If you find yourself traveling frequently for business or pleasure, you are probably familiar with how difficult it can be to maintain a fitness program. Not all hotels have fitness facilities, the day-to-day routine of out of town trips is rarely similar to your home routine, and you may often question whether you even have time for an effective workout while traveling. Once your exercise routine has been interrupted, it can be tough to get back on track when you return home.

An assortment of fitness products are available that are effective when used at home and can be collapsed to travel in a suitcase, briefcase, or duffel bag. Whether you wish to work your arms, chest, abs, legs, shoulders, or back, these products can be brought with you to ensure you get a proper workout anywhere.

The Perfect Push Up Travel Edition

Pushups are one of the most effective forms of exercise. Used by sports teams and military units all over the world, they are a great way to work your arms, shoulders, chest, and back. Designed by a former Navy SEAL, the award-winning Perfect Push Up is now available in a travel edition which breaks down to make it more compact. The rotating hand grips allow your arms to rotate naturally throughout the push up, taking the stress away from your joints and enabling you to tone more muscle groups. The set includes a detailed workout guide, the two pushup handles, and a convenient zippered travel bag.

AquaBells Dumbbells and Ankle Weights

Free weights are an excellent fitness tool for building and toning muscle, but practically impossible to travel with. Aquabells allow you to use the natural weight of water to give your arms and legs a thorough workout practically anywhere. You can adjust the amount of weight by simply adding or removing water, with a maximum weight of 16 pounds per dumbbell and 8 pounds per ankle weight. Aquabells are available in pairs or as a combo pack with one pair of each included. They are constructed of soft cushioned vinyl that is guaranteed by the manufacturer to not leak and, when empty, weigh less than two pounds per combo pack.

FitBall Mini Exercise Ball

The original FitBall Exercise Ball has long been a useful training tool used by coaches, therapists, and personal trainers for effective, low-impact workouts. The FitBall Mini is a fraction of the size of its predecessor, but offers the user an assortment of effective workouts designed to target all parts of the body, including several Pilate's applications. It can be easily inflated or deflated with the included tube and, once deflated, fits nicely in your luggage.

Thera-Band Exercise Bands

Exercise bands are a great tool for toning muscle. Available in 5 levels of resistance, the Thera-Band Exercise Bands come in a roll that 6 inches wide and 6 yards long. They can be cut to different lengths depending on the size of the user and the application they are being used for, and can be stowed easily a briefcase or suitcase. As with most workouts, it is best to start with a lighter resistance and work your way up to heavy resistance as your strength increases.

Each of these devices is reasonably priced and is a very effective workout tool, but like any other fitness program, they work the best in conjunction with healthy eating habits. Avoiding carbohydrates in the evening and foods with excessive fat or salt content will go a long way towards keeping even the busiest of travelers in great shape. Most importantly, be sure to drink plenty of water when working out.