Staying Fit Between Flights

Let’s be honest, staying healthy while living out of suitcases isn’t glamorous. Between long travel days, new time zones, and endless restaurant temptations, fitness usually ends up somewhere between “I’ll start tomorrow” and “Does walking through airports count?” But over the years, we’ve learned that health doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be consistent.

For us, being healthy isn’t about chasing an aesthetic. It’s about maintaining energy, mood, and motivation to keep doing what we love, traveling, working, and exploring new places without burning out.

Our secret weapon has been the Smart Fit Black Plan. It’s one membership that works at any Smart Fit gym across Latin America. We can land in Bogotá one week, fly to São Paulo the next, and still have a familiar place to work out. That kind of stability feels rare when your lifestyle doesn’t include a “home gym.”

Now, it’s not flawless. The system isn’t fully unified across countries yet. I enrolled in Colombia, one of my partners enrolled in Brazil. So, when I’m in Brazil, I have to type in my membership number instead of using my fingerprint, and when she’s in Colombia, she has to do the same. It’s one of those mildly annoying details that make you realize even fitness chains haven’t caught up with digital nomads. But still, it works, and it keeps us accountable.

When we can’t get to a gym, we keep things flexible. We all travel with jump ropes, though if I’m being honest, they spend more time tangled in a backpack than actually being used. Still, they’re a good reminder that movement doesn’t have to mean machines or dumbbells.

In Rio, we took it up a notch by signing up for Itau city bikes. For a small monthly fee, we get unlimited rides across the city. It’s an affordable and fun way to get around while sneaking in a workout. And when you’re coasting down Ipanema with the ocean breeze in your face, it’s hard to call it “exercise.”

Whenever we can, we also go hiking, especially in Colombia where the mountain trails are breathtaking. But we’re always careful to go with a group or guided tour. Safety is part of wellness too.

One of my partners loves running, and honestly, I admire her for that. She’ll lace up her shoes and disappear for a few kilometers while I’m still deciding what playlist to use for push-ups. I used to bodybuild, so now I mix short functional workouts into my day, push-ups between emails, planks before bed, squats when brushing my teeth. It’s not glamorous, but it adds up.

Fitness isn’t just about movement, it’s also about food, and that’s a constant challenge on the road. We try to eat like locals, choosing real meals over fast food whenever possible. Street markets are our go-to for fruits, vegetables, and snacks that don’t come in plastic.

In Airbnb kitchens, we’ll cook simple things, grilled chicken, rice, vegetables, smoothie bowls. The idea isn’t to track calories or count macros but to eat mindfully. When we treat food as fuel instead of convenience, our energy stays up, our mood improves, and our bodies thank us later.

Still, balance matters. We’ll never skip out on trying a local dessert or cocktail because that’s part of the experience too. The goal isn’t discipline, it’s awareness.

For us, staying healthy on the road is about balance, not control. It’s accepting that we won’t always have access to a gym or perfect food, and that’s okay. What matters most is that we keep showing up for ourselves, even if that means stretching in a hostel courtyard or taking a long walk through a new city.

Being nomadic teaches you to adapt. And health, at its core, is just another form of adaptation-learning how to take care of yourself no matter where you are.Remote work and travel are both about freedom, if you plan wisely, you can have both.

~Cheers To Travels

▶ Smart Fit Black Plan: The best fitness membership for digital nomads across Latin America.

▶ Itau City Bikes (Brazil): An affordable and eco-friendly way to stay active while exploring Rio.

▶ Group Hiking Tours: Safer and more social, plus you get to discover hidden trails in new destinations.

▶ Bodyweight Apps: Tools like Nike Training Club or Fitbod make it easy to exercise anywhere

Staying healthy while traveling isn’t about rigid routines or perfect diets. It’s about adaptability, curiosity, and self-awareness. Some days you’ll crush your workout; other days, you’ll just need rest and a good meal. What matters most is that you keep trying.

When your surroundings constantly change, what habits help you feel grounded and healthy?