I’ve worked with personal trainers and fitness experts to tailor my fitness routine to meet my specific preferences and fitness goals so whenever I travel, I can keep my routine. I always bring portable fitness equipment to maintain my regiment without worrying about finding a gym or a class. Personal trainer and co-owner of Strong Friends Gym in San Francisco, Julia Seward Gambogi says that “when it comes to workouts, finding something you can do consistently is key and portable workout equipment that you can bring with you is a great way to stay on track and build strength – no matter where you are in the world.”
From virtual workouts to top-quality yoga mats, pilates balls, and resistance bands for strength training, we’ve rounded up the best portable exercise equipment you can bring with you wherever you go.
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This mat has a slightly sticky feel, which enhances grip and prevents sliding, even when sweaty, but not all users will like that stickiness.
We found that the Aeromat Elite Pilates/Yoga Mat is one of the most high-quality mats for the sweatiest and most intense workouts. Made with closed-cell foam, this mat is extra durable and resilient for any type of vigorous exercise. If you’re looking for a thicker mat with superior cushioning, this is an ideal option to provide more support for your joints. Despite its thickness, it is lightweight and easy to roll up, making it convenient for travel and storage without taking up too much space.
There are two common styles of resistance bands and I prefer using these longer loop bands by Gaiam versus wider and thinner resistance bands. “Longer loop resistance bands are best for upper body exercises, such as banded rows, lat pulldowns, and straight-arm pulldowns,” Seward Gambogi says. “You can also use them for more isolated arm exercises like bicep curls and tricep kickbacks. These exercises don’t require much space, so you can do them in a hotel room or at an airport without making much noise.” These long-loop resistance bands benefit stretching and upper-body workouts because they provide a broader range of motion — making it easier to do deeper stretches and full-arm movements. I regularly use all three bands with varied resistance levels because they have greatly helped strengthen and tone my shoulders and arms.
This MoveActive pilates ball comes with me on every trip; it inflates and deflates in seconds and flattens very thinly, making it convenient to pack in any bag. I am an avid pilates and barre fan and have been doing mat pilates and barre exercises at home for years. I treat myself to a reformer classes every now and then, but I really enjoy doing pilates classes at home and when I travel so I can target certain areas, such as my abs.
One of the most versatile and effective equipment I use is the MoveActive pilates ball especially for core and ab workouts and it has never lost it’s shape or density. Adding the pilates ball to my workouts add an extra challenge to ab exercises, engaging more muscle fibers for a more intense workout. “Using a pilates ball is really great to hold between your legs, so you engage your inner thigh and hip muscles, which can help with a much deeper core engagement,” Seward Gambogi adds.
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Its digital handles connect to an app, helping you stay motivated by counting jumps and tracking calories burned, making it convenient to stay on top of your fitness goals.
Personally, I am not a fan of running or cardio machines, so jump roping is one of my favorite ways to get my cardio in and quickly break a sweat. This jump rope by Wigore is convenient to bring in any suitcase or duffel bag. With updated tech features, it is simple to set up, high quality, and durable, helping you keep track of your jumps and calories burned. The main handle has a built-in motor that vibrates to alert you on things such as reaching your goal number or when time is up.
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Some workouts require more space for movements like kicks, punches, and arm swings, so make sure you have enough room if you’re in a hotel.
For a fully immersive and virtual experience, Meta Quest 3 has a variety of exercises, workout classes, and even meditation settings, bringing the gym to the comfort of your own space — whether it’s a hotel room or home rental. The Meta Quest 3 fitness apps include five interactive studios with hundreds of on-demand classes, adding new ones each week including boxing, dancing, sculp, combat, and HIIT classes. Options such as their Xponential+ gives you the ability to exercise in stunning VR locations around the world, and the apps connected to studio classes bring favorites like PureBarre and Rumble to you in any city or country you’re in.
These Bala Bangles are the perfect addition to bring with you on your upcoming trip and/or for your regular routine. These stylish weights make it simple to add weight for strength training or to enhance your fitness goals and can be worn on your wrists or ankles — providing flexibility no matter where you are. We found that these are simple to put on, taking less than 10 seconds to strap onto your ankles or wrists. You can even wear them to the airport as they are great for walking around the terminal and are discreet enough to wear under a jacket or pants.
