Andy Devaney
If your idea of holiday fitness tips involves lugging a kettlebell through airport security or doing burpees next to a sunlounger while your Aperol warms up, relax. You’re overthinking it.
According to Les Mills UK trainer and mum Katie Galbraith, all it takes is 20 minutes a day, a little know-how, and possibly a resistance band that fits in your shoe. That’s it. No Lycra parade required.
With the summer getaway season in full swing and airports resembling rugby scrums, staying active can feel about as appealing as wearing wool in Santorini.
But Galbraith says keeping up your movement routine doesn’t need a gym – or even a hotel fitness centre that smells like damp towels. All it takes is a sliver of space and a dash of intent.
“Just 20–30 minutes a day can keep you energised and balanced – no gym (or guilt) required,” Galbraith promises. That’s the kind of holiday fitness tip we can all get behind.
Hotel Room? Beach? Park Bench? You’re Covered
You don’t need much. Just a small area – hotel room, balcony, or even that weird corner next to the minibar – plus a device and, if you’re feeling fancy, a mat or band.
Apps like Les Mills On Demand let you stream workouts anywhere, even if you’re still digesting last night’s seafood pasta.
Travelling light? Sculpt Bands and Core Bands are small enough to slip in a carry-on, and Galbraith recommends a foldable workout mat for mobility, floorwork or Pilates sessions between sightseeing or sunbathing.
Here’s her no-nonsense holiday fitness toolkit:
- Sculpt Bands – For upper and lower body toning.
- Core Bands – For glute activation and core work.
- Foldable Workout Mat – So your spine doesn’t become best friends with ceramic tiles.
The Device-Free Hotel Workout
Left your charger at home? Don’t worry – Galbraith’s got a quick fix that doesn’t involve a screen:
3-round bodyweight blast:
- 15 banded squats
- 10 push-ups
- 30-second plank (add a Core Band if you’ve got one)
- 15 glute bridges
It’s straightforward, sweaty, and over before your partner has finished complaining about the room’s air conditioning.
Swipe, Stream, Sweat: Best Holiday Workouts
If you’ve got WiFi and 20 minutes, here are Galbraith’s go-to online sessions – zero gym, zero excuses.
Pilates
Low impact, core-burning, and good for sorting out your posture after hauling suitcases across cobbled streets. Perfect post-flight reset.
LES MILLS SHAPES
This sculpt-and-tone gem blends Pilates, barre, and yoga. No jumping, no fuss – just the good kind of burn.
LES MILLS BODYBALANCE
A yoga-inspired blend of stretches, breathing, and mindfulness. Ideal for unwinding or waking up without jolting your nervous system.
LES MILLS CORE
If you want a stronger midsection without the crunch-counting drama, these focused 20-minute sessions target the abs, glutes and lower back.
So, Do Holiday Workouts Actually Work?
Yes, and here’s why:
- Efficient: 20–30 minutes delivers noticeable results
- Equipment-free: Bodyweight is plenty
- Beginner-friendly: Modifications included
- Mood-boosting: Because moving beats moping
- Routine-saving: Keeps the momentum alive when you’re home
In Galbraith’s own words: “Whether you’re travelling solo, with family, or with friends, starting your day with a short workout can set the tone and leave you feeling refreshed and ready.”
And really, isn’t that what holidays are about? Coming home feeling better than when you left – not just heavier, sweatier, and more sunburned.
So take these holiday fitness tips, shove a band in your beach bag, and don’t let the gym guilt ruin your well-earned mojito.
