As the title suggests, I’ll be visiting family abroad for a few months. I’ve been working out consistently at the gym and don’t want to lose the muscle I’ve built, especially since the place I’m going to doesn’t have a proper gym or equipment. Here is the routine I’ve been following, which might give you an idea of what I’m looking to maintain: 5-Day Dumbbell-Only Workout Split. I’m looking for calisthenics-based workouts to incorporate into a routine. Let me know if you need more information.
I recommend looking into loop resistance bands. They’re highly portable and can provide up to 130kg of resistance with just 1kg of weight, making them much more effective than bodyweight exercises alone. I use the free workouts on the Weller Band app, which also includes some bodyweight exercises.
Have an Olympic bar, along with two 45lb and two 25lb plates, shipped to your destination. You can then perform power cleans, squats, shoulder presses, and other exercises.
The lightest equipment to bring is none at all! Check out the recommended routine on /r/bodyweightfitness. You can modify the basic movements to make it quite challenging. It might not be heavy barbell training, but don’t underestimate bodyweight exercises until you give them a try!
That said, when I travel, I also bring resistance bands as someone else suggested. They add variety beyond bodyweight exercises, and I use them to stretch my shoulders. They’re very light and pack small. I also carry some homemade TRX straps, which are lightweight and allow for a versatile workout. You can buy TRX straps, though they can be pricey. If you have access to a sewing machine, you can make your own—I made mine with a 400 lb towing strap and some 1" plastic pipe, costing less than $15 total.