Staying active while traveling can be a challenge. Sometimes it’s easy to get stuck in a typical vacation grind of sleeping in, laying on the beach and drinking Piña coladas all day. Sure that sounds like a great vacation, but wouldn’t you be happier if you were able to squeeze in a fun workout in between your Piña colada and your pool time?
I’m not talking about getting up at 6am on vacation and running on a treadmill in a little hotel gym (let’s get real, that’s just not too appealing to anyone on vaca!), I’m talking about doing FUN activities on vacation where you may not even realize you got a great workout in at the end of it.
When I travel with my family, we always try to do at least some type of exercise each day. Sometimes this calls for a morning run on the beach, weight lifting in the gym or an afternoon hike. It’s always a good idea to find out what type of fitness activities can be found around your vacation destination. Some destinations are a bit more “fit friendly” than others but you can always make it work! Get creative and Live Life Active!
Before you leave for vacation, do a quick search online to see what activities are offered near your destination. You may be surprised at how many things you can do to get your heart rate up that are FUN too. You will even be able to drag those stubborn teenagers out of bed for these!
After researching popular vacation destinations, I’ve decided on my favorite fit city which offers a TON of fun opportunities to stay fit while traveling.
My Pick: Las Vegas
Yes, Las Vegas made my #1 pick. Yes, there is more to do in Las Vegas than gamble and drink!!!!
I have not tried these but I hope to in the future! I think Vegas is calling my name. Can you hear it?
Aria Hotel Hike – Take a hike INSIDE the Aria Resort. When it’s hotter than heck outside, take your hike inside instead. The Spa at Aria has a 60-minute indoor hike/art walk since that costs $50.
You will meet at the Spa at Aria fitness center and receive a shoulder bag containing a bottle of water, hand weights and a yoga mat for stretching. You’ll venture out on your hike with your tour guide who will point out some fine art throughout your hike and also happens to be your personal trainer for the day as well. You’ll get a lot of walking and stair climbing in so be prepared to get your heart rate up! It’s not just cardio either, you’ll find yourself participating in short strength-building exercises at various stops throughout the hike such as push-ups, squats, dips and lunges. The idea is to target the same muscles you would target on an actual hike.
What better way to get to know your hotel than a HIKE through it!
Organized Races (5ks, 10ks or marathons)-
There are always organized races occurring in Las Vegas. If you’re interested in doing a 5k, 10k or even a full marathon on the strip, you are in luck.
Here are a few of my favorite fun runs that take place in Vegas. Some are just as crazy sounding as Vegas itself.
Wear white and leave rainbow colored. This fun run is fun for all ages!
A Vegas-style run! The Poker Run is a lap race around Kellogg-Zaher Park: runners receive a card after completion of each lap, and the best hand wins! The 10K is 5 laps for the best 5-card stud hand; The 2.5M is 2 laps, and the best Blackjack hand wins. Runners may elect to “hit” by running additional laps and trying to improve their hand.
The Poker Run 12 Hour is a relaxed, customizable event that allows runners to select whatever distance they want, comprised of laps run on a 1.25-mile paved loop surrounding Kellogg-Zaher Park.
A night time run in Vegas? Sign me up! Maybe you’ll pass a bunch of party animals on your way.
GlowRun features an illuminated, nighttime environment that blends fitness, entertainment, art and the culture of Downtown Las Vegas. Racers are encouraged to walk, run or dance through the 5K course in their most elaborate and colorful costumes before being welcomed to the AfterGlow party at the finish line.
Relive your childhood by running this 55k through sprinklers, misty tunnels, super soaking squirt gun zones, water cannon blasts and the ice pop stop. The only way to finish this race off correctly is by ending with a slip and slide finish line.
I want to do this one!!!
For many more races, a detailed calendar of runs can be found HERE.
Channel Your Inner Sexy
If you don’t like the idea of an organized run, you can channel your inner sexy and try out a burlesque dance class through X Burlesque University at the Flamingo. Taught by the same sexy dancers who perform in the adult revue “X Burlesque,” you will learn the ins and outs of being a Las Vegas showgirl in this 75-minute class, plus you’ll take home a complimentary makeup kit and a souvenir photo.
Yoga Among The Dolphins
Who wouldn’t want to do yoga with the dolphins? Your yoga class actually takes place in an indoor viewing area underneath the water at the Mirage.
While you nail your poses, the dolphins get to watch you and play from the other side of the window.
(Image source)
If these ideas aren’t enough to spark your interest in the Las Vegas fitness world, check out a TON of other fitness ideas on the Vegas blog.
What do you like to do to stay fit while traveling? Leave a comment below! I’d love to hear from you!
