Maintaining a workout routine

[graycurlsvanning]

So I am fairly nuts about wanting to move everyday in some way or another. I used to be really insane as an avid runner, triathlete, biker, swimmer etc, but now that I am older and wiser, and injured from all that stuff -- I still love to do something. I walk, have a mini trampoline, a step and do yoga/ meditation. I do have a mountain bike also but I am not sure if I would bring it with me. Obviously some of this equipment is a no go in a van! But how do you all manage to keep up a routine for those of you who do? Here are some photos of my pre-dawn walk today. Look closely for the water monster!!

 

[bullfrog]

That is why living on the road is a process, you either make room for what you want, go with a vehicle/setup that has more space or substitute something you can make dual purpose effectively using 1/2 the space. Canned food for weights, folding electric bicycles and stool/steps. Even temporary gym membership try outs are dual purpose as many use them for personal hygiene.

 

[graycurlsvanning]

I've read a gym membership is valuable for showering anyway But yes, I do understand that I would have to prioritize. I am petite, so maybe I will be able to play around with my space in such a way as to be able to fit some things in. A yoga mat is a must. Thanks for your help.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I average walking about 5 miles a day. Having a beagle helps motivate me to walk on 'icky' days. Some days I carry a weighted day pack for added exercise, others I carry weighted walking sticks or wear weighted bracelets.

Stretching can be done anywhere you can stand up. Use your van to work against if nothing else is available.

Joining a national chain gym works if they are in places you frequent. Otherwise basic gravity exercises (pushups, setups, etc.) can be done in small spaces. Stretch bands for resistance workouts weigh little and take little space to store.

Bicycle storage/aggrivation vs. utility is something you need to decide for yourself. I don't take one because of the dog.

 

[RoamerRV428]

nuts also to move everyday. default is a long walk with tiny jog time in there or some extra ya know and then it is about what I can do on the road where I land at. Kayak. real mt hike. long long beach miles hike, swim at all times for recreation and movement included and I 'just do me' as it hits where I am on the road. So do that.....just do you movement is simple, walk. after that you need more you gear your nomad adventure drives at bigger prospects in that you need land near a big mt. Hike the big incline trails. Just do what ya wanna do for you now after that nothing matters on 'what we do' for us, just do you on this one!

I don't think movement as we need in our personal day is hard at any time....just do what ya want and fee great doing LOL

 

[graycurlsvanning]

I average walking about 5 miles a day. Having a beagle helps motivate me to walk on 'icky' days. Some days I carry a weighted day pack for added exercise, others I carry weighted walking sticks or wear weighted bracelets.

Stretching can be done anywhere you can stand up. Use your van to work against if nothing else is available.

Joining a national chain gym works if they are in places you frequent. Otherwise basic gravity exercises (pushups, setups, etc.) can be done in small spaces. Stretch bands for resistance workouts weigh little and take little space to store.

Bicycle storage/aggrivation vs. utility is something you need to decide for yourself. I don't take one because of the dog.

Hi!

I have had dogs all my life (including a beagle mix), and just said goodbye to my old pup this past December. A very sad day and I haven't been sure that I can go through it again to be honest as they are my best friends and most wonderful companions, but gone too soon. But, that being said, this new idea has renewed the thought that maybe a dog might be not only wonderful, but useful in a myriad of ways. I want to explore it more and that will for sure be a post. For exercise yes certainly and safety too. I love your other ideas, so thanks!!

 

[graycurlsvanning]

Absolutely. I totally agree. Just have to get out of my OCD mindset. Will I ever??? Haha

 

[graycurlsvanning]

nuts also to move everyday. default is a long walk with tiny jog time in there or some extra ya know and then it is about what I can do on the road where I land at. Kayak. real mt hike. long long beach miles hike, swim at all times for recreation and movement included and I 'just do me' as it hits where I am on the road. So do that.....just do you movement is simple, walk. after that you need more you gear your nomad adventure drives at bigger prospects in that you need land near a big mt. Hike the big incline trails. Just do what ya wanna do for you now after that nothing matters on 'what we do' for us, just do you on this one!

I don't think movement as we need in our personal day is hard at any time....just do what ya want and fee great doing LOL

I am hoping to go to places where I can hike and walk. If I have a gym membership then I can always take advantage of that now and again, and not just for the shower I will undoubtedly need! I know I will figure out ways to move and keep up a healthy routine and lifestyle because it has always been a part of my life.

 

[StacyK]

I second the resistance bands. No weight to carry, easy peasy to store.

Re: a mat: I set up my van so that the “narrow twin” (30” wide) bed runs lengthwise, which leaves an aisle that’s plenty wide and long for an exercise mat. I have an extra-thick mat, which I “store” flat in place under the throw rug so that it serves the dual purpose of giving me warmer feet generally.

 

[Morgana]

I have twice had resistance bands break on me -- it was a good brand too, not some cheap thing, and I had taken care of them properly. After that I gave it up as too risky. It seems a pity, as they are definitely easy to transport and you can get a good workout from them.

 

[StacyK]

^^^ Wow. Good to know, Morgana. Thanks.

 

[graycurlsvanning]

I second the resistance bands. No weight to carry, easy peasy to store.

Re: a mat: I set up my van so that the “narrow twin” (30” wide) bed runs lengthwise, which leaves an aisle that’s plenty wide and long for an exercise mat. I have an extra-thick mat, which I “store” flat in place under the throw rug so that it serves the dual purpose of giving me warmer feet generally.

