Fun, Alternative Ways to Work Out

08.03.2022

Not everyone (myself included) appreciates the joys of athletic training. You know what I mean; we all have that friend who wakes up every day at 5:30am to do a run or workout before the morning commute. Sometimes I wonder about these people – are they actually enjoying themselves, or is it all just a show and secretly they long to give up on this exhausting routine? If you’re like me, the thought of jumping out of bed for a 5am workout may seem a laughably distant possibility. But don’t worry, there are lots of different ways to approach health & fitness, and not all of them include running a marathon before breakfast. If you’re someone who wants to lose weight and keep fit without becoming Rocky Balboa, read on for some painless, simple and fun strategies to work out not burn out.

1. Go for a walk: Running is not for everyone and that’s totally okay. Walking at a faster pace, enough to get your heart rate up a little, can be just as effective as running. Explore the woods solo or with a friend, take your dog on a walk; just go wherever appeals to you.
2. Rollerblade runner: Strapping on a pair of ‘inline’ roller skates not only targets and tones your leg muscles and your core, it’s also a really fun activity to do with friends that doesn’t feel much like exercise. Plus, a Harvard Medical School study found that an hour of roller skating can burn anywhere from 400 to 600 calories.
3. Dance, dance, dance: It’s time to try out that local dance class you’ve always avoided. You could try salsa, hip hop or Zumba – anything that gets your heart rate up. There are so many styles and all of them will have a level suitable for you. Without realising it, while dancing you are doing a cardio workout which will burn fat and tone muscles. You’ll probably sweat like a dog, but you’ll be having a lot of fun!
4. Just keep swimming: Swimming is an exercise that burns calories without any risk of damaging joints, and you don’t need an Olympic-sized pool to swim laps. Just don’t forget, after eating you should wait at least 30 minutes before swimming. It’s one of the cleanest and most enjoyable ways to work out.
5. Kick some ass: Have you ever tried boxing, kick-boxing or any other martial art? If not, why not now?! Channel your inner Rocky or Jackie Chan, don the gloves and start punching and kicking the hell outta some sandbags and pads. Most moves provide you with a complete full-body workout. Practicing martial arts will boost your strength and cardio-respiratory fitness, as well as improving your balance, flexibility, reactivity and coordination.
6. Pedal yourself happy: If you are looking for a fun aerobic/cardio activity, then look no further than the humble bike ride. Enjoy the beautiful outdoors while riding up and down hills and flat stretches. It’s the perfect way to distract yourself and let your mind wander. A perfect cycle ride can be the best therapy.
7. It’s yoga o’clock: There’s no denying that yoga is a great workout, and nowadays there are so many different versions at your fingertips. There’s hot yoga, vinyasa yoga, power yoga, outdoor yoga, stand-up paddle board yoga, naked yoga, boxing yoga, yoga with cats, broga yoga…the list goes on and on. Try them all and you’ll definitely find the one you love!
8. Partner up: It can be hard to motivate yourself alone, but teaming up with a partner is a great way to boost your confidence and your likelihood to keep up with the training. Studies have shown that working out with a friend makes physical activity much more enjoyable and motivating.

As you can see above, you don’t need a gym to get in shape or lose some weight. Hopefully our list helps in your search for fun and creative ways to exercise. Share this with your friends & family, and don’t forget to follow us on social media.