Websites and tips to help you stay healthy and workout during a flight delay or airport layover
If you are looking for ways to get in your daily workout while you are stuck at the airport during a flight delay or layover, we've got a few tips and websites that can help.
One website that can help is airportgyms.com, which as the name implies, gives you a listing of gyms, fitness centers and health clubs in and around airports. Unfortunately, virtually all of the health clubs are outside of airport security, although a number are on the airport grounds, either within the airport terminal itself (Las Vegas McCarran International Airport) or in a hotel on the the airport grounds. Many require a short cab ride. These health clubs may be great options for you if you have a few hours between flights - just remember to allow enough time to get back through security!
A recent article on FoxNews.com also gives some tips for staying in shape while waiting at the airport. They recommend drinking water instead of caffeinated, alcoholic or sugar-filled beverages, doing exercises that don't require equipment and make use of ordinary things around you, and also list some exercises that you can do while standing around or in your airport or airplane seat.
We at eXpect delaYs get our airport workouts by always walking from our car to the terminal rather than taking the shuttle buses, and briskly walking around the airport between flights. Likewise, if you take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator, you can get your legs and heart a little "pumped". If you believe that your carry-on luggage is really meant to be "carried-on" rather than rolled-on, then you can get a pretty good workout walking around with it, particularly if it is a backpack strapped to your back. Just make sure the weight is reasonably balanced so you don't suffer a back injury. A backpack with extra support straps to go across your chest or waist provide much better support than strap-only models.
Definitely choose what you eat and drink carefully. We agree with FoxNews.com about drinking water, and always have a bottle with us. If you are lucky enough to get a first class seat, always remember to ask for an extra bottle of water to take with you, particularly if you are in coach on your next flight and you don't enjoy paying the airport concessionaires or airlines $3 for a bottle of water. Be careful of what you choose to eat. Most of the major airports these days have some healthy alternatives. You can usually find a salad (but watch the dressing!) or some fruit for sale for a healthy meal or snack. We also always pack along some protein bars and fruit or sandwiches so we know what we are eating and don't get "forced" into putting something down our gullets that we wouldn't normally ingest. Don't get me wrong, I like the airport cocktail and burger (or McDonalds steak and egg bagel) as much as the next guy, but I try to mix in some healthy stuff, too!
Remember, if you eXpect delaYs, you can beat them! (and even make them healthy! ;-) )
Happy travels!
- Gus
