Staying active while you travel sounds simple, until you try to do it in a city you do not know. You do not want a monthly membership for a few days, the gym websites are often in another language, and walk-in prices can be steep. So a lot of people just skip their workouts while they are away.
It does not have to be that way. There are a handful of reliable ways to access a gym abroad, and once you know them, staying on track is easy. Here is how to find a gym while traveling, and a simple way we have made it easier.
Ways to access a gym when you travel
The right option depends on how long you are staying and the kind of workout you want.
Hotel and Airbnb gyms are the easiest to reach, but they are often small and short on equipment. Fine for a quick session, less so for a serious one.
Walk-in day passes are the most flexible choice. Most gyms let you train for a single day, though you often have to call ahead, prices vary, and the option is rarely advertised online.
Short memberships only make sense for longer stays, and many still tie you into a contract or a joining fee you will not get the value out of.
Gym pass platforms bundle access to lots of gyms in one place. They can be handy, though some charge a monthly fee or ask you to create an account before you can even look around.
What to look for in a gym abroad
A couple of quick checks save you a wasted trip. Look at recent photos to see the equipment and how busy it gets. Check the opening hours, since some gyms abroad close in the afternoon or keep shorter hours on weekends. And confirm the day pass price before you go, so there are no surprises at the door.
An easier way to find a gym abroad
This is the part our team built. We're on the road a lot ourselves, and we got tired of the membership pitches and the app downloads just to train for a single day, so we made Fitual to fix it. It's a network of gyms around the world that welcome travelers for a day, and this summer we made it even easier to use: we launched a free web app, so you can find a gym and book a day pass straight from your browser, with nothing to download.
You open Fitual, browse the map to see the gyms near you, and pick one. Enter your name and email, and your day pass arrives in your inbox. You show that email at the front desk and pay a discounted day rate when you get there. No membership, no contract, and no app to install.
How much does a day pass cost?
It depends on the gym, but you always get a discounted day rate, usually well below the normal walk-in price. You pay the gym directly when you arrive, and because there is no membership and no commitment, you only pay for the days you actually train.
Where does Fitual work?
Fitual works with over 913 gyms in more than 32 countries, and new ones join all the time. Whether you are looking for a CrossFit box, a HYROX gym, a boutique studio, or a classic strength gym, there is a good chance one is waiting near your next destination. Pick a city, find a gym, and keep your routine going wherever you are.
