No Gym, No Kitchen, No Problem: How the Property Brothers Stay Healthy On The Road

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The “Property Brothers” Drew (left) and Jonathan (right) Scott have got their being-healthy-on-the-road routine down. (Photo: Caitlin Cronenberg)

Drew and Jonathan Scott have turned their real estate and contracting backgrounds into uber-successful TV careers as the hosts of HGTV’s Property Brothers, Brother Vs. Brother, Buying and Selling, and Property Brothers At Home. But with their busy schedules, they’ve found themselves spending more time in other people’s homes than their own.

“We are on the road filming pretty much 10 months of the year and we travel weekly for live appearances and press,” Jonathan tells Yahoo Health. "In fact, Drew only gets home a few weeks a year.”

But the duo haven’t let this lack of a normal routine stop them from living healthfully — they’ve figured out a way to squeeze in workouts and find healthy dining options on-the-go, despite limited time and access to a kitchen. (Or, at least one that’s not being demolished.)

Just as they would map out a renovation or home-improvement project, Jonathan and Drew, both 37, carefully research and plan their meals and workouts before they even set foot in a new city. “Ensuring we have healthy snacks on hand saves us [from] hitting the vending machine,” says Drew. “Also, knowing what restaurants offer clean food options before heading to a new city helps save time looking for areas to dine out."

If they’re going to be in a city for more than two weeks, the pair will even source out a local chef to make healthy meals. "They deliver fresh meals every three days and when you have a crazy-busy schedule like we do, this is a lifesaver,” says Jonathan.

Related: How To Stop Eating Takeout All The Time

While they both agree on following a healthy diet, their methods of doing so vary slightly. Jonathan’s eating philosophy involves avoiding junk and eating small portions. “I don’t do a lot of fried foods, fast food, or junk,” he says. “I’ll take sushi any time of day.“ Meanwhile, Drew admits he’s “a little more hardcore” when it comes to diet. “I restrict dairy, gluten, and refined sugar intake. I do six meals a day with about 40 to 45 grams of protein per meal.”

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Jonathan, left, and Drew, right, both eat healthfully, though their approaches differ slightly. (Photo: Caitlin Cronenberg)

As for working out, their trick is to have a membership at fitness clubs that have gyms nationally. But if they’re in a more remote location, they turn to their gym in a bag. "I always travel with exercise bands and a TRX system, which allows me to get a solid workout in using my own bodyweight,” says Drew. When super-short on time, the duo will do a 20- to 30-minute CrossFit-style workout that includes moves such as squats, chin-ups, bench presses, and pushups.

Related: The Super-Fast Full-Body Workout  

The brothers have always lived an active lifestyle, even training in Shotokan karate as kids. And today, they make sure their workout regimen incorporates a wide range of exercises. “Variety is important to ensure your body doesn’t become used to a certain routine,” Drew says. That includes “sports for cardio — we love basketball, volleyball, and I even work up a sweat playing ping-pong. Yes, I’m that intense.”

Just as they work together to propel their business and careers forward, Jonathan and Drew also rely on each other as health partners. “Accountability is a strong motivator,” says Drew. “Having a training partner at the gym and someone who eats the same way helps make sure I stay on track.” That partnership helps the brothers make healthy choices despite 12- to-14-hour filming days. “After a long day of work, it takes real commitment to still do a workout,” says Jonathan. “Always keep your gym shoes, shorts, and a shirt in your laptop bag,” Drew adds.

There are two other simple health rules the brothers abide by: Drink water, and stretch regularly. “You’d be surprised how many people don’t get enough water daily, but this is such a simple way to help improve your overall health,” says Drew. And Jonathan always makes sure to stretch regularly — “with how physical renovations can get, the last thing I want is to pull a muscle.”

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