Workout Ideas for Digital Nomads

Meet Gregory, a writer and the brains behind Face Dragons. He's the go-to guy for getting things done. Gregory's been living the digital nomad life in Asia for as long as anyone can remember, helping clients smash their goals. He writes on topics like software, personal knowledge management (PKM), and personal development. When he's not writing, you'll catch him at the local MMA gym, nose buried in a book, or just chilling with the family.

When you travel a lot, one thing that can suffer is consistency when it comes to working out. A constantly changing schedule, new places, and an uncertainty of what equipment will be available are enough to derail even the most driven individual. So here are some workout ideas for digital nomads.

Finding a gym is an obvious option. If you have a good travel plan, you can check out nearby gyms ahead of time and even change accommodation bookings when it means being closer to a good gym. Having a bulletproof plan will not only keep you on track with your fitness goals but more productive in general. Setting up a GTD system has been the best thing for me to stay consistent in the gym.

But what can you do when you’re off the beaten track, and there isn’t a gym around?

  1. Yoga
  2. Jump Rope
  3. Juggling
  4. Tai Chi or Chi Kung
  5. Tabata
  6. Martial Arts
  7. Calisthenics
  8. Running

Yoga

Solid yoga practice is something everyone who wants to take care of their body should have. In a situation where you need to get in a workout and have no equipment, a yoga session can solve all your problems.

How long does it take?

A typical Yoga session lasts between 30-90 minutes.

Main Benefits

Flexibility

What resources are available?

Jump Rope

Skipping is what little girls do on the playground. Jump rope is what athletes looking for a good workout do. A rope is a hard workout in a small package, perfect if your traveling around and don’t want to carry too much.

How long does it take?

30 minutes of jump rope is enough for a good workout

Main Benefits

Cardio

What resources are available?

Juggling

Juggling is an often overlooked workout for digital nomads. It’s fun, and five balls don’t take up too much space in a suitcase.

How long does it take

30 minutes – 1 hour will give you a good workout

Main Benefits

Hand-Eye Coordination

What resources are available?

Tai Chi or Chi Kung

Learning a Tai Chi form may take some time initially, but once you know it by heart, you have a portable workout you can break out any time and anywhere you want.

How long does it take

Most Tai Chi forms take between 10-30 minutes to perform.

Main Benefits

Vitality

What resources are available?

Tabata

Tabata is a quick IIT workout for those who like it intense. A perfect workout for digital nomads!

How long does it take?

4 minutes

Main Benefits

Cardio

What Resources are available?

Martial Arts

A Martial arts workout, whether traditional forms or just shadow boxing, is an excellent workout idea for digital nomads, which doesn’t necessarily need much equipment. There are so many martial arts and techniques that the potential workouts are endless.

How long does it take?

30 minutes – 2 Hours depending on the intensity

Main Benefits

Self Defense

What resources are available?

Calisthenics

Body weight exercises are a great idea when you are out and about because you always have everything you need to work out.

How long does it take?

30 minutes – 1 hour

Main Benefits

Strength

What resources are available?

Running

Much like Calisthenics, you always have everything you need to go running and get in a good workout

How long does it take

30 minutes – 1 hour

Main Benefits

Cardio

What resources are available

No Excuses Now!

So next time you find yourself without a gym and in need of burning some calories, I hope these workout ideas for digital nomads are helpful!