We all know that we “should” exercise. We’re told this time and time again.
There are our time restraints that always seem to get in the way. So many things to do for other people, long hours at work, too tired in the evenings because of all this.
There must be other ways around getting our and just moving our bodies… and thank goodness there is. There are so many ways to do this. We need to really enjoy what we are doing for us to feel like it isn’t a strain to go out and do it. Imagine finding something that you didn’t even think about as exercise but actually ticked that box.
We all have different boxes to tick when it comes to fun, in an outdoorsy, fitnessy type of way. We have all heard of the normal, go for a run, or a bike , or a swim. Maybe this to you just isn’t fun. We need to start to get into Exercising without exercising, just go out and do something that gets your heart rate going and maybe even gets a sweat up
Lets explore some other more alternative ways of getting this done:
Rock climbing
There are of course both indoor and outdoor variants of this. If just starting out, finding an indoor climbing centre could be the easiest start. The amount of strength you build up here is huge. There are climbing walls set up for complete beginners all the way up to highly advanced. Even the simplest of walls get you working and they also allow you feeling of immense satisfaction of getting to the top. Progressing through the walls will in turn increase your stamina, strength and co-ordination massively.
Hiking with a friend(s)
Just getting out in nature is a win in itself and doing it with a friend can make it even more enjoyable. Doing it with others can give you a level of accountability and something that will be easier to maintain. Depending on where you live, you should be able to find all sorts of tracks, long, short, uphill or downhill. Find something that works for you and makes you really feel a desire to get out into the nature.
Go dancing
Some people love it, some people hate (or at least pretend to). I was one of the ones in the second group. I just never dared to and when I actually bit the bullet and tried it out it was so much fun and I was dripping from head to toe. I managed to get more than just a workout, I even got to overcome a few fears and have a good laugh with my wife and kids.
Try a martial art
This alternative could fall into the “I can’t do that category”. Martial arts are these days just another form of fitness that are put together for essentially anyone to be able to participate. Again, if this is something that has a some stage been something of a curiosity to try just find a place close by and try it. There is nothing to lose and you just never know, you could look back in 10 years time and you’re still doing it
Use a standing desk
Now this is maybe not the most exciting one but if you work in a way that you are stuck behind a desk a lot of hours every day, just being able to stand whilst working sometimes will actually do wonders for you. The negative effects of constantly sitting behind a desk will be reduced at the same time your posture will improve and your back muscles, whilst they will feel very tired at times you will be building them up.
Dinghy sailing
This isn’t yacht sailing I’m talking about here, but boats 2 to 4 meters long. On a reasonably windy day you can get a workout like you wouldn’t believe. The constant moving to keep the boat on course, the strength required to trim the sails etc… will keep both your mind and your muscles on their toes
Horse riding
This is maybe something you think of as the horse is doing all the work, well yes the horse is of course doing a lot of work but so are you. It takes a fair bit of stamina to continually control your posture while a horse is moving. It also takes a lot of strength and pretty much throughout the entire body. Once you have been on a horse for an hour or so you will really feel this. If you love horses, give it a try .
Go surfing
This one is maybe a little more obvious with the fitness demands on the body. The main part here is that something as simple as going out for a surf can really keep you fit and in a way that you’re not even trying. By the, when I said “the simpleness of going for a surf”, I myself am at a very early stage of being able to surf and can barely stand on the board yet, but that challenge alone will keep me coming back for more and I quite honestly think I’m getting more of a workout than the others around me with my constant falling off the board.
Handstands
Have you watched your kids or others doing this and thought “that would be pretty cool”. It does take a bit of getting used to standing upside down, but the strength you build up doing this is well worth the fun endured J. Now I’m no expert here I have tried it a bit and it’s a lot of fun trying and a great thing to do with the family. If you have kids, its nice for them to be better than us parents at things sometimes… because they will be 😉
Play WITH your kid at the playground
We have all spent plenty of time with our kids at the playground sitting, watching them play, drinking our Latte’s. Why not get active with them. I’m sure there would be other parents there that would also be inspired to do the same if they saw you doing it. A playground doesn’t have to be just for kids.
Get out the old hola hoop
Yes that was a while ago but its just as effective now as it was then. If you have one lying around you can just grab it and even watch TV at the same time. Its something you can have handy to you and spend a few minutes here and there.
Try fencing
Now if you’re thinking building a fence, well that will do the job as well but I was more thinking the sport of fencing. It may be a tricky one to find but you never know your luck.
Throw around the Frisbee
Did you love doing this as a kid? Why not throw one away now?
Do some work in the garden…
This may seem like a funny one but if you do this with the intention of using it as a form of exercise as well, it will not only get you active but will also give you a great looking garden and maybe even some great organic veggies.
If you gardened by bending over instead of sitting down (making sure you don’t round your back of course) to strengthen your back, hamstrings and abs, or did squats when you went down to pick things up or even. There are plenty of small things you can add to give you a pretty full workout, again without really focusing too much on it.
Fill in your time between commercials
Spend those few minutes we get between commercials to do something like sit-ups, star jumps, or maybe even have some music ready to get down and boogie on your lounge floor while you wait.
Climb those stairs
Do you live in an apartment? Do you normally take the elevator when you get the chance? Just these few extra steps taken climbing a few steps instead of just standing still adds to yours days activity account. Why not even, if you live in an apartment actually go out and climb 5 levels of stairs… and just keep building from there. Its like having a gym right outside you apartment and one that doesn’t cost a cent.
Bike to work
Depending on where you live and how far you have to work, biking there doesn’t have to take that much longer than taking the car. If this is an option for you it will even make things cheaper than before as your petrol bill will be lower and we even get an added effect of being nice to the environment. Maybe you live a bit too far from you work so maybe just do it once or twice a week. Everything counts and maybe after a few weeks or months you will be outdoing what you ever thought would be possible
So I hope something here has stimulated some interest and can get you moving without having to put in any great effort. If you find it fun, you will keep doing it.
Getting fit never has to be about having to spend lots of money or doing things you “should do” but don’t enjoy.
We are all different and that means we can do different things,
Find something and enjoy it
