The Best Fitness Gear You Can Pack in Your Carry-on
When you're away from home, it can be easy to throw your fitness routine aside. It's tempting to just take the time off and forgo working out and eating right.
The problem, especially for frequent travelers, is that this begins to add up over time. Before you know it, you may have completely abandoned your healthy habits in favor of unhealthy ones.
The are many obstacles to staying fit while traveling. Hotel gyms are great, but they're not always an option. Bodyweight workouts are extremely effective, but there are times when you just need some variety. Packing the right fitness gear when you travel can make all the difference. These seven products will keep your fitness goals on track.
Black Mountain Resistance Band Set
Resistance bands don't get enough attention from the fitness community, and they're often dismissed as inferior to barbells or equipment only beginners use. But the reality is that they can be a traveler's best friend for staying fit. They take up almost no room in your luggage and weigh next to nothing, making them the perfect workout tool to pack in your carry-on. The Black Mountain Resistance Band Set is the top-selling resistance band set on Amazon and supports many workout routines, including P90X. It includes bands with interchangeable handles, a door anchor, an ankle strap and five bands with a range of resistance levels.
The EmPack
The EmPack is the first and only backpack designed for use as a weight training tool. It's incredibly practical for travelers — it's a backpack after all, so it does double duty as a fitness tool and a way to carry your belongings. Four bladders that can each hold 15 pounds of water or 21 pounds of sand allow you to easily add weight, and it's made from military-grade materials, so you know it's durable. Use it as a barbell, dumbbell, kettlebell or to add weight to your favorite bodyweight exercises. Buy: theempack.com, from $150
Monkii Bars 2
Incorporating fitness gear into travel workouts can be tricky, but Monkii Bars 2 are the perfect tool that can go just about anywhere and still give you a killer workout. They're strong but light (nine ounces), and the setup is easy. Monkii Bars pack up easily into your carry-on and are meant to be hung from a door, ceiling beam, tree branch or other secure spot. The workouts you get using Monkii Bars are highly effective. You can also download the Monkii app on your phone for curated videos, including hotel workouts, park workouts and a so-called "workout in the wild." Buy: monkii.com, $200
BeMaxx Fitness Speed Rope
Jumping rope is a great way to burn a ton of calories quickly and is perfect for travelers. You'll drive your heart rate up, boost your metabolism and burn off fat with a tiny piece of equipment that takes up almost no space in your carry-on. The BeMaxx Fitness Speed Rope is a quality speed rope with 90-degree ball bearings that allow for quick turning, while anti-slip handles allow for a comfortable, firm grip. Adjustable wire cables are premium quality and easily replaceable. This rope also comes with a free workout guide to get you jumping rope like a pro. Buy: be-maxx.com, €10 ($12)
Kettle Gryp
While the other products on this list are meant for use without a gym, this one is included specifically for travelers who do have access to a gym, and love kettlebells. Because let's face it, not too many hotel gyms have them. But if you travel with the Kettle Gryp, you'll be able to turn any dumbbell into a kettlebell. The Kettle Gryp is a dumbbell adapter designed to fit onto dumbbells and turn them into kettlebells. It's small, lightweight (less than one pound) and easily fits in a carry-on.
(Image via Amazon)
Morph Collapsible Foam Roller
Rolling your muscles with a foam roller is a great way to flush toxins and relieve trigger points. This will not only improve your overall performance, but also speed up recovery. Unfortunately, most foam rollers aren't exactly travel-friendly. The Morph Collapsible Foam Roller by Brazyn, however, is perfect for travelers. It collapses, making it portable and easy to pack in your carry-on. And despite weighing under two pounds, it's durable enough to withstand some heavy rolling. Buy: Brazynlife.com, $68
TRX Tactical
Invented by a Navy SEAL on deployment, TRX suspension training straps are great for travel workouts. TRX produces a few variations of their popular straps, but the TRX Tactical is the best choice for travelers, especially members of the military and those who love the outdoors. That's because the Tactical set is the most rugged suspension trainer from TRX, able to withstand the punishment that comes with heavy travel and outdoor exposure. It’s lightweight, easy to set up and comes with a suspension anchor and door anchor.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.