Exercise(opens in a new tab) is good for our heart, muscles, and lungs, and helps us release stress and extra energy that builds up inside ourselves. It’s something that, no matter how old or young we are, we all need to do in order to keep our bodies strong and stay healthy. Unfortunately, many people avoid exercise because they feel incapable of it, or are intimidated by it. Part of the problem is that many people believe you need to spend hours at a gym lifting heavy weights or running miles on a treadmill to get a good workout. This is simply not true. Any time you are up and moving, you are getting exercise. That means you can turn daily activities into exercise and, most importantly, have fun while you’re doing it! Keep reading to discover a few ways you can have fun while exercising—without the expensive gym membership or insane workout plans!
Dance
Dancing is a wonderful form of exercise, and it’s a total body workout. When you dance, you get a solid cardio workout, strengthen your muscles, and improve your flexibility. The best part is that it only takes about a half hour of dancing to your favorite tunes to provide you with your daily dose of exercise. If you want a more structured form of dance exercise, we recommend taking a class, like salsa dancing or Zumba. You can find these classes available at local community centers, dance studios, or gyms.
Play Outside with Your Kids
The next time your children, grandchildren, or nieces or nephews ask you to play outside, unleash your inner child and go for it! Playing a game of tag, hopscotch, or jump rope is a fun way to get fresh air while moving your body. You’ll have so much fun, you’ll forget you’re even exercising. It’s important for both kids and adults to get out and move, so try scheduling a half hour of outdoor play every day(opens in a new tab).
Join a Club Sport
If you love watching football, basketball, baseball, or any other sport on the big screen, we know you will enjoy getting off the couch and playing your favorite sport. It doesn’t matter if you your were colleges all-star player, or if you have two left feet. Anyone can participate and have a good time when she participates in club sports. Rally a bunch of your friends or family members together, join a team, and get a workout on the field together.
Take a Hike
If you dislike running on a treadmill, but want to improve your endurance, build strength, and get a good cardio work out ,take a hike(opens in a new tab)! When you hit the trails, you get the same amount of exercise as you would on a treadmill, but you get to enjoy the beautiful outdoors and work out at a more comfortable pace. Most people get so wrapped up in the beauty of nature that they forget they are even working out! Pick a cool day, invite a friend, be sure to bring plenty of water, and plan an exciting day on the trails.
