If you work as a travel nurse, you have the opportunity to see new places, meet new people and experience plenty of new things.
However, the fact that you’re always on the road makes sticking to a workout schedule as a travel nurse almost impossible. But, if you want to be a good nurse, you must pay attention to your health first and keep your body in top shape, even when traveling. Luckily, even though a bit hard, here are 6 simple travel nurse workouts that you might not have thought of.
Simple Travel Nurse Workouts
Rent a bike
Renting a bicycle is a great way to stay in shape and save some time. Bicycling is a simple solution to adding to your travel nurse workout. You can always catch a bus or subway to work, but you can also hop on a bike and do your workout while commuting! Today, most cities are super bike-friendly, which makes riding safe, simple, and pleasant to get in a workout. And, before you know it, your blood will be pumping, and you’re going to feel your activity in your leg muscles as well as your core and arms. Plus, opting for a bike is eco-friendly, so you’ll also be doing something great for the environment.
Join a local gym
If you’re staying at the same spot for more than a few weeks, why not use that downtime to join a gym? Even though sticking to a gym schedule with a nurse job can be tricky (many medical workers have a membership that never gets used), the benefits are great. You’ll have dozens of machines at your disposal and even private trainers to guide your progress. There are also weekly spin classes and other programs you can try out.
Explore your destination on foot
There’s no better way to explore all those great new destinations than on your own two feet. You can not only check out famous tourist sites but also find useful locations. Supermarkets, farmers’ markets, and other stores and facilities in the neighborhood are useful for travel nurses. Getting in a simple travel nurse workout in the process is a bonus. Grabbing groceries on foot will add some extra weight to your back and give you a better workout. If you often suffer from pain in the feet stopping you from taking long walks, make sure to get a diagnosis and grab some comfy shoes and socks. Once your condition is out of your way, you can rely on your feet to stay in top shape!
Meet new people at a sports club
It’s quite easy to meet people for various sports activities no matter where you are. If you love to hike, you can join a hiking group for weekend adventures, or if you enjoy a dynamic game of soccer, there’s probably an amateur club you can join. If you hit the park, you can often find outdoor yoga sessions that will make you break a sweat. All in all, there are plenty of activities out there that can help you keep up with your fitness routine and meet new like-minded people.
Spy on the locals
Every region has its signature sport or hobby activity. For instance, Australians love surfing, Americans are into mountain biking, and Canadians love to hit the mountains for a hike. See what locals love to do on weekends and pick up their hobbies. Who knows, they might become your fave new travel nurse workout routine!
Exercise in the comfort of your accommodation
If you’re super tired of people when you get home from work, you don’t even have to go out to get good exercise. Try climbing the stairs in your hotel for a quick killer cardio, or set aside a few minutes to do planks or wall sits. You can even pack some light travel workout equipment like a jumping rope, travel weights (that you fill with water), or resistance bands. These will provide you with good cardio and strength training straight from your room. Additionally, if you have a smartphone, a laptop, or a tablet, you can find hundreds of great exercise tutorials on YouTube you can do in 20 minutes or less. From stress-relief yoga to core workouts and flexibility exercises, you can find practically any type of workout!
No Excuses
Now that you know how simple it is to find time and place for your travel nurse workouts, there are no excuses.
However, staying truly healthy also includes eating clean. Ordering a takeout after a hard shift or checking out that new bakery might be tempting, but cooking for yourself might be the best way to stay fit. Additionally, no matter how busy you are, try to sleep regularly since sleep deprivation can contribute to weight gain and can ruin your hard work at the gym. You can also limit the intake of sugary drinks, alcohol, and junk food. Constant travel can take a toll on your healthy lifestyle habits, but once you get the hang of the job, you’ll be able to stay healthy and fit no matter where your work takes you.
You might also Like:
- How Travel Nurses Can Maintain a Healthy and Affordable Diet
- 10 Healthy Meal Planning Tips For Travel Nurses
- A Mat and Two Dumbbells; Easy Exercises for Travel Nurses
Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?
