Exercise. The word alone can send people running for the hills. The thought of being hot, sweaty, and sore makes them cringe and avoid eye contact with the workout gear shoved in the back of their dresser.
But it doesn’t have to. Believe it or not, exercise can be fun. You should enjoy and look forward to your workouts.
If you aren’t, then it’s time to try something new. The good news is there are many fun ways to move and work your body, including ones you’ve probably never considered.
In this post, you’ll find a whole selection of different fun workouts to try. Let’s dive in and help you find a workout you can actually enjoy.
Walk
Walking is easy, accessible, and effective. It’s a wonderful way to start incorporating movement into your routine or supplementing your regular workout. Try speed walking or walking in an area with hills for an extra cardio challenge.
Hike
Hiking is another way to get outside and get your workout without feeling like you’re exercising. No matter your skill level, you can find a hike for you- anything from a gentle forest stroll to climbing a mountain.
Indoor Rock Climbing
Rocking climbing is a fun challenge that works your arms, back, legs, and more. If you find a rock climbing gym near you, you can also find someone to teach you and help you get the most out of your climbs. Try harder walls or even free climb without ropes or harnesses as you get better.
Dancing
You don’t have to be a good dancer to get the benefits of doing it. Even the worst dancer can burn calories and fat by dancing around their room in private. But if you want more structure to your workouts, consider looking up routines or classes for:
- Zumba
- Ballroom
- Square dancing
- Swing dancing
- Dance workouts
Ballet
Ballet often seems like a high-level sport for skinny young girls. But anyone can do ballet at home with only an instructional video and a chair to use as a barre. If you like it, look for a local adult beginner’s class to enjoy the exercise with others.
Barre
If full-on ballet isn’t your thing, try a barre workout. It combines ballet, pilates, and strength training to help you become fit and flexible. It also uses equipment, such as weights, that you won’t find in a ballet class.
Martial Arts
Haven’t we all dreamed of having a Karate Kid-worthy fight, taking down enemies left and right? Why not take a martial arts class and learn the skills to do that? There are many types you can try, such as:
- Karate
- Kung fu
- Jui-Jitsu
- Capoeira
- Tai chi
- Aikido
- Judo
- Tae kwon do
- And more!
Bike
If you have the option, try biking places instead of driving your car. By making the switch, you’ll get great exercise and burn plenty of calories. If that’s not an option, try taking weekly bike rides around your neighborhood or local bike trails.
Roller Skating
Roller skating works your legs, butt, and back while also being a great form of cardio. You can find a pair of skates relatively cheaply at thrift stores or used on eBay. All you need besides them is protective equipment and a flat area to skate, such as your driveway.
Aerial Hoop or Silks
Have you ever dreamed of flying? You can imitate that feeling by learning to do aerial hoops or silks, leaving you sore in parts of your body you didn’t even know you had. If you have the space, you can even try them at home with the proper equipment.
Jump Rope
You can get a jump rope on Amazon for under $20 and have unlimited fun. Jump around and learn different moves, or find an online jump rope workout. You’ll not only enjoy yourself, but you’ll get to reconnect with your inner child.
Pound Fitness
If you’ve ever thought playing drums looked cool, you’ll love Pound Fitness. Inspired by the experience of playing the drums, it uses soft-tipped drumsticks to hit the ground and your body while you dance around. It’s dynamic and lots of fun.
Power Yoga
Do you think yoga is all slow movements and breathing exercises? Then, you need to try power yoga. This variation of traditional yoga will get your core, arms, and butt fired up by including difficult holds, planks, and power moves with your yoga practice.
Active Video Games
Video games are one of the things people point to for making people lazy. While that can be true, you can get in a good workout with active video games that make you get up and move. Think of Dance Dance Revolution, Wii Sports, or Pokemon Go. If you don’t have anything like that, try playing your favorite video games while using a treadmill or walking pad.
Pole Fitness
Pole Fitness has a bit of a reputation for being a sexual sport. But it doesn’t have to be. A basic pole fitness class is a wonderful form of aerobics that works your arms, legs, and core as you learn to swing around the pole. It’s a fun, different way to move your body.
Calisthenics
Do weights bore you? Why not try calisthenics instead? Rather than use weights to build muscle, you use your own body weight and a series of escalating movements to gain strength. Over time, you’ll build an impressive skill set that can include handstands, pistol squats, and the human flag.
Tips to Have a Fun Workout
Choose Something You Enjoy
Liking your workout is always the first step to having an enjoyable workout. If you enjoy the type of fitness you do, you’ll be more motivated to do it, even on your worst days.
Keep It Short
Workouts don’t have to be an hour long. Thirty minutes is ideal, but do what you can, especially when learning to build a workout habit. Even ten minutes of movement is better than none.
Take a Class
Doing exercise with others is another great way to enjoy your workout. It can bring new life and energy to a workout you’re bored of. Other people can also push you to do more than you would alone.
Think Outside the Box
Not all exercise looks the way you think. For example, climbing a tree is good for your heart and arms. Little things like that can add up and make a great supplement to your regular workouts.
Have Goals
Workouts can get boring if you aren’t working toward something. Creating a goal with your fitness, such as running a faster mile or losing a certain amount of weight, can help exercise be more enjoyable as you reach your goals.
Exercise is as fun as you make it. Think creatively and find new ways to work out this week to breathe fresh life into your fitness routine.
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