Last Updated on February 8, 2023
This collaboration article on how to stay fit when traveling is provided by Tamsin from Life Begins With Travel. Tamsin is a Welsh pole dance instructor who has been pole dancing for 9 years and teaching for 4. She loves to travel far and wide, sometimes for quick weekends away at a festival and sometimes for long-term adventures.
Tamsin kindly agreed to be interviewed by Pole Fit Freedom about her pole fitness background, her travels and how she stays fits while on the road! If you’re interested in writing a guest post for us on the topic of pole fitness, submit your idea here.
First of all, thank you so much to Tamsin for agreeing to take part, it’s been so difficult to engage with other bloggers to provide unique content to our readers!
So, how did you first start pole dancing?
It was back in 2009, I had absolutely no fitness experience whatsoever. I never went to the gym nor did I play any sports. Pole fitness was a sort-of whim. My friend taught a class and I went to check it out.
I was absolutely awful at first, and I mean crap. I simply couldn’t hold myself off the ground with my weak, puny arms. Everyone else in the class was gracefully floating around the pole and landing silently, when I was slipping down and landing with a thud.
I’m so glad I stuck with it, as I can do things now that I didn’t think possible!
That’s awesome! So how about traveling? Tell us about your travels!
I love travelling, I just never had a chance to do it in my early-twenties due to not having enough money and expensive rent to pay.
My partner and I were meant to go on a one way trip, but we had to cut it short for health reasons. I’ve travelled around Europe, Asia, Central America and most recently, Egypt.
I’ve got plans to do more travelling in the near future.
So what’s your favourite place you’ve visited?
As it’s so fresh in my mind right now, Egypt. It was unlike any place I have ever been before. Egypt has always been one of the most mystical and attractive places to me. I was also keen to break the perception that Egypt is a dangerous place to visit, I felt very safe in Egypt and I encourage other travellers to visit and experience it for themselves – just take the same precautions that you would anywhere else!
As a pole dance instructor and enthusiast, how do you stay fit when you’re away?
Personally, I get lazy in terms of following a fitness routine when I’m away as I’m too busy exploring the new environment. But, that’s also how I stay fit when travelling!
I am a pretty adventurous traveller, choosing to do hikes and walks over taxis and tour buses. I usually make sure that my travel itinerary allows for exercise, adventure and sightseeing all at the same time.
However if I’m lucky enough to stay in a hotel or apartment with a gym then I almost never use it. Part of the reason I enjoy pole fitness so much is because the regular gym is so boring.
Also, walking around carrying a heavy backpack up hills and along beaches is a workout in itself!
Do you ever get the chance to pole dance when you travel?
Very rarely. In some more tourist-y areas with lots of bars then I occasionally stumble across a club with a pole. It’s usually occupied by semi-skilled drunk women. Once (I was stone cold sober) I did ‘bust out some moves’ to a round of cheers and a couple of free shots!
I went to Boom Festival in Portugal where they had awesome aerial yoga installations and a cool greenhouse with a very tall fireman’s pole supporting part of it.
Naturally, it would be rude not to have a go…
So cool! What are your plans for the future? Travel more? What about your Pole Goals?
Well, I’m currently seeking a new home as I’m in temporary living arrangements right now. So, that’s my priority. Then, I’ll be able to put my pole back up!
Travel-wise, I’m hoping to visit Central Asia: Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, etc. I want to explore areas of the world that are not very well visited! I’m also planning to do the Everest Base Camp Trek at some point in the next couple of years. Now that’s a way to stay fit whiletravelling! Trek the Himalayas!
Any final tips for pole dancers who love exploring but want to stay fit when traveling?
Walk everywhere instead of catching taxis – by walking everywhere you’ll be burning calories, albeit slowly, but it’s better than riding around everywhere in a taxi. Also, you see and experience much more when you’re walking around rather than looking at it through a window of a moving vehicle!
Opt for adventurous activities – no matter where you’re staying, there’s bound to be local walking routes or hikes you can try. Or, look for any adventurous activities such as rock climbing or water sports.
Quiet yoga with a view – hike to the nearest viewpoint, or if you’re lucky enough to have a hotel balcony with a view then that will do. Do 15 minutes of yoga in the morning to boost your circulation and metabolism for the day. Just a sort amount of exercise in the morning will help you burn calories throughout the day.
Use facilities in your accommodation – if you’re staying somewhere with a gym or a pool – use it! I’m a fine one to talk because I’ve just said in this interview that I don’t use hotel gyms – haha! But if you’re determined to stay fit, or there’s poor weather so outdoor activities are off the cards, then using gym facilities at your hotel or apartment is your best bet.
Short ‘n’ sweet workouts in your room – you can also perform quick and basic circuits in your room if you’ve run out of other options. I only usually do this on business trips or immediately after being sat on a plane, train or bus for many hours. I always follow the 3-2-1 rule; that’s 3 minutes of cardio, followed by 2 minutes of strength building and 1 minute of ab-toning.
This could be:
- 3 minutes of jogging/jumping jacks/jumping on the bed/dancing around in excitement/etc!
- 2 minutes of triceps dips, squats, push-ups
- 1 minutes of either sit-ups or plank
- Repeat x2
These short, sharp burst of exercise don’t need any equipment and will take you just 18 minutes if you complete the circuit 3 times.
Thank you, Tamsin!
Thank you so much to Tamsin for taking the time to be interviewed for this informative guest post on how to stay fit when traveling. Don’t forget to check out Tamsin’s Travel Blog to read more about her and her travels!
If you’re interested in writing a guest post for us on the topic of pole fitness, submit your idea here.
Happy poling!
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A profession such as pole dancing requires great strength and stamina. Convey my regards to Tamsin for sharing her fitness mantra through this interview.