Tips to conquer fitness abroad, from HIIT to spin to yoga.
When we first arrived in Spain, finding a good gym was towards the top of my to-do list. Honestly, it wasn’t easy. I saw gyms around town, but what classes did they offer, would everything be in Spanish and would I even know how to communicate my questions? If you asked me where to workout in NYC or San Francisco, I could list probably 50 studios off the top of my head. But throw me in another country and I had no idea where to go.
Fortunately I found a pretty good gym in Barcelona where 90% of the time I do my own workout and therefore don’t have to deal with the language barrier. But I also like to challenge myself and want to get myself out of my comfort zone as much as possible while living abroad. So I’ve been trying a bunch of boutique studios here and as I travel through Europe.
Fitness abroad is not without its challenges though. You might think a spin class is a spin class, so no mater what country you’re in you can just jump on in. I mean, yes you can do that. But to get a good workout and not feel totally lost, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Today I’m sharing how to find good workouts in a foreign country and also how to rock them. One of my favorite ways to experience the vibe of a new city is to explore the wellness scene. It’s fun to see the differences and similarities across the globe when it comes to a HIIT or barre class.
Tips to conquer group fitness abroad
Crowdsource for Top Studios
Nothing is more annoying than wasting 45 minutes on a class you hate. Do a little research before jumping into the nearest studio. Instagram has been my #1 way to find great workout studios in different countries. I’ve either asked my Insta friends for recommendations or find other travel and fitness accounts to follow and see what they’re doing. If I find one good studio to visit, after class I’ll usually ask the staff or other students there if they have other recommendations in the area.
Check the Language Details
Some studios will teach their classes in English, even if you’re in a country that speaks a different language. For example, BECYCLE in Berlin leads all classes in English and Barry’s Bootcamp in Stockholm teaches some classes in English and some in Swedish,. Always check the schedule before signing up. If it’s not in English (which has been the case for all of the studios I’ve visited in Spain), let the instructor know you speak English and aren’t fluent in the local language.
Some studios will be accommodating and will give separate cues in English. And if they can’t give you separate cues, they’ll at least understand why you may not be following all the directions. As an instructor it can be very frustrating to see people in class not following the instruction you’re giving. If it’s because of a language barrier it’s way more acceptable and the instructor can give hands on assistance if verbal cues aren’t enough.
Sit Towards the Middle/Back
The ideal place to grab a spot is towards the back with people on both sides of you. This way you can easily sneak a glance at the people in front of you and next to you to figure out what you’re supposed to be doing. This is particularly helpful in yoga classes where the instructor may not be demonstrating but instead giving very specific instruction. Hopefully you’ve got some good neighbors on both sides to keep you on track.
Figure out Kilos Vs Pounds
If you’re in a strength class, the weights may be confusing. Do a couple of pre-conversions so you know in advance which weights to grab (1 pound = 2.2 kilograms).
Pre-Convert Treadmill Speeds
Same goes fro the treadmill. In Barry’s Bootcamp style classes, the speeds can get confusing (1 mph = 1.6 kmh). It helps to figure out your comfortable speed and full out sprint speed ahead of time.
Figure out your Shoe Size
It seems small and silly, but it’s helpful to know your shoe size converted before attending a spin class that offers shoes (for example, a size 7 in the US is a 37 in European sizing). It saves time while renting your shoes and sometimes that time is precious (especially if you’re about to set up a new-to-you bike).
I think that a lot of people are scared to do a totally new workout in a totally new country, especially with a language barrier. And I agree, it can be a little scary! But fitness abroad is also super interesting and a fun experience that I highly recommend during your next travels.
If you’re looking for some awesome abroad workouts, check out my post on the 5 Best Workouts in Europe.
If you have any tips on how to conquer workouts abroad, please share them below!
All photos by Andrea Kay Images
