The Top 10 Fun Ways To Exercise
I’m going to preface this by stating that I love exercise. However, sledging through standard gym routines can take a toll on our body and mind. With the weather finally starting to change here, this Top 10 list offers some ideas to break out and inject new energy into your fitness plan…..
10. Take a Hike – I would never claim to be an outdoorsman, however I have had the good fortune of hiking with experienced outdoors people! Escaping to the wilderness is a great way to detach from our normal routine, and find peace in the serenity of nature…..bringing us back to our natural state of being (hopefully)
9. Find a workout partner – having someone to compete with, talk to, and encourage us can really make a workout more enjoyable.
8. Try Parkour – this is for the more adventerous and able bodied…..I nearly split my pants trying this. While taking photos with a wedding party a few summers ago, we were hanging out inside the limo bus, and we noticed this shirtless meat-head hopping bushes and railings across the street…one thing led to another and we decided to see if we could do it. Well it was much harder than in looked, and it wasn’t the best idea to be trying this in our wedding attire…
7. Complete timed workouts - This way you can repeat them later to try and beat your previous time. This is the best way to compete against yourself!
6. Try Yoga - It is a good way to work the body and quiet the mind.
5. Join an organized recreational sports league - Creating a social aspect to our fitness plan is a great way to stay motivated. Joining a league will give you the best of both worlds. Try soccer or ultimate frisbee to improve your social life, and increase your aerobic capacity.
4. Learn a new skill/sport – I took up rowing in the summer as a student – what a work out! Sure beats the rowing machine at the gym. Just trying to balance the boat is a tremendous core workout! Other new skills/sports to try might be martial arts, ice skating,or roller blading.
3. Sign up for a 5k Run, Triathlon, or an Adventure Race – I’ll be participating in my first 5K soon!
2. Get Wet – Swimming is an amazing cardiovascular workout, that can help improve muscle tone. Just look at the typical swimmers body….
Ok, maybe these aren’t typical swimmers bodies…but you get the point. Swimming is an amazing workout!
1. Just Dance – The physical demands of dancing are great, but it is also fun. If you have two left feet you can start off with an introductory level class, or just freestyle in your house! It is a good way to have fun, and shake it up a bit in a spontaneous way. Plus dancing without the aid of alcohol is a great way to build confidence!
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I like the picture at the top of this post although I can’t believe this guy is wearing that in the snow. His hat doesn’t even match his shorts! How embarrassing!
-Kelly
Kelly,
I love his outfit as well!
Rowing is incredible. I took a class a few summers ago and boy what a workout both physically and mentally. I now have a kayak and go out on the river near by me a couple of times a week. Great for the core. And you can do some fun interval stuff with it as well. And when you’re done, your upper back feels amazing!
Mike,
Rowing is a mental workout for sure. I purchased a kayak a few years ago from a friend, but never used it….ended up giving to somebody who really wanted it. Now I want one again! Have you ever tried dragon boat racing? If you ever want to tear up your back muscles try it, just be sure to paddle on both sides of the boat.
Joining a sports league sounds like a good idea. Seems like this has become less and less popular with adults and it is unfortunate as it also increases a person’s a sense of community which is good for mental well being.
Thanks for including a picture of Amanda Beard. My keyboard is drenched in drool…
-Sam
Sam,
It is a great way to build community, and get a workout! Depending on where you live, their could be lots of options, in some areas these leagues are non-existent.
I’ve taken your advice and have joined a rec. summer ice hockey league. Looking forward to learning a new sport (I’m up to 89 games played – I think for hockey, I can still claim rookie ignorance… no?) and meeting new people. Plus some exercise!
I have never been able to “workout” and found that sport has provided me with a sustainable source of physicality. (Did that make sense? – I think so).
I will also go on-the-record – and post here for all to see – and formally invite you, and your lady friend, to “go down the river” with me. Try standing in a canoe for 4-5 hours! WORKOUT! And fish!
There is fertile ground, using the above for a pun or limerick, but I will resist.
PEACE OUT and see you soon for some fishing bro. HOLLA.
Kipfer,
You are a great player (no longer a rook!). Totally down for fishing by the way!
Jordan,
I’m all about the rec sports leagues. I’m fortunate enough to have access to all kinds of intramural sports at my company as well. This is by far the most fun way to exercise in my opinion.
As an aside, I’m actually going on my first hiking trip this weekend and I’m pretty excited about it!
Alykhan
Alykhan,
I noticed from reading your blog that you are a big soccer fan. Joining a recreational soccer league is a great way to get active. Have a great time on the hiking trip.
Good list of tips the message I actually get is that I’m reminded there are many ways to stay fit and have some fun too rather than just dredge away on a treadmill.
Yoga and Martial arts would be my pick
Raymond
Nice ways to have fun while exercising. Once exercise doesn’t become a burden, it’s much easier to do on a daily basis which will improve overall health, fitness level, and appearance. Even though fads like Zumba tend to come and go, as long as people have fun with them, I’m all for it. Personally, I enjoy a good boxing workout.
Basketball will always be my first love and my first choice for staying active. It’s an amazing feeling to be able to do something for the pure joy of it and know it’s good for your health too.
Dancing is up there on my list as well:)
Thanks for sharing that first pic. That baby is traumatized for life!
Love it! Doing stuff you enjoy and getting a workout…what could be better? That’s soccer and hockey for me! I am always hesitant to join really competitive leagues as I age. Some people play a reckless style, and I don’t want to suffer injury.
I always wanted to try Parkour. Well I kinda tried it years ago but was being more stupid then really trying.
Snow