Vacationers don’t have to take time off from feeling fit. An enjoyable vacation can easily be an active one. Exercise is a great destressor, and there are many opportunities to find new ways to get in some exercise and bond as a family at the same time.

Finding ways to incorporate exercise into travel plans can be easy.

•Start with the hotel and create a plan. Find out what facilities the hotel offers. Many hotel fitness centers are equipped with commercial grade weight machines. It can be a great way to spend time with a spouse, exercising together, before spending the rest of the day with the kids.

For those not in a hotel, pack a pair of high-quality, heavy-resistance bands in a suitcase. While resistance bands will not fully replace weights, they offer adequate resistance for performing biceps curls and shoulder presses.

On a cruise ship, check out the fitness center. Many offer classes that make exercise easy and fun.

•Get in shape before going. Most tourists do more walking when they are traveling than they do at home, so preparing before the trip is a good idea. Try walking at a moderate pace, outside or on the treadmill, for 20 minutes at a time.

•Try something new. Without the distraction of the daily grind, a vacation can be an opportune time to start a fitness routine. Strengthtraining equipment like the cable motion machine allows for a wide variety of exercises that build balance, stability and power. Look for instructional placards on the machines to provide easy-to-follow instructions for performing exercises correctly.

•Recharge for each day. Just as with weight training, for those who normally do cardio as part of their routine, don’t skimp on it during vacation. Take a turn on the hotel treadmill or elliptical machine before heading out for the day or when the weather doesn’t allow for a run outdoors.

This story provided by North America Precis Syndicate Inc.