Adventure trips are often physically demanding – especially for the older fogies. It’s imperative that if you’re the sedentary sort, you must do some physical conditioning before the trip. Some people ask me if I join a gym or something. No way. The benches are often sweaty, you may need to take turns at the machines and occasionally, you may end up puffing with envy when some young punk hits on a babe.

Just kidding. But just like going out, a trip to the gym may require some prep and worst part, it costs money. So I often settle with body weight exercises and some playground/fitness corner equipment. The good old army chin up bar is actually a very cost-effective piece of equipment. If you’re lucky, you may find one in your neighbourhood.

There are also some nice inclined sit up benches. They’re hard, non-porous and perforated. Hardly anybody uses them, nature washes them and the sun fries whatever germs that linger on the apparatus. And they’re free and readily accessible.
Apart from the fitness corner at the playground, I also make use of elastics which you can get very cheaply from Decathlon. You can attach it to any window grille, metal gate and pull away.

For more tips and information on workouts without gyms, check out the sub pages under this one. Remember, no pain, no gain and training should be safe and enjoyable. Consult your doctor or a fitness pro if you have any concerns.