10 Fitness Products You Need When Traveling
Sports Illustrated aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
The products featured in this article have been independently reviewed. When you buy something through the retail links on this page, we may earn commission at no cost to you, the reader. Sports Illustrated editorial staff are not involved in the creation of this content. Learn more here.
When the world shut down, studies show that many people started working out. One survey of 12,913 people conducted on behalf of RunRepeat found that people who worked out just one to two times per week pre-pandemic increased their efforts by 88% in March 2020. Those who said they used to exercise three times per week exercised 38% more.
An analysis of big data, including Google searches, also showed increased interest in physical activity during the pandemic. For the first two weeks of the lockdown, searches for “exercise” surpassed searches for “television show.”
As life slowly returns to normal and people begin traveling for business and pleasure, however, sticking to a fitness routine can be challenging. Fitness centers and pools in hotels may still be closed or restricted. Or, after nearly two years of working out at home, you may not be comfortable exercising in public. Another RunRepeat study found that 46.67% of gym members won’t return to their health club once it re-opens.
Fortunately, the pandemic brought some amazing innovations and developments in at-home fitness gear, as well as portable equipment that you can take on the road. From twists on old favorites like resistance bands to high-tech smartwatches designed to help you keep tabs on your health and fitness, here’s some of the year’s best fitness gear you’ll want to pack for your next trip.
Ready-Set-Sculpt Resistance Bands ($14.95; amazon.com)
Resistance bands are a proven way to burn fat and build muscle from anywhere. We like this set from Ready, Set, Sculpt because they come in a handy drawstring travel pouch and feature fun, motivational sayings on each brightly colored band. The bands come in five different resistance levels and each is clearly labeled from light to heavy.
Kayezen Vector 45 ($495; kayezen.com)
While resistance bands can provide a full-body workout, some people want to add a little more heft to their exercise routine. That’s where the Kayezen Vector comes in. The Vector combines the functionality of resistance bands, dumbbells and kettle bells in one TSA-compliant, 20-inch piece of workout gear. The Vector 45 has a 45-inch pull range so you can work out even in tight spaces. Adjust resistance from 10 to 100 lbs. to create a workout that’s right for you.
Capelli Sport Ab Wheel ($12.99; olympiasports.net)
If you’re looking to fine-tune your abs and further strengthen your core, an Ab Wheel is a great tool. Lightweight and affordable, the Capelli Sport Ab Wheel is a must-have for your suitcase or carry-on bag. (Yes, it’s that light!) The foam handles make it easy on your hands while providing a no-slip surface.
Plankpad PRO Interactive Bodyweight Trainer ($74.30, originally $129; amazon.com)
If you’re looking for a core workout that even beginners can master, the PlankPad PRO delivers on every level. These sleek, lightweight board is a plank trainer that doubles as a balance board. Best of all, it gamifies your workout with an app featuring 10 free games and eight workouts, plus additional games you can purchase in the app. You can also synch the Plankpad to a smart TV and do wobble board workouts on a bigger screen. Weighing just over 5 pounds, the Plankpad is easy to toss in the car if you’re going on a road trip and can even fit conveniently in your luggage.
Capelli Sport Portable Tricep Crunch ($27.99; olympiasports.net)
In the past decade, Capelli Sport moved beyond just soccer (European football) wear and equipment to deliver some innovative at-home fitness gear and twists on favorite equipment.
In addition to their compact and affordable Ab Wheel, the company developed the Portable Tricep Crunch. The machine – if you want to call it that – hooks easily to the top of the closet rod in your hotel room or over any door to deliver a gym workout on the road. It’s lightweight and streamlined to fit easily in a suitcase, carry-on bag or even a backpack. Three different levels of resistance tubing allow you to customize the workout to your capabilities.
Bala Bangle Weights Bracelets ($49; athleta.com)
Weighted workout bracelets are one of the newest fitness trends. A stylish throwback to the wrist and ankle weights we used during aerobics classes in the ‘80s, workout bracelets are functional, flexible, and fashionable.
Wear these 1 lb. bracelets to ramp up any workout or wear them all day to burn more calories and tone your muscles while you’re walking or performing everyday activities.
Aurora Athletica Workout Towels ($14.90; amazon.com)
In the wise words of Douglas Adams, a good traveler always has their towel. And, here in 2022, travelers also want to know their towel is clean and germ-free. That’s where the Aurora Athletica line of workout towels comes in.
Made from 100% organic cotton, these sweat towels are infused with silver to inhibit bacterial growth and reduce odors. That means they don’t need to be washed as frequently, which is good for the environment while saving time for busy travelers.
Mat Online Pilates Classes ($49.99; onlinepilatesclasses.com)
While many people prefer workout gear for a full-body workout on the road – it’s not always necessary. Mat Online Pilates Classes deliver 38 workouts o2n a deck of 4 flashcards, in the order recommended by Joseph Pilates, inventor of the low-impact exercise.
The deck’s creator, Pilates instructor Lesley Logan, says the cards are “like having a portable Pilates studio in the palm of your hand.” Each card includes a QR code that takes you to a video showing the exercise so you can make sure you’re using the proper form. You can do as many – or as few – exercises as you want in one session. These cards are small enough to toss in the tiniest of carry-ons, so there’s really no excuse not to work out while you’re on the road.
Fitbit Versa 3 Smartwatch ($177.98, originally $229.95; amazon.com)
When you’re working out on the go, a smartwatch or other fitness wearable is just the tool to keep track of your progress, steps, heart rate and more. With the launch of the Versa 3, Fitbit has updated its flagship smartwatch to include features like a built-in GPS for real-time pace and distance tracking even if your smartwatch isn’t connected to your phone, compatibility with both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, and a built-in mic and speaker. It features a slightly larger screen size than its predecessor, the Versa 2, plus upgraded resolution of 336 x 336.
With enhanced mindfulness features and an updated heart rate algorithm to accompany the multi-path HR sensor, the Versa 3 is your ideal travel companion for workouts (or work!) on the go. Our favorite feature? The 12-minute fast-charging, which means you can use your Fitbit nearly every minute of the day and night, so you don’t miss a beat… or a step… or even a snore.
AmazFit PowerBuds Pro ($149.99; us.amazfit.com)
Good health and fitness on the road doesn’t just mean regular workouts. It can mean relaxing in silence on the plane while listening to your favorite music, being able to take stress-free voice and video calls where you can hear every word your colleague says, and even maintaining proper posture at the desk in your hotel room.
The Amazfit PowerBuds Pro Bluetooth earbuds deliver all this functionality and more, including the ability to track your running pace or step count, or your time, speed and distance when you’re cycling. You can even get real-time, on-demand audio updates of your progress.
Related Post: The Top Workout Earbuds for Your Fitness Routine
When you don’t have access to a gym on the road, these top fitness items let you bring the gym with you.
Prices are accurate and items in stock at time of publishing.