Who says that staying in shape has to go out the window when you’re traveling? The energizing effects of starting off each day of your vacation with a quick 15-20 minute pick-me-up workout will have you enjoying the escape even more. Staying active while away requires nothing more than 15 to 20 minutes and two light, inexpensive and easily packable tools: a jump rope and an elastic resistance band.
We’ve made things easy for you! Toss your jump rope and elastic band in your bag (together they weigh less than 7 ounces!), follow this workout created and demonstrated by iGnite founder Neissa Springmann three times per week (resting at least one day between workouts), and you’re good to go.
Repeat Exercises #1-5 three times with 30 seconds of rest between each exercise.
Total Time: 15-20 minutes
Exercise #1: Jumping Rope 1 minute
Form: Stay light and on your toes
Benefits: Great cardiovascular exercise that works all muscles
Don’t have a jump rope? Jumping jacks are a great alternative.
Exercise #2: Push-Up 1 Set of 10-15
Form: Position arms wide at a 90 degree angle, chest falls between arms, tighten core and firm glutes to protect the lower back and look at the tip of your mat (don’t allow your head to droop). To decrease difficulty, drop to knees.
Benefits: Works chest, arms and core (when tightening the abdominals)
Exercise #3: Squat to Shoulder Press 1 Set of 20
Form: While holding the handles of the resistance band, stand with feet hip width distance apart (6 -12 in.) on your resistance band. Squat, while keeping weight in the heels, eyes forward and chest open. Come to standing while pressing the resistance bands above the head and firming the glutes. For less resistance, alternate arms.
Benefits: Works glutes, quads, hamstrings and shoulders.
Exercise #4: Plank 30 seconds – 1 minute
Form: Position body so shoulders and elbows are in alignment. Look slightly forward while pulling shoulders away from your ears, firming glutes and pulling abdominals up and in. If lower back bothers you, lift glutes higher or drop to your knees.
Benefits: Works all core muscles (abdominals and lower back) and shoulders.
Exercise #5: Alternating Lunge 1 Set of 20 (10 each leg)
Form: Start standing tall and looking forward. Step one leg out in front, making sure the ankle and knee are in alignment, with the back leg bent and the heel lifted up toward the sky. With a strong core and eyes forward, push off the front leg and come to standing again, to then alternate legs.
Benefits: Works glutes, hamstrings and quads.