Section 4: BUSY LIFE
Exercise Equipment “To Go”
If you’re busy but want to integrate exercise into your daily routine, hauling around a treadmill could give you a serious back injury, besides looking just plain stupid. I'm referring to portable equipment that you can take with you to the office, keep in the trunk of your car, or pack into your suitcase:
* elastic bands (see video below)
* a regular bath towel
* light dumb bells
* jump rope
* inflatable Swiss balls (the small ones)
* an exercise audio book, video or DVD that you can play in your hotel room
* Yoga mat.
* Meditation or relaxation music tapes handy.
* Exercise tubes with handles (to increase muscle strength) and bow tie exerciser (increases upper body strength).
The choices in other portable exercise tools are impressive:
* The Ankle Tough Rehab System is a set of straps made of heavy-duty elastic, and are cut and stitched to make 2 straps that fit over shoes or bare feet. Set comes with 4 different resistance straps for light, medium, strong and tough resistance levels. Comes also with exercise manual.1
* Weighted Vest – a gadget to help you add resistance to your workout. Vest is weight-adjustable with each weight packet weighing approximately0.75 lbs, and its one size fits all feature makes it deal for both men and women. Steel shot packets conform to the body, and weight adjustments range from 0.75 lbs. to 20 lbs.
* Squat Bars - a portable exercise gadget that is lightweight. The bars improve grip strength and upper body strength, and allow oscillation movements for neuromuscular and balance training.
Squat Bar
Keep in mind that the squat bar won't do a damn bit of good under your bed or in the corner of your office. You do have to pick it up and use it for it to work.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Buyer Beware!
There are some exercise aids that have been specifically marketed to walkers – things like weighted shoes to add resistance while jogging or brisk-walking. Before you dole out your cash to buy exercise accessories, speak to a fitness trainer or orthopedist first. Some products can be just commercial hype. This article on www.walking.about.com can shed some light on the subject.
If you’re going cross-country driving and the trip will take about 12-15 hours, schedule hourly stops so you can perform some stretching exercises, or go for a 15-minute walk in the neighborhood. Exercising will energize you, diminishing your need for frequent cups of coffee and relieve eye strain.
Using a Pedometer
This is a beeper-sized device that you clip to your waistband. It measures walking and running distance in steps and miles. Some models are more sophisticated and equipped with measuring features for pace, total exercise time and calories burned.
A pedometer could motivate you to walk during airport or train layovers because you’ll know how much ground you’ve covered and will encourage you to aim for a longer distance on your next trip.
Always Carry…
Always have the following items with you as you travel:
• comfortable shoes
• padlock
• foldable, light gym bag
• quick dry clothing
Keep these in your suitcase at all times so you don’t waste time looking for them and re-packing them. A busy individual like you need not be unencumbered by exercise paraphernalia that you’re hunting for just before taking a flight!
Visit Exercise Equipment for People on the Go for More Portable Equipment Ideas.