Like how most all training topics have more than one answer, To Train Or Not To Train On Vacation is no different. However, I have always maintained the same answer to that question.
I always choose to train. The easiest reason for me is because I truly love to train. Another reason is that it reduces my guilt of being more liberal with my diet while on vacation.
Recently I added another reason after listening to a podcast with Peter Attia and Luc Van Loon. In it, they discuss muscle loss due to inactivity.
It was thought that long bouts of inactivity later in life from things such as a broken hip which take you out for a good chunk of time cause muscle loss. But while listening to the podcast there's a theory that cumulative shorter times of inactivity can be the culprit.
The discussion was more like being completely inactive while older and suffering many short durations of not moving from things like colds and sprains. Of course, I'm not just sitting and doing nothing while away, but why risk losing any muscle mass, especially at my age.
While away I never go looking for a gym. If there's one where I'm staying, great. I make do. I go in, find a few things I like, get a pump, and go. Otherwise, my old standby is Wendler's Walrus.
The Wendler Walrus (James says the Walrus is the fat, gross cousin to the Navy Seals) is 150 squats, 100 pushups, and 50 pullups. Some use it wearing a vest as a whole workout and others complete it with body weight as assistance to the main 5/3/1 movement.
I'll break the Walrus into 10 sets of 15 squats, 10 pushups, and 5 pullups. After that, I like to go for an hour walk. Again, I love to train and move so it's not like it's a punishment.
For the pullups I used to scout out something I could use. But the other day I grabbed a pair of cool handles from Amazon that attach above a door jamb that worked out very well.
There you have it, why I choose to train on vacation. If you don't that's cool. There are positives to taking a little time off as well.
