Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/72380
utilize a simple workout bench, carrying that exercise band, and doing body-weight exercises. It also means getting outside. "The first thing I do when I check in [to a hotel] is head outside for a brisk walk," Cathy says. The payoff? "I feel good where I am. I sleep better, and working out helps me de-stress." A little fear of facing the trainer upon her return doesn't hurt either. "I don't want to die when I get back," she laughs. IF ALL ELSE FAILS For WAC member Jeff Coopersmith, a busy criminal defense lawyer with frequent jaunts to several U.S. cities and Asia, an indestructible alarm clock and a fun set of wheels help him stay fit amid round-the-clock phone calls, court appearances, extra reading at night, and responsibilities as a husband and father of two teenage boys. He keeps a bike at his office in Palo Alto, Calif., and uses hotel stationary bikes when traveling. " Jeff balances his riding with running and weight training—WAC trainer Scott Spraggins has given him a variety of exercises to do outside the Club—and he never lets a lack of time or resources blow a workout. "If I don't work out in the morning, I have no chance to do so later," he says. "If all else fails, I will do 30 to 45 minutes of abs and push-ups in the hotel room. I just feel miserable all day if I don't get a workout in." He also uses travel to keep his routine interesting. For example, he recently ran a few laps around the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. According to John Colver, an award-winning coach and author of Fit by Nature, fresh air and a little creativity go a long way toward maintaining fitness on the road. A former British paratrooper, John quickly discovered that beach logs, craggy trails and push-ups in the barracks made fine stand-ins for treadmills, elliptical machines and workout benches. What's more, a sense of adventure is a great motivator. "By getting outside, you turn a fairly drab trip into a fun little adventure," John says. One of his clients has a different adventure for every city—a run across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and a beach workout in San Diego, for example—and another always schedules a Rocky victory march up the stairs outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art when she visits. The point is, John says, exercise doesn't need to be a chore. One of John's clients is WAC member Tony Hoskins, who keeps active on the road through circuit-training drills at nearby parks and by climbing stairs. The busy princi- pal at a digital marketing agency, husband, and father of a 6-year-old never lets excuses get in the way. "It's challenging to stay active on the road," he says. "Challenging. But not impossible." JUST 10 OR 20 MINUTES For Tony, setting goals also helps. "I have a dream for my son and I to climb to the top of Mount Rainier someday." SloBody Yoga founders and instructors Kirk Slobody and Janine Tiede frequently hear busy WAC members say they have "no time, no space, no place" to work out. Like others, Kirk and Janine say even a 10- to 20-minute workout can be very effective if done with consistency. Before completely neglecting your fitness routine on the road, take inspiration—and some good notes—from [these] fit folks, who manage to keep their minds and bodies in top form no matter where they are." "Sometimes a quick walk [or] some light stretching … is just what is needed to refresh, rejuvenate or help you settle," Janine says. As you can see, with a little creativity and commitment, even the busiest travelers can keep their fitness up and their weight down. JULY 2012 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | 27