How's that working out?

Another dam walk at Lake Shawnee (Topeka, KS)

Leonard estimates (conservatively)
that during our last 18 months in Costa Rica, we walked approximately 1,000 miles. Vigorous walking served as our primary form of cardiovascular exercise, supplementing membership in a local gym where we also engaged in strength training. Our commitment to physical activity remains part of our crafty ploy to stay as fit and alert as we can for as long as we can.

After deciding to make the move to full-timing, we began surfing various RV chat groups for tips on exercise setups for road warriors. Sadly, we found little discussion on the topic.

(This could mean that either the camp-on-wheels crowd doesn't go in for pumping iron, or they do but prefer not to brag about it. I plan to reserve judgment pending further research.)



The Accupedo app for
Android makes tracking
cardio workouts easy

Those active RV aficionados whom we have met favor the simple approach to cardio workouts. They walk, hike or otherwise take advantage of nearby paths and trails to get out and move. That approach works for us, and we're already hard at work racking up the miles.

Figuring out a way to keep up our strength training routine while living in the RV proved to be more difficult. Kong's (our RV) spatial limitations simply make it impractical for setting up a workout area.
Weight also factors into the equation. We reckoned the load needed to equip ourselves with a basic set of weights would amount to about 300 pounds. The fact that adding weight to Kong means reducing Truckzilla's (our Ford F350) fuel efficiency not withstanding, this still left us with the problem of where to stack all those dumbbells.

Nesting weights by Bowflex save space and reduce carry load

The solution? Some nifty nested weights made by Bowflex that permit the user to dial each piece to set the desired load, anywhere from 5 to 52.5 lbs. The two-piece set weighs 105 lbs., compared with 670 lbs. if all the individual weights were purchased separately. Each weight takes up only slightly more space than would a single heavy dumbbell. Throw in a folding weight bench for good measure, and we now possess enough equipment to keep our muscles screaming for years to come!

Now we enjoy workouts under the open sky fanned by morning breezes and serenaded by whatever song birds happen to be out-and-about at the time. I ask you, does it get any better?

I don't mean to give the impression we're exercise maniacs. Truthfully, we can talk ourselves out of a workout with little-to-no provocation. Then, guilt takes over, and we're back at it.

In the battle for health and vitality, Nature ultimately wins. When all is said and done, let it be known we put up a damned good fight!



Weights and bench tucked away in Kong's garage (under-carriage storage unit).