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We found that this tool is a bit heavy, so the CastleFlexx might be best for those who frequently exercise and/or are traveling somewhere where they may not have access to a gym or stretching machine.
The CastleFlexx stretching tool is a high-quality, advanced version of traditional stretching aids, designed to relieve tension throughout your entire body. Unlike most tools that focus primarily on the lower body, the CastleFlexx offers deep stretching for both upper and lower body muscles (which is perfect post-flight). Available in various sizes, it accommodates individuals of different heights, ensuring inclusivity. Using this tool can help release tightness and tension in your legs and hips, promoting greater mobility and alleviating lower back discomfort — ideal to use after a long day of traveling.
Other Products You May Need
If you have an upcoming trip planned and want to stay on top of your fitness routine while taking care of yourself with plenty of walking and sightseeing, here are a few items you may be interested in.
Hydro Flask 24 Ounce Wide Mouth Water Bottle: Keep your water and drinks refreshingly cold with Hydro Flask’s insulated stainless steel water bottle. Designed to be compact and portable, it’s perfect for travel and I love how the slim design fits easily into my personal item bag when I’m traveling — making it a convenient companion for any excursion.
Hyperice Hypersphere Go – Vibrating Massage Ball: The Hyperice Hypersphere Mini is a fantastic and effective travel companion for keeping up with your fitness routine. Its compact size makes it easy to pack, and their powerful vibrations help relieve muscle tension and soreness after long flights or active days exploring. This is a must when I travel, especially for my legs and lower back area. You can use it for quick, effective muscle recovery sessions, ensuring you stay on track with your fitness goals while enjoying your travels.
Tips for Buying Portable Fitness Gear
Only pack what you plan to use
When preparing for a trip, it’s essential to pack exercise items that are compact and ones you actually use in your regular workouts. Avoid buying portable workout equipment if you rarely use them at home, as you’re unlikely to use them on your trip. Keep it simple by bringing gear that seamlessly fits into your routine, ensuring you stay motivated and consistent.
Look for multi-purpose items
Only pack what you plan to use, focusing on the essentials to avoid unnecessary weight. Consider multi-purpose items such as jump ropes or resistance bands, which are convenient to bring on your trip and allow for a variety of exercises. This way, you’ll be able to maintain your fitness regimen without being burdened by heavy, unused equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What home exercise works the whole body?
Seward Gambogi recommends doing planks and squats as one of the best home exercises to work the entire body with or without at-home equipment. “Planking works the whole core and the shoulders,” she says. “And for more intensity, you can add a pilates ball between the knees and squeeze to increase deeper core engagement. Try to hold between 30-60 seconds for 3-4 rounds.” When it comes to squats, they’re a great at-home workout that can work the whole body because they work and activate the glutes, thighs, and hips. “If you add loops and booty bands around your knees while doing squats, it can increase glute activation and build knee strength. Try sets of 10 to 15 reps for 3-4 sets,” Seward Gambogi adds.
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What is the most versatile piece of portable exercise equipment?
Seward Gambogi recommends the jump rope as one of the most versatile pieces of exercise equipment because ”the jump rope is an affordable and space-efficient way to add a light cardio component to your workout. It complements strength training with resistance bands and benefits coordination, joint and ligament strength, heart health, and overall cardio fitness.”
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How can you stay fit while traveling?
Seward Gambogi suggests focusing on short, space-efficient workouts using portable equipment to stay fit while traveling. She emphasizes the importance of walking to explore the destination and staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water. “It’s important to get your steps in while exploring the beautiful places you visit,” she says. “When it comes to food and nutrition, enjoy the local cuisine, but always stay hydrated and include vegetables in your meals. Most importantly, don’t worry about taking some time off of your routine — it won’t mean a lot in the long run. What matters most is that you enjoy yourself.”
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
For this article, writer Donna Kim, a frequent traveler and shopping expert, researched and tested a variety of at-home and portable workout equipment to round up the best options for travelers. She also spoke with personal trainer and co-owner of Strong Friends Gym, Julia Seward Gambogi.
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