Guest post written by Chanelle Rosenbaum from The Ordinary Athlete
Fitness travel is becoming more popular than ever. From destination races and yoga retreats to group hiking trips and training camps, more people are choosing to build their vacations around movement, wellness, and personal goals, not just relaxation.
Having travelled both domestically and internationally to compete in fitness events, I’ve experienced first-hand how rewarding this type of trip can be, but also how different it is from a typical vacation, and the additional logistical challenges that can come with it.
If you’re thinking about booking your first fitness-focused trip, here are a few things to know before you go.
What Is Fitness Travel?
Fitness travel is exactly what it sounds like: travelling with a purpose that revolves around movement, health, or a specific physical goal.
Instead of planning a trip purely to relax or sightsee, you’re building it around something active—whether that’s running a race, tackling a bikepacking adventure, going on a hiking trip, joining a training camp, or attending a wellness retreat.
In most cases, there’s a clear focus to the trip, and it often brings together other like-minded people. You’re not just going somewhere new, you’re going with the intention of participating in something, improving your fitness, or challenging yourself in a different environment.
While you will still get to experience a new destination, the fitness element tends to shape how the entire trip looks and feels.
What to Know Before Booking a Fitness Trip
Here are a few key things you should know before considering whether or not to go on a fitness trip.
Your Trip Has a Purpose – Travel Experiences Come Second
Unlike a typical vacation, where you can plan your days freely, fitness travel usually revolves around one key event or goal. The destination is more of a bonus.
Whether it’s a goal race, a multi-day hike, or a structured retreat, you’ve likely put in a lot of preparation and have a specific objective you want to achieve. So it can be frustrating if something interferes with that.
That’s why everything from when you arrive to how you spend your time tends to be built around that main focus. It’s best to avoid squeezing in too much sightseeing beforehand, cutting flights too close, or overdoing it early in the trip.
Save sightseeing and exploration for after your event. This way, you can actually relax and enjoy the destination. Plus, it won’t distract you from your fitness goal, which is why you’re on the trip to begin with.
Planning Matters More Than You Think
With fitness travel, logistics become much more important and often more complicated than with regular travel.
You’ll need to think about things like when you arrive (especially if there’s a time difference), how you’ll get to your event or activity location, whether there are any check-ins or briefings, what gear you need to bring, and even whether your travel insurance covers the specific activity you’re doing.
Arriving a little earlier than you normally would for a vacation can make a big difference, giving you time to adjust and settle in.
In my experience, this is especially helpful if you’re heading somewhere with a different climate, as that alone can have a big impact on how you feel during the event.
Packing Is More Strategic For a Fitness Trip
Packing for a fitness trip is very different from packing for a typical vacation.
It’s not just about outfits, it’s about making sure you have everything you need to perform comfortably. That might include specific shoes or gear, nutrition and hydration products, and clothing you’ve already tested in training.
This becomes even more important if you’re travelling for long events like ultramarathons or triathlons. For these, your gear and fuelling strategy can make or break your race.
Unlike a regular trip, forgetting something important isn’t always easy to fix once you arrive. Local stores might not carry what you’re used to. Plus, buying new gear right before an event doesn’t give you time to properly test it. And it can be very expensive!
Food and Hydration Play a Bigger Role
One of the biggest differences with fitness travel is how important your nutrition becomes.
You’re not just eating for enjoyment, you’re also fuelling your body for performance and recovery. This is especially important for endurance events where you’ll be burning a lot of calories, and consistent fuelling can make a big difference in how you feel and perform.
This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy local food or have a few treats. But it does mean being a bit more intentional, at least leading up to your event. Knowing what your body needs and making sure you’re getting that first can help avoid unnecessary issues on the day.
If you’re unsure, it can help to look into what food options will be available at your destination. This way, you can have a simple plan ahead of time. And if you rely on specific products like sports nutrition or supplements, it’s usually best to bring your own.
Travel Fatigue Can Affect You More Than Expected
Even if you’re used to travelling, combining it with a fitness event can feel more tiring than usual.
Between flights, time changes, disrupted sleep, added logistics, and pre-event nerves, it’s common to feel more fatigued than you would on a normal trip. And that can carry into your performance if you’re not careful.
Giving yourself time to adjust and keeping your schedule relatively light can make a big difference.
Related post: 5 Expert Tips on How to Help Prevent Jet Lag
Your Routine Will Be Disrupted
No matter how well you plan, things won’t feel exactly the same as they do at home.
Your sleep, meals, and daily routine will likely be a bit off in the lead-up to your event. Don’t worry, that’s completely normal. The key is to stay flexible and focus on the basics, rather than trying to control everything.
And remember, everyone else participating is dealing with the same thing, so you’re not alone in that.
It’s Not Always Relaxing — But It’s More Rewarding
Fitness travel isn’t usually the most relaxing way to travel, especially in the lead-up to a big event.
There will likely be early mornings, nerves, and some physical fatigue. But at the same time, there’s a strong sense of purpose that makes the experience feel different.
Crossing a finish line or completing a challenge in a new place adds a layer of meaning that you don’t get from a typical trip. It’s the kind of experience that sticks with you for a long time.
Don’t Forget to Enjoy the Destination
It’s easy to become so focused on the fitness side of the trip that you forget you’re also somewhere new.
It’s best to stay focused beforehand. If you can, build in some time afterwards to explore, relax, and actually enjoy the destination. This also gives you a chance to recover properly before heading home. This can make the trip back quite a lot more comfortable.
Related post if you’re flying to your fitness travel destination: My List of the Top 8 Airline Travel Must-Haves
Fitness Travel Final Thoughts
Fitness travel isn’t the same as a traditional vacation, but that’s exactly what makes it special.
It combines challenge, purpose, and exploration in a way that few other types of travel can. And while it may require a bit more planning and discipline, the payoff is often a much more meaningful and memorable experience.
If you’re considering signing up for a destination event, going in prepared and with the right expectations can make all the difference.