You don’t have to spend a truckload of cash to create yourself a Portable Athlete toolkit. With a little bit of this and a little bit of that you can come up with a few things that will help you maintain your fitness whilst on the move. Here are a few ideas.

Dual tennis ball massager

What you need:

• two tennis balls
• electrical (or high strength plastic tape)
• patience

What you get:

• an awesome tool to massage those aching body parts
• it’s especially good for releasing tension in the lower back

Construction method:

• place the two tennis balls together so they make a three-dimensional figure 8
• tape them together length ways, allowing the tape to follow the contours of the balls
• repeat the above step after rotating the balls 90 degrees (you should have two lines of tape along the length of the tool)
• cover the balls with tape making sure to maintain the contours and create as much strength as possible

Usage:

• place the tool on the floor and across your lower back (you’re facing upward)
• either roll up and down to massage the spinal erectors or remain stationary to facilitate a pressure point-like treatment
• you can use the tool for other parts of the body too

PVC pipe plantar fascia roller

What you need:

• a 30cm (1 ft.) length of 15mm (approx 2/3 in.) diameter PVC pipe

What you get:

• a tool to help free up the tension inherent in the plantar fascia after running and plyometric training

Usage:

• roll your foot over the pipe in both directions
• the harder you press down the more it will hurt but the more benefit you will get (within reason)

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Adam is a qualified fitness trainer and business owner. He is co-owner of Firebrand Fitness where he spends most of his time helping people become fitter than they’ve ever been. Adam also owns a number of online businesses and blogs including Portable Athlete, The Business Jolt, Paleo Brothers and his personal blog.