If huffing, puffing and sweating your way through a spin class doesn’t rock your boat and the gym just isn’t your ‘happy place’ then read on. I’ve got you covered.
We all know that exercise makes us feel good once the endorphins kick in, but that thought alone is often not enough to overcome our inertia and get us off the couch.
What if you could actually enjoy the process of getting fit? Working out really can be a fun and enjoyable experience, but you may need to look outside the box to find the activities you enjoy.
Kangoo Jumps
Not only are Kangoo Jumps rebound shoes super fun but they’re versatile too, providing a number of workout options. They also provide a safe alternative to running/jogging since the spring system compresses with each step, absorbing the impact which could otherwise cause damage to the joints.
You could attend a Kangoo Jumps class (although, as far as I can tell, these seem to be limited to major cities) or try one of the workouts on YouTube, such as this one:
You’ll just need to grab yourself a pair of Kangoo Jumps rebound shoes:
LARPing
In a live action role-playing game (LARP) the players physically portray their characters in an amazing adventure. You could be running for your life, wielding heavy weaponry or wearing a heavy costume, but you will be exercising your imagination as much as your body.
Volunteering
Participating in a community project such as cleaning up a park or beach will give you some exercise and help to improve your community too.
Green Gyms are fun and free outdoor sessions where you will be guided in practical activities to improve the outdoor environment, such as planting trees, sowing meadows and establishing wildlife ponds. The emphasis is very much on enhancing your health and fitness and Green Gym sessions can burn almost a third more calories than an average aerobics class. Sessions include a warm-up and a cool-down and there is a range of light to vigorous activities to suit all abilities.
Maracattack
Miranda can make anything fun and this exercise DVD is no exception. What’s not to love about shaking marraccas?!
All you need is a copy of the Maracattack DVD and some maracas to get you dancing around your living room with Miranda!
Tactical Laser Tag & Paintball
Perfect for the competitive types amongst you, laser tag and paintball can feel like being immersed in a real-life video game. It’s a fun way to spend time with your family or friends and you’ll get so caught up in the thrill of the game that you won’t realise how hard you are working.
Aqua Cycling
Aqua cycling has many benefits, but the main draw is cellulite reduction. The underwater cycling movement generates a constant “palper-rouler”/lymphatic massage which stimulates and breaks down fatty cells whilst the hydrostatic pressure of the water activates the muscles, triggers blood flow and creates a drainage effect to mobilize the fat and eliminate it via the circulation. The only downside is that the only UK classes I have been able to find are in London, making it quite pricey once travel is factored in.
Skiing on a Treadmill
Well, I’ve tried skiing and I have to say it just didn’t rock my world, and I’ve treated too many skiing injuries to persevere with trying to love it. That said, skiing is a great exercise and I’d love a slice of the fitness benefits. Perhaps this treadmill ski slope in London could be the answer.
Sit on a Gym Ball
If you’re totally hooked on your new video game or the latest series of your favourite TV show, at least trade the sofa for a gym ball. Your abdominal and back muscles will be constantly engaged in order to keep your balance.
Here are a few of my favourites:
Ice Skating
Ice Skating can be a fun challenge and is a great way to improve your strength coordination and balance, particularly working the muscles which stabilize your hips, knees and ankles. You may like to take lessons or simply visit your local rink with friends for fun. In the winter, outdoor ice rinks tend to pop up in towns and usually have a lovely atmosphere.
Grow your own!
We have grown vegetables and fruits in our back garden for as long as I can remember, but I got into it in a really big way in 2010. I can certainly vouch for the fact that starting your own vegetable garden is a really satisfying hobby that will both keep you fit and provide you with organically grown fruits, veggies and herbs that taste so much better than their shop-bought counterparts. Gardening burns 200 to 400 calories per hour, and all whilst enjoying nature and the fresh air.
Dancing
Now, I’ve been dancing since I was three years old and have qualified as a dance teacher, so you can assume that I’m going to be a little biased here when I tell you that dancing is a super fun way to keep fit. But really, there is a style for everyone. It is Ballroom and Latin American dancing that I love the most, but there are so many styles to choose from that you are bound to find one that appeals to you – from belly dancing to ballet, cheerleading, Argentine Tango, hitting the dancefloor in your local nightclub or even just cranking up the music and dancing around your living room. Or give one of these dance workout DVDs a try:
Hiking
Take your dog and your camera and head out into nature. Hiking can burn up to 500 calories per hour, depending on your pace and how hilly your route is, but you’ll be enjoying the scenery too much to notice that you are exercising. Why not pack a picnic, invite some friends and make a day of it?
