Physical fitness - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

horsepuppy · 09-14-2005, 01:41 PM

Not sure where to post this but I suppose this is a health issue...

I like to keep fairly active and I usually manage to do this when travelling as well (walking around to see the sights or hotel gyms).

My next trip (to Oz) will be more long-term and I'd like to find something a little more stable. I play and coach basketball at home...is bball big in Oz? Will my coaching credentials be ok over there?

I also try to have a proper "gym" workout a couple of times per week. Has anyone managed to stay motivated enough to do this while travelling?...I have a feeling I may be ambitious in thinking that I can keep up any sort of workout routine while away

!

Any advise on exercises/workouts that others have used while travelling would be great!

Cheers

**Tadpole** · 09-14-2005, 07:22 PM

The one thing i found difficult was eating enough portein. Meat is expensive and when you are on a tight budget, the expensive things tend to lighten up, including meat.

**blinkchick2134** · 09-14-2005, 07:37 PM

Plan a few treks out into the desert. If you're staying at a specific place for the length of your stay I'd say find a nice walking/jogging route that covers maybe the more interesting places of the town/city you're in. I'm not sure about the bball though, but I'm sure someone will know.

**space virgin** · 09-14-2005, 10:01 PM

Shit, I always come home from a trip feeling like I'm in better shape than when I left, and I work out regularly. *shrug*

danny · 09-15-2005, 04:38 AM

Quote:

is bball big in Oz? Will my coaching credentials be ok over there?

In short to answer your question no. Bball is one of the least played sports in Oz it probably is because we suck at it. However saying that if you are American you should do quite well coaching it over here but beware it will probably not be anything more than a part-time job with a local club or something your best place to try for this line of work is Sydney N.S.W as this is were the most basketball is played.

With keeping fit while travelling it all just depends on how motivated you are you could get quite aerobically fit but lose a lot of anaerobic fitness cause of the lack of regimented meal times and practically no weight work.

danny · 09-15-2005, 04:42 AM

Sorry i didn't realise you were Canadian untill i had already posted. Sorry once again

horsepuppy · 09-15-2005, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by blinkchick2134@Sep 14 2005, 09:37 PM
Plan a few treks out into the desert.* If you're staying at a specific place for the length of your stay I'd say find a nice walking/jogging route that covers maybe the more interesting places of the town/city you're in.* I'm not sure about the bball though, but I'm sure someone will know.

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Good idea! Thanks for the tip, I usually do this when travelling for business as well...gives me an excuse to get out and see whatever city I'm in

Is anyone into weights at all...not like crazy "can't lower my arms, no-neck" weights, just basic stuff? Just wondering what kind of facilities Oz hostels/local gyms might have (if any).

Quote:

Originally posted by danny@Sep 15 2005, 06:42 AM
Sorry i didn't realise you were Canadian untill i had already posted. Sorry once again

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No worries dude!

As long as there is somewhere to coach and shoot around a bit I'm in!

Cheers

**LiveFreeorDie** · 09-15-2005, 09:46 AM

I am a regular at the gym (not psychotic...but go 4 to 5 times a week). When traveling, I certainly don't maintain quite as regimented a routine, but still find it possible to get some workouts in. When I was in Oz last year, I managed to find a gym in Surfer's Paradise that I hit up. It was like going back in time. They had all these russian steel weights. It was pretty cool. Nothing like the foofy gyms that have taken over in the U.S....with their plastic coated weights, spray bottles at every station, rules against making noise, performing certain exercises, etc.

Anyway, I know they had gyms in Sydney (though I was only there a few days and didn't go). If you make an effort, you can generally find gyms almost anywhere (at least in larger population centers). In addition to Oz, I have found them in Taiwan and Thailand so far without a problem, and Asians generally are not much into the whole gym craze. As a last resort, you can always check with a local big hotel - most large hotels (especially major chains) have gyms...they are often a little weak, but certainly better than nothing. they wil usually let you use the gym for a nominal fee if you ask.

horsepuppy · 09-15-2005, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LiveFreeorDie@Sep 15 2005, 11:46 AM
As a last resort, you can always check with a local big hotel - most large hotels (especially major chains) have gyms...they are often a little weak, but certainly better than nothing.* they wil usually let you use the gym for a nominal fee if you ask.

