Not excited to go to the gym?
You’re not alone.
Studies show that about half of Americans feel the same, regularly avoiding the gym—and exercise as a result. But avoiding the gym is only OK if you manage to get workouts elsewhere. Its benefits are irreplaceable, for your physical and mental health alike.
So what do you do to avoid the gym but still get the exercise you need?
Get creative.
1. Get your dance on
Dancing is a great cardio workout.
2. Finally try yoga
We’ve talked before about some of the amazing effects yoga can have.
3. Join a sports league
There are recreational leagues for just about every sport in your area, but all you really need are some friends and a basketball court. Or a softball diamond. Or a bowling alley.
4. Get your (video) game on
When you just can’t wring out any extra time in the day for a workout, video games can come to the rescue. With the right games, you can get your daily exercise in without compromising on your time for fun.
Available on console and PC, there are many fitness-centric games to consider, including:
- Wii Fit
- Just Dance 2019
- Fitness Boxing
- Mario Tennis Aces
- Shape Up
- Zumba World Fitness Party
- Kinect Training
Each game introduces exercises you must complete to make progress in the game and move toward the goal. You can usually play these games on your own or alongside a friend for additional fun and motivation.
5. Run (or walk) with purpose
Charity runs and walks are a great way to pump up your cardio regimen while helping some great causes.
6. Bodyweight training
Strength training without equipment? Sign us up.
Common bodyweight exercises include:
- Planks
- Pushups
- Burpees
- Squats
- Lunges
- Wall sits
- Calf raises
- Arm circles
- Crunches
Through these exercises and their many variants, you can strengthen your whole body using your own weight as resistance. In creating your routine, make sure to:
- Use a balanced mix of movements that work each area of your body equally.
- Start with 10 reps per set and work your way up to 15.
- Track your progress to properly vary your exercises and increase the difficulty level.
With the right approach, you should start to see (and feel) the results in no time.
When you make these activities a part of your everyday, you can ditch the gym for good — without skipping the workouts your mind and body needs to thrive.