If you prefer organised walks, you could check Meetup for groups near you or join The Ramblers. I particularly enjoy walks that are guided, where you get to learn as you walk – usually about the natural environment or the history of the area.
Or, if you fancy a real-life treasure hunt, give Geocaching a try.
Circus Skills
After a challenge and some childlike fun? Trying your hand at some circus skills may be just what you need.
Riding a unicycle can improve your coordination and balance as well as strengthening the abdominal muscles and leg muscles and building a healthier core. The upright, anatomically correct position of the back, neck and head – as opposed to that adopted when riding a regular bicycle – is also healthier for your body.
Bouncing on a pogo stick can be an intense, yet low-impact, plyometric exercise. Most of the effort is produced by the core, especially the abdominal muscles, but you will also be working your leg and buttock muscles and building strength in your back. Balance is required too, of course! Small jumps of 6 to 8 inches will burn about 600 calories per hour and higher jumps will burn even more.
Zombies, Run!
Zombies, Run! is an immersive running game for Android and iOS platforms that will see you running to survive the zombie apocalypse! As you run, you will collect items to help the town survive and listen to audio narrations to uncover the story.
The app records your distance, time, pace, and calories burned and you can also opt to participate in a zombie chase which requires you to run at least 20% faster for a short period of time – thus constituting a form of interval training. The incentive? If you’re not fast enough you’ll be caught by zombies and lose your supplies. Harsh!
Between runs, you can use the supplies you have collected to enhance the township, unlock more missions and influence story events. Hence, the more you run, the more you are rewarded.
Expansions have been released annually and there is also a 5k training app which consists of an 8-week programme that is ideal for beginners.
Balance Boards
Surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding are excellent for improving strength, coordination and balance but they’re not necessarily easily accessible for everyone. Fear not. There are a number of balance boards on the market that these athletes frequently use for training but that we can all take advantage of to get those same fitness benefits… whilst having a whole lot of fun in the process! These balance boards usually consist of a plank set on a cylinder that allows the body to pivot back and forth. One of my favourites is the Indo Board:
Climbing
Climbing is a great all-round exercise and it’s a fun social activity that could make an active alternative to meeting friends for a meal. The climbing routes on indoor climbing walls are graded so it’s a suitable activity for all abilities and leveling up as you improve is so satisfying.
Zwift
Zwift is a massively multiplayer online cycling game and training program.
Hula Hooping
Remember how much fun this was as a kid? Well, it’s great exercise too, especially for trimming your waist and hips and strengthening your core. These benefits are enhanced by the design of Powerhoops, with the weight of the hoops and their wavy interior creating pulsing contractions in your abdominal muscles. Look out for a class near you or grab one of their DVDs and workout at home.
Rollerblading
Would you believe that rollerblading can burn a whopping 900 calories per hour?! In my head, rollerblading is synonymous with sunshine, blue skies and the 26-mile Bike Path in Santa Monica, CA. For the rest of us, we’re just going to have to adapt and overcome… and use our imaginations!
Wii Fit U
I’m a real fan of the Wii Fit U and, as a physiotherapist, I have recommended it to and used it with a number of my patients – both adults and children. It combines fitness with fun games, exercises and activities. You can choose between yoga, muscle strengthening, aerobic exercise, dance and balance.
Rebounding & Trampolining
Rebounding can be a really fun way to keep fit, and you can even do it at home whilst watching the TV! If you’d like more info, you may like to read my post about the Health Benefits of Rebounding and discover why I believe the Bellicon rebounder is the crème de la crème.
Alternatively, why not head to your local trampoline park for a fun day out?
And finally… laugh!
I asked Google if laughter is an exercise and the answer was a resounding YES! Laughing exercises several muscles in the body, including your abdomen, back, shoulders, and facial muscles. It has been likened to a mini workout crunch and also provides a workout for the respiratory system and the cardiovascular system. Laughing 100 times a day can be the equivalent of 15 minutes of cardio exercise.
