Making the world your gym

It’s a given that anyone who travels gets his share of walking. You’re seeing the sights, checking out a neighborhood, and walking will likely take you through the most interesting nooks and be faster than waiting for public transportation. Chances are that walking is enough to keep your exercise bug at bay, but what if it’s not?

Other than hitting the gym or the natural landscape around you (surfing in Costa Rica, skiing in New Zealand), running is the obvious alternative. It’s free and available at any hour. It’s my own fall-back. Even though I couldn’t tell you all of the places that I’ve walked, I can easily remember the places that I’ve run—quite possibly because I needed the distraction from thinking about running itself.

Wherever you are abroad, there are websites that help track down a local place to:
Run: Run.com
Swim: SwimmersGuide.com
Practice yoga: International Yoga Centers Directory
Rent a bike: BikeAccess.net
Work out at an airport: AirportGyms.com

If you have any favorite alternatives to the gym while on the road, pass them along!