3 Simple Exercises To Stay Fit On The Road | I Heart RVing

I Heart RVing

Especially after spending hour after hour on the road, it’s easy want to stay sedentary even after arriving at your destination. Unfortunately, if you don’t move it, you lose it. And, it’s vital to keep your body active to maintain overall health, boost energy levels, and prevent discomfort. Regular movement improves circulation, reduces stress, and keeps your muscles and joints flexible. Fortunately, movement doesn’t need to take a lot of time or equipment. Several simple body-weight exercises are designed for limited space in or outside of your RV. Give these a try to prevent
stiffness and energize your body and mind!

1 Standing Marches:

Standing up straight and tall with your feet about hip-distance apart, lift your knees up to hip level and march in place, allowing your arms to swing naturally. Turn on some tunes to help you find your rhythm for between 1 and 5 minutes (or longer if it feels good). This is a great way to get your blood flowing and warm up your muscles. It can also help improve balance and coordination.

2 Chair Squats:

Standing in front of a stable, sturdy chair with your feet about hip-width apart, take in a deep breath, roll your shoulders back, and then, as you let out your breath, bend at the knees and push your rear end back as you slowly lower your body down as if you’re going to sit in the chair. Just before you touch the seat, take a breath in and push through your heels to return to standing. Repeat for 10 to 15 repetitions. This simple movement helps strengthen your legs and glutes while engaging your core. It’s also good for improving lower body strength and stability.

3 Wall Pushups:

After sitting in the captain’s (or passenger) seat for a couple of hours, your shoulders and back can round, making your back and neck feel tight and stiff. You don’t have to get into a standard pushup position to help stretch and strengthen your chest, shoulders, upper back, and triceps. Find an open wall inside or outside of your RV. Stand a few feet away from the RV and place your hands against the RV with your arms straight and your feet another step behind you so that your body is at an angle. Bend your elbows to bring your chest toward the wall, focusing on bringing your shoulder blades together as you stretch your shoulders and chest.

Once your forehead is nearly touching the wall, push your body back up. Perform 10 to 15 repetitions. As a bonus, wall pushups are easier on the joints than traditional pushups and can be performed by almost anyone of any fitness level. Yet they’re still great for targeting the muscles in the upper body. You can also vary the width of your hand placement to place more emphasis on your chest (with your hands wider) or your triceps (with your hands closer).

Staying active on the road doesn’t have to be complicated. You can do simple exercises like those above, enjoy some stress-relieving yoga moves, or get out for a hike or bike ride. Remember,
even a few minutes of movement can make a big difference in how you feel, which can help you enjoy your RV adventures to the fullest. So, take a break, get the blood flowing, and keep moving.