How to have 
an active vacation

If there’s one thing you have on holiday it’s time and given that having a ‘lack of time’ is one of the largest barriers when it comes to exercise, there is no excuse not to stay active on holiday. Make the most of the weather and get outdoors with these fun ideas to get moving in-between your time on the sun lounger.

1.Go for walks

One of the simplest forms of exercise is one of the most effective. The great thing about walking while on holidays is that you’re not limited to strolling by yourself around the local neighbourhood and rushing back in time for work. Go exploring! Discover new walking tracks, go on a hike in a national park or kick off your shoes and walk along the beach. Catching up with friends and enjoying family time over a walk is also a great way to avoid an indulgent lunch.

2. Make your dip active

Ditch the pool lounge and get active in the water this summer. Whether you’re at the beach or in the pool, there are plenty of high intensity cardio exercises to create an effective water workout. Try high-knee jogging on the spot, squat jumps or flutter kicks from the pool edge or even just swimming up and down will get the body moving and improve cardio fitness.

3. Discover an active hobby

Set yourself a goal to try something new these holidays. Enrol in surfing lessons, rent a stand-up paddleboard, or buy a pair of hiking boots and head up to the mountains. You never know, you might just discover a brand new hobby.

4. Cool off with the kids

Because, why not. Heck, sprinklers are fun. And there’s no rule that says Mum and Dad can’t have a kick-ass water gun fight too. Strip down to your swimmers, buy a 50 pack of water balloons and discover your inner child. It’s amazing how much this will get your blood pumping and your heart racing, which is always a good thing. The kids will love it too.

5. Take a beach day

If you’re not holidaying on the beach, then schedule a day to visit one. Enjoy a game of beach volleyball with the family, or go retro with Frisbee games. Pack a picnic with just enough food to satisfy everyone – it’s surprisingly easy to forget about food when it’s not right in front of you!

6. Go for a trail run

Even if you’re not a runner, going for a run in a new location will give you a boost. Instead of pounding the pavement, run on the beach or in the forest, as its way more interesting and the uneven terrain will work your muscles harder. Sand running will give you a great cardio workout as will going up and down on forest trails. 

The easy vacation workout

Give your vacation an added boost with a quick workout that you can do as a family. Our fitness expert Marie Kristensen gives us an easy routine that you can fit into your relaxing vacation schedule. Start with ten minutes working up to 20 minutes as you feel fitter.

Start with a warm-up, roll on your arms and shoulders, jog on the spot and stretch where you feel stiff. Spring on calves and thighs.

Then start by measuring a reasonable distance for running. 

(If the whole family wants to train together, adults can have one distance and children another.)

Start by running back and forth, three laps. When you have finished your three laps, do the following:

10 Bench dips

10 Jumping jacks

10 Bench push-ups

Then run two laps. When you have finished running, do the following:

10 Lunge with one foot on the bench (if you can)

10 Jumping jacks

10 Jumping squats

Then run one lap. When you have finished running, do the following:

10 Steps up on the bench (5 per leg)

10 Bench push-ups

10 Jumping squats

When you are done, start again and run the same set up until the time is up.