Health expert Michael Carson reveals tips, tricks to stay fit while traveling

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Whether your travels take you to a boardroom or sandy beach, most want to feel their best.

Fitness pro Michael Carson has surprising solutions that take a mere 5 minutes of movement while you're on the road.

"All you need is a towel when you're in your hotel room, and your body weight," said Carson.

Rather than crazy cardio and attempting to tighten muscles, Carson's an advocate of movement that lengthens and strengthens them.

Start with a rotary twist that loosens back muscles while training abs. Grab a towel and pull it tight at chest level. Allow upper body to swing right then left.

Take the towel into a figure eight for shoulders and upper body. While you're doing that same figure eight, add a front lunge.

"There's even some back exercises you can do with a towel that will help to strengthen your back and make your posture enhanced," said Carson.

Move on to squats, then back lunges. Hook your towel off a sturdy door to do those lunges to wake up legs and glutes after a long plane ride.

All of the exercises keep you off the hotel carpet.

"You're working the core, the hips, you're increasing your heart rate, and making it so you're enhancing your entire body circulation with one movement," said Carson.

A hotel association says 85 percent of U.S. hotels offer fitness facilities, many free of charge.

"If you want to work out in the privacy of your own room we will give a yoga mat and resistance bands," said Kim Kessler,director of public relations for the Four Seasons Los Angeles, Beverly Hills.

Actually,The Four Seasons Los Angeles, Beverly Hills provides complimentary clothes and shoes if you've forgotten yours.

They also have a free app that features video of in-room exercises by certified trainers that allow the user to log on and workout, even if you are not staying at that particular hotel.

While you don't really want to bring a grocery store with you, you do want to bring things that are good tasting, good for you when the pickings are slim: Smoothie or oatmeal packets, peanut butter or snacks with heart healthy fats, and tea bags.

Also pack gear that you can work out in and then wear out later. Tights, light jackets, tank tops -- items easy to rinse, hang and wear are all smart choices.

The end result?

"You go to your next meeting or go out by the pool, you're looking good, you're feeling more confident, your energy is up," said Carson.