Keeping up with a workout schedule while
in Queens is tough. Keeping up with a workout schedule while
living abroad will be even harder. The best way to stay in
shape while living “La dolce vita” is to start early and make it a
habit you just can’t kick!
Joining a
Gym
Depending on where you are studying
abroad, the affordability of joining a gym will vary drastically.
Gym memberships in Europe tend to be more expensive then gym costs
here in New York, especially when you take the exchange rate into
consideration. Finding a gym may also be difficult because certain
cultures do not put as much emphasis on going to the gym
as Americans tend to. The best recommendation we can make is
to bring the gym to you! Check out our helpful tips and
tricks for maintaining your pre-study abroad physique.
Things to Bring With You From
Home
- Elastic Bands
- Work-Out DVDs
- Jump Rope
- Inflatable Swiss Ball
- Backpack
- Deck of Cards
DIY
Workouts
While some of our suggestions may sound silly and
absurd, they actually do work!
- DIY Hand
Weights
Collect empty water bottles and detergent bottles and head
outside to collect small rocks that will fit into the mouth of the
bottle. Fill the bottles with as many rocks as you can and once
space runs out, fill the remaining space with water to increase the
weight. Make sure you seal the bottles with tape so you don’t have
any accidental spills, and voila! You have yourself some hand
weights!
- Backpacking
Squats!
Want to add some intensity to your squats workout? Empty
your backpack and fill it with as many of the handmade weights as
you can fit. Don’t have enough weights?! Not a problem! Not only
are cans of beans high in protein, they are also great for adding
weight to your work out! Once the backpack is filled, throw it on
your back and you just added intensity to your workout!
- Deck of Cards
Workout
Break out your deck of cards and assign each suit
a different exercise. For example, hearts are sit-ups, spades are
pushups, diamonds are squats, clubs are lunges and face cards are
jumping rope for a minute. Once every suit is assigned, begin
your workout by pulling the first card from the deck
until you've gone through all 52 cards.
- Run, Forrest
Run!
Take Jenny's advice. Running is the best way to keep off
the pounds while still shoveling in the irresistible foods you're
guaranteed to encounter. Depending on the country you are in, such
as France or Italy, locals find it odd to see people running on the
sidewalks or in the street. To avoid looking like the foreigner
that you are, run in a local park instead. Parks like Villa
Borghese and the Luxembourg Gardens are sure to give Central Park a
"run" for its money! Pun intended.