Yes definitely planned on resistance bands and my yoga mat for sure. Figured the mat could store easily, like you said, underneath something (a mattress?) Or as you suggested. I am short, so I too thought I may have some play with my bed! Thanks for the suggestions <3

 

[graycurlsvanning]

I have twice had resistance bands break on me -- it was a good brand too, not some cheap thing, and I had taken care of them properly. After that I gave it up as too risky. It seems a pity, as they are definitely easy to transport and you can get a good workout from them.

I got a set of 3 at Walmart and so far they have been ok although recently I noticed a small hole starting in one. These are hand ones.

 

[Morgana]

OK, check me on this, I could be wrong, but I think that if you already see damage you should stop using it right away. The danger is that it can snap suddenly under pressure and zap you hard enough to injure. But don't just take my word for it; it was several years ago that I looked into all this.

 

[graycurlsvanning]

Ok thanks. That does make sense for sure. This one is a very wide and thick one (the series of them) and I don't put a ton of tension on them honestly. But I have inadvertently let go by accident and had them snap back. Ouch!

 

[D'L]

I never liked resistance bands. seems like a great idea in theory - not so great in practice!

I used to life weights daily, so I would just take weights with me. I didn't take as heavy as I used at home so as to minimize overall vehicle weight, but doing more reps with lower weights still keeps you in fine shape. I also did hatha yoga seriously at one time. I would even set up in one of the picnic areas of a rest stop and do my workout. Maybe not an hour but even 15 minutes is a lot better than nothing and if you start out in reasonably good shape from doing a routine you like, all you need to do is maintain it. I didn't care if someone stared. It was too boring for anyone to watch for very long.

These days I don't lift any more so my exercise is more along the lines of long walks or, preferably, hiking, (Dog comes in handy here!) and stretches, which are very important. When going over the road I always stop every 2 hours without fail and stretch at least my legs and back. I don't do aerobics due to the impact aspect, but if you do then you can always do jumping jacks. You can always find a place to do pushups, again even if it is in a rest area.

I think it's important first to like what you do and feel good about it or you won't do it often enough. And, start getting into a routine long before you head out or you won't find the impulse to work out on the road. Don't plan to start it once you are out there because you very likely won't do it.

 

[graycurlsvanning]

I have kept a routine for over 40 years. The idea of not keeping it panics me (yes I have anxiety too, which my athletic routine helps). That is why I love hearing everyone's thoughts about it. I think stopping frequently has to be a must as you suggest. I don't think my back would have it any other way at my age. And I am sure I will be able to bring my yoga mat (I don't care what folks think) because my yoga and meditation keep me sane. I actually picture myself doing yoga in some pretty cool places (I hope!). And walking/hiking too!! I don't use my bands too much and I do have light weights that I use to help my bones. I refuse medication. Thanks for the great suggestions and support.

 

[Dingfelder]

I like resistance bands a lot, but the heavier they get, the bigger, and to get any granularity in your resistance choices, they can eventually wind up taking up a lot of space. The flexibility in their use, if you're a creative thinker on how to use your body, is unparalleled, though. The big ones can even be used with handles for deadlifts!

I'm not sure how to describe what might be an even better alternative, but there are canvas strap apparatuses that you can hook onto something and use like a pulley system with your own body weight. You can hook them on/loop them around trees, or to the top of your door, or a car bumper, etc, and do a virtually unlimited set of exercises with a piece of equipment that compresses into just a bag. If you have a sufficiently strong roof support(I've seen some build these into their vans on videos), you can even hang them from inside your van and begin to do things like pull-ups, etc. The TRX system is a well-known one, and I got one that was a cheaper brand but no longer available. You can use these to stretch, too. If you want something lightweight, flexible, and that goes into a small container, I don't think you can do better than that sort of equipment. There are usually courses and such on how to use that sort of thing best, but like with stretch bands, there's almost no limit to what you can do if you can use your body sensibly and creatively, everything from endurance and stretching to HIIT.

 

[RVTravel]

There was a congressman who was put in the hospital some years ago because of a snapped band that hit him in the face and maybe eye.

I have twice had resistance bands break on me -- it was a good brand too, not some cheap thing, and I had taken care of them properly. After that I gave it up as too risky. It seems a pity, as they are definitely easy to transport and you can get a good workout from them.

 

[graycurlsvanning]

I like resistance bands a lot, but the heavier they get, the bigger, and to get any granularity in your resistance choices, they can eventually wind up taking up a lot of space. The flexibility in their use, if you're a creative thinker on how to use your body, is unparalleled, though. The big ones can even be used with handles for deadlifts!

I'm not sure how to describe what might be an even better alternative, but there are canvas strap apparatuses that you can hook onto something and use like a pulley system with your own body weight. You can hook them on/loop them around trees, or to the top of your door, or a car bumper, etc, and do a virtually unlimited set of exercises with a piece of equipment that compresses into just a bag. If you have a sufficiently strong roof support(I've seen some build these into their vans on videos), you can even hang them from inside your van and begin to do things like pull-ups, etc. The TRX system is a well-known one, and I got one that was a cheaper brand but no longer available. You can use these to stretch, too. If you want something lightweight, flexible, and that goes into a small container, I don't think you can do better than that sort of equipment. There are usually courses and such on how to use that sort of thing best, but like with stretch bands, there's almost no limit to what you can do if you can use your body sensibly and creatively, everything from endurance and stretching to HIIT.

Wow I have never heard of some of these brands before. Worth checking out. I do use videos also for my step. I think being creative is key! Thanks.