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Sweet. I didn't think of that at all...glad I posted this.

Cheers!

**travelpunk** · 09-15-2005, 11:16 PM

On my first trip, I lost 9 lbs. in 4 weeks. It was due to all that walking that you'll find yourself doing as you move from city to city with your backpack, and all the day trips and exploring the cities that you're visitng throughout your travels.

The other thing that I did to keep the arms in some sort of shape was, while in room at the hostel, I would do "curls" by lifting up my 30lb-ish backpack by the top handle strap. Just stand there, lift up the pack from the top and do concentrated curls. 10 reps, 4 or 5 sets...or whatever you're comfortable with.

Likewise, you can work your shoulders too by lifting your pack up and down, to the front and or to the sides, keeping it fully straight without bending it.

Legs- Strap your pack on and do lunges. 10 reps, several sets...

Pushups, situps, jumping jacks, tricep dips, can be done in your room too...

Good luck!

**TheJake** · 09-16-2005, 01:03 AM

^what he said. Thats about all I do on my trips, along with the 40oz curls

horsepuppy · 09-16-2005, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheJake@Sep 16 2005, 03:03 AM
^what he said. Thats about all I do on my trips, along with the 40oz curls*

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LOL

Thanks all! I figure the glass-to-mouth curls will do wonders for the molson muscle...the 6-pack abs are out, I'm goin' for the nice rounded "keg" look.

Cheers

danny · 09-17-2005, 03:47 AM

There are heaps of gyms around Oz expect to pay between $10-$20AUD however for a session. All the major cities have them within walking distance from most of the hostels. Some hostels even have gyms at them so you won't get out of shape it just depends on your motivation level

chelseafc05 · 10-19-2005, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by danny@Sep 15 2005, 09:38 PM
In short to answer your question no. Bball is one of the least played sports in Oz it probably is because we suck at it. However saying that if you are American you should do quite well coaching it over here but beware it will probably not be anything more than a part-time job with a local club or something your best place to try for this line of work is Sydney N.S.W as this is were the most basketball is played.

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we arnt that bad at it

**mowark** · 10-19-2005, 10:10 PM

I've given this a lot of thought as well since I go to the gym 4 or 5 times a week. I know how frustrating it can be to see all your work go down the drain when you can't get to the gym to do a real workout. I'm planning an extended trip to Eastern Europe next year and I don't think there are many American style gyms there. Travelpunk had some good ideas that you could also expand on. There are plenty of isometric excercises you could do. My plan is to actually hire a trainer here in the states to show me a couple of good routines that I can do a few times a week with little or no equipment. I've talked to a couple of trainers and they seem optimistic that it can be done. Just an idea if you can afford it.

horsepuppy · 10-20-2005, 05:58 AM

^that's an awesome idea

...thanks Mo

**MolsonGirl** · 10-20-2005, 06:42 AM

LOL going for the nice rounded keg look huh? That'll be fun to see

horsepuppy · 10-20-2005, 07:14 AM

lol...even at my worst I'm not sure I could get to that point...I do believe I'm forever genetically destined to be all skinny and gangly...sigh, all my childhood hopes of competing in the Mr. Universe comp have been cruelly dashed

- curse you Mother Nature!!! lol

**elfmaiden** · 10-20-2005, 09:58 AM

Well I lost alot of weight on my trip too. Probably close to 15 lbs in the 6 weeks I was gone! I ate what I wanted, but some nights I was just too tired to go and eat anything much!! All the walking and infinite amount of stairs was a great work out! I'd imagine it's not very hard to stay fit while travelling.

**mowark** · 10-20-2005, 11:41 AM

Travelling is great cardio for sure. However, I think that what horsepuppy is saying is more along the lines of not wanting to lose weight. Proper diet is definitely a factor here. When you spend a good amount of time every week in the gym lifting weights it can be frustrating to see your muscle weight drop off because you can't lift. In this case it's an issue of not eating enough calories, or frequently enough, and actually too much cardio and not enough anaerobic workout.

And glad I could help horse. I'll be interested to see if it works out for you.