Fitness Gifts for Travelers

1. Bodylastics Home Gym System

Resistance bands are perfect for travelers, but can you really get the resistance you need to build muscle? And how do you use these things anyway? Bodylastics answers those questions with several home gym systems that include resistance bands ranging from 7-23-lb tension, ankle straps, door anchors, a detailed user guide, a travel bag and an optional circuit workout DVD. You can choose different systems depending on how much tension you need and your fitness level and the entire 'gym' fits easily in your suitcase. Bands are perfect for squeezing in a quick workout when you're on the go.

2. Jump rope

You may not know this, but jumping rope burns major calories and is a great choice for travelers. A 150-lb person could burn almost 230 calories in just 20 minutes, although you would need to start off a bit slower than that if you're not used to the exercise. Use it in a circuit workout - try jumping for a minute, doing pushups for a minute, squats for a minute, etc. and create your own workout right in your hotel room. Jump ropes are inexpensive, fit in your suitcase and offer a great, whole-body workout.

3. AquaBells Dumbbells

This is a great choice for the traveler who wants to lift weights, but doesn't have access to a decent fitness room or gym. These are packable weights and you simply add water and the weights can go up to 16 pounds, weighing only 24 ounces when deflated.

4. Pocket Trainer

If you can't get a trainer, the next best thing is The Pocket Trainer. This book has more than 50 exercises and stretches to help you build muscle and lose fat, and the large color photos make it easy to do each exercise correctly. Each page shows a different exercise plus recommended weights, sets, reps and variations according to fitness level.

5. VersaStick Travel Gym

This kit is similar to the ProGym listed above, but with some great extras. First, you get a Versa Stick, which offers variety for strength training exercises. You attach a resistance band to the stick and it becomes something like a barbell, so you can work the entire body. The kit includes 3 resistance bands of varying tension, a door anchor, a manual and DVD. It would be great if they also included handles for the bands, but that's not a big deal. The DVD includes both instructions for exercises as well as a variety of workouts including a short 10-minute workout, core training and a cardio/resistance workout.

6. Solotrainer Workout Cards

Sometimes it's not about having the right equipment for travel workouts, but more about not knowing what to do. The Solotrainer Workout Cards work great in this situation, offering detailed fitness flash cards showing you exactly how to do a variety of exercises, from squats to pushups, all with pictures included. The cards are 3.5" x 4", are color-coded by muscle group, and are held together with detachable rings. There are also strength programs included for men, women and for different levels of fitness and goals.

7. Travel Fitness by Rebecca Johnson

This is another good choice for travelers and something they might enjoy reading on the plane. It's more of an informational book that offers specific advice about staying healthy on the road, dealing with jet lag, managing stress and how to change your workout routines when you go on the road. It also includes a variety of exercises, things you can do in your hotel room and even stretches and exercises you can do on the plane. This is a great resource for the frequent flyer.

8. The Athletic-Minded Traveler

If you travel and want to stay in shape, get this book. This excellent resource has done all the work for you, researching hotels all over the country to find the ones that fit within your budget and your athletic needs. The best thing about it is that it doesn't just cover the facts, but makes suggestions for places to go and places to avoid.