Exercising to Prepare for Vacation

In a previous article, we went over some of why it is important to be in shape to go on vacation.  Today, I am going to be a bit more specific about my own trip.  Here are a few times where my fitness level has enhanced my vacation engagement with my temporary environment.

Scuba Diving

I’ve been a certified scuba diver since college.  In the three decades since, when possible I like to do a couple of dives to immerse myself in the underwater scenery and activity.  Your fitness level plays an important part in how you enjoy your dives, from the simple to the essential.  In order to descend, you need to wear extra weights, courtesy of a weight belt.  Heavier people need more weight to get down. 

If you carry extra body weight, you could be looking at having to strap on 20-30 pounds around your waist.  It’s an ordeal picking it up, but also carrying it around.  This can also create issues with trying to find neutral buoyancy so you can relax and enjoy your dive.

Secondly, you need to be able to control your breathing.  If you are not prepared for the activity, you may increase your heart rate, thereby increasing your breathing rate.  Kicking around underwater for 30-45 minutes at depth is a workout. Heavier, faster breathing will shorten your dive as your tanks only have a limited supply of air.  Slow, controlled breathing will help you extend your dive so you can enjoy the dive site’s sights, sounds and colors.

Hiking

 When I pictured hiking the highest point on the island, I envisioned a rocky path, steep at times, leading to the top.  What I found was a boulder strewn, tree route grabbing climb full of natural, “staircases” all the way to the top.  I was not expecting a climb of this difficulty level.  Especially not on vacation.  Fortunately, my family is active regularly and each of us handled whatever the path presented us.  We could not have done this without having been regularly training, strength and cardiovascular. 

As our guides told us, many people turn back in the first 30 minutes of the two hour climb, because they cannot handle it.  All of our collective workouts paid off in a successful climb and descent.  Whether you train on your own or with a personal trainer, strength is essential to tackle life’s known and unexpected activities.

Zip lining

This is definitely for the thrill seeker and not for the faint of heart. Hanging from a rope may not be physically demanding, but it can be mentally taxing.  Plus, you want to know that you are physically ready and capable for the end of the zipline.  Lastly, ziplines have a weight limit.  You certainly don’t want to be disqualified from going because you are overweight.

Sightseeing

Even on a beach-centric vacation, it’s difficult not to go sightseeing.  You’re in a new place, new foods to try and new things to see and do.  At the very least, sightseeing requires walking.  Lots of walking.  Sometimes up stairs or hills.  Walking for hours can wear anyone out.  Even those in the best physical shape.  Of course, shoes are important, but you don’t want to be the person who needs to take a break on the closest bench while everyone else is ready to move on.  Train to walk long distances.

@neighborhoodtrainer