How to keep going to the gym in a nomadic life
Going to the gym in cities like Buenos Aires and Rome was one of the year's best experiences
I started going to the gym at the beginning of 2022. It's challenging to create the courage, but once it becomes a habit, it becomes one of the best things in life.
When I began my nomadic journey at the start of 2023, I feared losing this routine, as I would always spend limited time in each place.
However, I've managed to maintain an acceptable level of gym attendance despite living in more than ten cities this year. I've been to gyms in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, Buenos Aires, and Rome. It's one of the most local experiences a nomad or traveler can have. Here, I'll share my insights.
The secret to going to a gym in another city or country is the same as in your hometown: go. When I arrive in a city, I search for nearby gyms on Google, visit each to understand their monthly membership fees, and choose the best cost-benefit. Having been to so many gyms, I've definitively learned that the cheapest option is far from being the best.
It's also possible to opt for a weekly plan. It works well for me in São Paulo, where I frequently visit but for shorter periods, ranging from one to three weeks.
Yes, I spend more on the gym than a non-nomad, but it's included in my nomadic expenses. In Brazil, one option is to sign up for an annual plan in a gym that is present in several cities, such as Smart Fit. I'm considering this for 2024.
However, you may find reasonable prices. In Buenos Aires, I paid $20 a month (in Brazil, I paid $20 for a week!). In Rome, I spent ten dollars for a week. I didn't think it was expensive, considering I'm in Europe.
I prioritize Airbnb stays in buildings with gyms to save on gym expenses. It is the best scenario because I can go whenever I want. I've even gone twice a day – cardio in the morning and weightlifting in the afternoon.
Time zone differences can be a problem. In Rome, where I've been living for a month, I only managed to organize myself to go to the gym in the penultimate week. This is because I'm four hours ahead in the time zone and start working at 2 pm in Rome. When I finish work at 10 pm in Rome, most gyms are closed (and it's already freezing). Ideally, I should go in the morning before starting work. The issue is getting my body to adjust to the time zone. I would need to wake up at most 10 am, and I only managed that in the penultimate week.
I walk twice as much to compensate for the days I miss the gym and improve my diet.
In August, during my time in the Amazon, my life was extremely busy, and I couldn't make it to the gym. The secret is dealing with the frustration and staying motivated. In Buenos Aires, September was my best month of the year – an average of four times a week.
Going to the gym creates a desirable routine for the otherwise routine-less life of a nomad. I always take the same route, stop by the same market to buy water, and then I feel like I'm living in that neighborhood, in that city.
The nomadic life can be very lonely. And we all have our personal and professional problems. Therefore, the post-workout feeling of well-being is one of the best remedies I've found so far for these anxieties.
I didn't go to the gym as much as I would have liked this year, but I went more than I thought possible in January. I'm confident I went more than many non-nomads. I hope these tips can be helpful for everyone.
Happy gymming!