without too much setup involved. The TRX comes with an anchor that can be used outdoors, fastened to a fence or tree or indoors placed behind a door. The TRX comes with two straps, so it's easy to pack while traveling or if you have a home gym. I’ve been able to carry a TRX with me to a gym that doesn’t have one as well as to the park. I like that you can practice inverted rows, pull-ups, push-ups, ab exercises, squatting and even single-leg exercises with this one tool.
If you’ve been working on your upper body strength and want to continue working on pull-ups while you’re traveling, then a portable set of pull-up grips can come in handy. This Jayflex CrossGrips Compact Pull-Up Bar can be carried with you during your travels or for home use. These grips are easily set up on a door frame that measures 4.5 inches to 7.5 inches wide and 2 to 4 inches tall. Unlike other pull-up bars that are placed over the door, this style has individual handles, so you can set them as close or far apart as you like. They can also be used for push-ups, tricep dips and more. Jayflex also includes a tote bag, which lets you easily carry the CrossGrips wherever you go.
You can’t go wrong with a pair of resistance bands. There are longer and shorter resistance bands, depending on the exercises you plan on doing with them. The longer ones are better for upper-body exercises, whereas the mini resistance bands are better for leg exercises. If you want to take these with you on the go, it’s best to get a set that has light, medium and heavy options.
Instead of worrying about rolling up and carrying a standard-sized yoga mat, a travel-sized yoga mat is the way to go. A travel yoga mat folds into a small size, allowing it to fit in your backpack or suitcase if you’re traveling without having to worry about the obtrusive size once it's rolled up. A travel yoga mat lets you practice yoga, Pilates or any other mat exercises anywhere. Even if you work out in a hotel gym, you will feel more hygienic using your own yoga mat.
If you enjoy running to explore a new city or if it’s your preferred form of exercise, it’s helpful to have a running belt on hand. A running belt will help keep your keys, smartphone and energy gels stored safely in one place while you run. The best part is running belts don’t take up much space and can be useful for other activities. The SPIbelt is a lightweight, bounce-free running belt with a zippered pocket to keep all your belongings together.
If you’re on the go and looking to soothe your muscles, having a foam roller on hand can help. Unlike most foam rollers that are not portable, the Grace Mobot Foam Roller is compact and doubles as a stainless steel water bottle. CNET named it the best travel foam roller. It’s made out of EVA foam and comes in different colors and patterns. For a small foam roller, it is firm with grooves and bumps that are perfect to dig into even the toughest knots.
If you are a runner, packing your favorite pair of running shoes helps keep you motivated to exercise even while traveling. CNET’s top running shoe pick is the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12, because of how well-cushioned and supportive they are – especially if you like to run mid or long distances. These shoes are also comfortable enough to walk in, so they’re ideal if you’re sightseeing. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the ideal running shoe will vary based on your needs, so we recommend getting yourself fitted professionally for a pair.
The Best Portable and Travel-Friendly Fitness Equipment of 2024
| Fitness Equipment | Size | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jump Rope, Tangle-Free Rapid Speed Jumping Rope Cable | 1.97-inches x 4.72-inches x 7.09-inches | 0.39 pounds | $8 |
| Exercise Core Sliders, Dual Sided Exercise Gliding Discs | 7-inches x 7-inches x 0.51-inches | 0.5 pounds | $9 |
| TRX Suspension Trainer | 53-inches x 2-inches | 2 pounds | $140 |
| Jayflex CrossGrips Compact Pull Up Bar | 7-inches x 10-inches x 3-inches | 4.3 pounds/ Weight limit: 250 pounds | $120 |
| Rogue Tube Bands | Elastic length- 48 inches | N/A | $75 |
| Perform Better First Place Mini Bands | 9-inches x 2-inches | N/A | $6 |
| Gaiam Yoga Mat - Folding Travel Fitness & Exercise Mat | 68-inches x 24-inches x 2-inches | 2 pounds | $25 |
| SPIbelt Large Pocket Running Belt for Women Men, Phone Holder for Running | 8-inches x 2-inches x 4-inches | 1.6 ounces | $27 |
| Grace Mobot Foam Roller | 11-inches by 3-inches | 0.85 pounds | $55 |
| New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12 | 12.7 x 7.9 x 4.5 inches | 8.3 ounces | $170 |
The workouts you do while traveling will depend on what equipment you have access to and your preferences. Going for a run or walk is a nice way to explore a new city or if you have access to a hotel gym, you have more options. Bodyweight workouts are easy to do anywhere – even if you don’t have a gym. Workouts you can do in a hotel gym include weight training with the equipment available to you or practicing interval training on a treadmill, rowing machine or exercise bike. If you bring your own equipment, like resistance bands, a jump rope and core sliders, you can complete a full-body workout.
If you’re working out in a different location quite regularly, it’s a good idea to come up with an easy-to-follow routine no matter where you are.
Make time to stretch
If you’re in a car, plane, bus or train for long periods of time, it’s important to stretch.
Hydrate
It’s important to hydrate even while traveling. If you’re flying on an airplane, staying hydrated is especially important because cabins usually have low humidity levels. If you’re planning on being active during your trip, it’s helpful to keep a reusable water bottle on hand.
Practice safety first
If you are traveling alone, with a partner or friend and plan on going for a run or walk, it’s important to always notify someone of your whereabouts. You may want to keep the noise-cancelling headphones at home and opt for a pair like the Shokz Open Fit, which leave your ears open for safety reasons if you’re out on a walk, run or bike ride.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
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