Exercise and Pilates on Holiday – Yes or No?!

For me it’s a time to relax, have a break from the usual routine and switch off from a busy schedule.  However, it’s also about having some ‘me’ time and I like to come back at the end a holiday feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. I want to feel rested but feel like I have more energy again, so for me it’s about finding the right balance. It’s a real treat for me to have some time for a little self-practice and do more of my other passion as well which is running. We are lucky enough to visit some lovely places and for me there is nothing better than practicing Pilates outdoors in the fresh air and running in beautiful surroundings. I like to exercise in the mornings which leaves the rest of the day for different but equally restful and enjoyable activities, such as reading, going to the beach, sightseeing, or eating out.

Should we or shouldn’t we?!

Most of us do like to over-indulge with food and drink on holiday so perhaps more reason to also find a way of exercising…otherwise we might go home not as healthy as when we first arrived!

Exercise and Pilates are a good way to get some alone time, some calm and stress relief before joining the crowds! It may be that at home you want to exercise more but feel that you don’t have time. Therefore, getting into a routine on holiday could be a great way to get you motivated and kick start a good one. You might just find that you make more effort to make time on your return then.

If you enjoy exercise, then there’s no reason not to keep it up on holiday as that’s what holidays are all about…enjoyment!

It may be that you feel in need of a complete rest though, and it’s important to do what feels right for you. Our culture does make you feel the need to burn calories to enjoy more treats! It may be that you do it because you think you should and not because you enjoy it… and after all holidays are about doing things we enjoy and make us happy, so I guess it’s fine to have some time off too. 

But there’s still no getting away from the fact that exercise is great for us and is important! It’s not a good idea to sit or lie around doing nothing. Our bodies are designed to move, and movement is good for us. As Joseph Pilates famously quoted ‘By all means, never fail to get all the sunshine and fresh air you can.’ but he also said that ‘Change happens through movement and movement heals.’

3 Tips to keep you exercising while on holiday

1. Take advantage of the local activities on offer and maybe try something new. There are often a variety of outdoor activities such as walking tours, cycling or you may prefer water sports such as kayaking, swimming, or paddle boarding perhaps?
2. Pack some kit. That way there’s no excuse! Take an iPad or Laptop as there are so many on-line and on-demand exercise classes out there. A towel on the beach or grass would be fine. You don’t even need a mat…
3. Visit the hotel gym if it has one. Just 20 mins on the treadmill or cross trainer will help you improve how you feel and if you can follow this by a dip in the pool, you’ll feel even better!

Conclusion

Try and find a balance. Surely, it’s nice to have the best of both worlds!

Mixing up some cardio work such as walking, swimming or water sports with some Pilates stretching and relaxation exercises would be the perfect combination, so why not take me with you as practicing Pilates on holiday can be very relaxing.

Try my On-demand Pilates Video Subscription service on your summer holiday this year! A towel on the beach or grass would be fine. You don’t even need a mat… It starts with a 14 Day FREE Trial and can be cancelled anytime so no excuses and nothing to lose!

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