The world's smallest fitness studio
22.7.2018
Translation: machine translated
When I go on holiday, I want to travel light. A small suitcase, that's all. No unnecessary luggage. That's why my holiday fitness studio is just a well-stocked roller. The finest fitness sushi! Here's the recipe.
On holiday, life shouldn't be complicated. I don't want to pack for hours on end and have to lug my suitcase or rucksack everywhere. I'd like to have the essentials within easy reach. I don't want to have to go through all my stuff looking for something at the bottom of the bag. I want to relax, and the best way to do that is through sport. Instead of locking myself away somewhere in a hotel 'gym', which usually consists of nothing more than a space frame and a rickety ergometer, I take my sushi fitness in my luggage. This is what it looks like when it's ready.
The envelope: the Trigger Point Grid Foam Roller
Once you've discovered this roller, you won't want to be without it. I own the Trigger Point Grid Foam Roller. It's hard, but not like stone, which I find very pleasant. I use it mainly for my back and calves. It helps relieve tension caused by stuck fascias. Just a few minutes a day is enough. It also works the muscles that support the trunk. It's hard to believe that this simple thing was only discovered very recently.
Layer #1: of the Thera-Band
Resistance bands
CHF19.90
Tunturi Resistance Band Set - Gummi Gymnastikbänder mit Tasche
0.18 m, Extra strength, Easy, Medium, Strong
A set of fitness bands really weighs nothing and can be used anywhere. Whether at the beach, on the balcony or on the terrace, you can choose the most pleasant spot and train virtually every muscle group. Put one foot on it, and Curl Biceps begin. If you extend your arm sideways to the horizontal, you can work the shoulder muscle (deltoid). If you pass it around a railing or tree, you can do rowing exercises. And if you're short of workout ideas, there are nearly 1,000,000 more waiting for you on YouTube. For me, these elastic bands are definitely an integral part of my luggage. Worst case scenario, they can also be used to tie rowdy airline passengers to their seats.
Layer #2: tennis balls
Having tennis balls with you represents a double advantage. On the one hand, you have what you need if you fancy a quick game of tennis, but the equipment on site is so worn that the balls are starting to get dreadlocks. On the other hand, tennis balls are also ideal for massaging Trigger Points in places you can't reach as specifically with the Foam Roller. Between the shoulder blades, for example, you can work the rhomboid. Or massage the hip flexor ilio-psoas. Or, or, or. You can get an idea by looking at these images.
Layer #3: a sports towel
As a workout mat or towel to soak up sweat, I still slip a lightweight microfibre model into my fitness sushi. These things are absorbent and dry quickly: you can also quickly wash them between two sports sessions. So everything stays in place and my mobile gym doesn't take up more than 4.38 litres of space in the suitcase. I put my clothes in a compression bag, and once the air has been sucked out, there's still enough room for the rest. I take another pair of comfortable running shoes that I wear on the trip, because a little jogging never hurts and these trainers are now also quite nice.
A joker for the journey home
If you've lost all the tennis balls, torn all the elastic (fitness) bands and your towel stinks to high heaven, the Foam Roller remains a wildcard compartment for the journey home. Because you should at least take a good bottle of wine home with you, so you can reminisce about those lovely holidays with a glass in your hand. Hidden in the roll and well protected by a few of your clothes, any bottle will arrive whole at its destination - and after one, two or three weeks of fitness holidays, you've earned it too.
By the way, I'd be happy to take you with me. You can follow me to find out where I'm taking you in my next texts.
Michael Restin
Senior Editor
Michael.Restin@digitecgalaxus.chSimple writer and dad of two who likes to be on the move, wading through everyday family life. Juggling several balls, I'll occasionally drop one. It could be a ball, or a remark. Or both.
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