Too Busy to Get to the Gym During the Holidays?

Do you have a busy schedule? Are you on the go all the time? If you are like most of us, you have an intensely insane life . . . One that doesn’t give you any free time in the day to go to the gym and get the exercise you need, especially now that it is the holiday season.

Purchasing a bunch of exercise equipment so you can exercise at home is not necessarily the answer either. Exercise equipment can be very expensive, and you need lots of storage room to keep it-- something most of us just don’t have. Besides, you probably already have so much stuff in the house around the holidays (tree, presents, baked goodies), most of which you don't know what to do with. So adding extra exercise machines is not going to get you into that exercise routine you need . . . it’s just going to bring more "big stuff" into your home.

But this doesn't mean you can just forget about exercise either. You need to keep up with your good habits, even if you decide to "go home" for the holidays. What's the solution? Instead of buying big heavy equipment, you should think about investing in some easy portable fitness gear that you can use at home, or take with you to use during your holiday visit.

Portable Fitness

Portable fitness equipment has great advantages over larger exercise equipment because they can be easily folded down to a small size and they can pretty much go with you anywhere.  Once folded, they can be stored in a closet, under the bed, or in an unused room. In other words, they remain out of sight and out of the way until you need them. Not only does this help keep your home tidy, but it prevents your holiday guests from having to stumble over big clunky machines on their way to the bathroom in the middle of the night!

Before deciding on the type of portable fitness equipment you want to purchase, decide on the type of exercise you need it for, then look for gear that sets up and stores easily. Preferably, you want equipment that lets you do more than just a few exercises.

The other great advantage of portability (aside from storage) is that you can take this type of equipment with you . . . on a business trip, vacation or on that special holiday visit you´ve got planned. All you have to do is pack up your fitness equipment and catch that flight.  In fact, making your exercise equipment portable gives you the opportunity to start a great “holiday buddy workout club.”  This gets everyone you love involved in your new fitness program. It can be a great stress reliever and even keep those family arguments from arising.  Remember though, that if portability is your goal, you want equipment that is lightweight, fun to use, and that easily fits in the trunk of your car or suitcase.

However, this doesn't mean your fitness equipment has to be digital or even expensive.  Some people may just like the simplicity of a simple jump rope, hand or leg weights, or a great fitness DVD.  Yoga mats are easily portable, and there are many websites that offer free yoga instructions. These inexpensive items can work just as well as the equipment you’ll find at your gym. 

If traveling to an outdoor area, think of fitness equipment that will fit in a backpack, your truck, or the camper. Products like resistance cables or inflatable stability balls are some things you can use to workout wherever you are.  The important thing is that you find equipment that's fun to use, which you and anyone you are spending the holidays with can enjoy.