Strength Train on the Plane & other summer activities!

Fitting strength training into your summer schedule sometimes requires a little creativity.

This morning, I went to my favorite place to exercise in the Des Moines International Airport, while waiting for my plane to Denver. Gate A5, at the end of A Concourse, is down the stairs by some nice big windows. It’s sort of private, has a nice view, and is out of the way, making it an easy place to get in some lunges, squats, and wall push-ups. Often, no one is down there and you can exercise to your heart’s content! Even if people are there, you can do very slow step ups or heel raises on the stairs, and it won’t appear that you’re doing anything out of the normal.

Of course, if you’re not shy and don’t mind people staring at you, just go ahead and find a spot anywhere and do those squats. You’ll certainly alleviate the other travelers’ boredom, while they watch you, and probably inspire them to exercise when they get home!

Denver was a fun place to walk the concourses, getting in some cardio while waiting for my flight to Seattle. The first time past the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Company, I could practically taste my favorite variety of caramel apple, “Apple Pie”. However, I made a deal with myself that if I was still wanting it on the 2^nd loop around, I’d maybe get it. Luckily, on the 2^nd loop, the endorphins were kicking in and I was able to resist. The $7 price tag made me feel even more virtuous for saying no!

Toward the end of the flight to Seattle, I brought out my resistance band to see what I could do in that tiny seat. My neighbor, a delightful woman from New Orleans named Janet, commented that she also worked with bands. She was nice enough to demonstrate a couple of moves that she does in her exercise class when visiting Branson, Missouri. See, it can be done on the plane!!!