Unwinding on holiday doesn’t have to mean doing nothing. Use the time positively.
Many people feel holidays are a complete time to relax, and look at training as a chore while away, when in fact the benefits can give you great energy throughout the day. One of my favourite things to do on holidays is to train – it really focuses me and due to equipment limitations in hotels gyms or just different equipment I get to change up my routine.
Put it this way, it is the one time that you have plenty of time to do whatever you want, so if you happen to wake up before everyone else, hitting the gym for that weight or cardio session is the best way to start your day while on holidays.
There is no doubt that the sun can zap your energy and you may feel exhausted after a day out in the sun. Use the hottest part of the day as a way to get a break from the heat and refresh with training.
Go for an evening run when the sun is setting; it’s a great way to check out your surrounding area and check out places for dinner that might look great. It’s one thing I swear by on holidays, especially if you are off to a new destination that you haven’t been to before.
There is nothing quite like lounging in the pool when you get too hot. Next time take your goggles and complete a few laps, you will feel invigorated for it.
If you have bad habits, using your holiday time to break them can actually mean going home fitter and leaner with a fresh outlook and focus for training and eating healthily when you get home. Coming home fitter and leaner may not be as tough as you think.
Jack knife
- Start by lying on your back with your legs straight and your hands to the sides of your head.
- Then simply lift your head and shoulders off the floor while also bringing your knees in to your chest, allowing the knees to meet the elbows. Lower your back down to the start position and then repeat.
Curtsey Lunge and kick
- Start by standing straight with your feet hip-width apart.
- Step behind and across into a curtsey, lowering your body down towards the ground.
- Push off the front foot back to the start position, then kick the leg straight out to the side. Complete all reps on one side first.
Crossover push up
- Support your body on your toes and hands, with your elbows bent and your chest nearly touching the floor.
- Push up to a straight arm position.
- Move one hand across the other, crossing at the wrists.
- Move the other hand out and away, opening your hands again to shoulder-width apart.
- Lower your chest towards the floor, bending at the elbows.
Beginners perform on knees as shown.
Jack knife
- Start by lying on your back with your legs straight and your hands to the sides of your head.
- Then simply lift your head and shoulders off the floor while also bringing your knees in to your chest, allowing the knees to meet the elbows. Lower your back down to the start position and then repeat.
Burpee
- Start off in a press-up position.
- Then jump your knees into chest while keeping your hands on the floor.
- From a standing position, jump up with your hands in the air then return down and then jump feet back out to start position.
Return to start position.
