While some people thrive when it comes to exercising, others aren’t so fond of the physical activity. It’s hard, takes time, and not everyone enjoys working out at the gym in front of others. However, regardless of our opinions, it’s still essential for our health, so we should all try our best to get at least 30 minutes of moderate activity a day.
While you can choose to follow strict routines and schedules, you should also remember there are other ways to get your blood pumping.
If you’re not a fan of regular workouts, then keep on reading! We are going to discuss ten non-traditional ways to exercise so that you can keep fit and healthy while still having fun!
Let’s get started!
Jump
Jumping is one of the best exercises that you can do, and we aren’t talking about burpees or squat jumps! Spending some time on a trampoline can be an extremely beneficial high impact activity, as it causes less joint impact than jogging. It can even help develop coordination, motor skills and lead to stronger bones.
If you prefer sticking to the ground, then try getting out a jump rope! This popular kid’s activity is just as much fun or adults and can help burn some major calories. You can even get your friends involved! Double Dutch anyone?
Climb
As a child, you probably remember having fun climbing trees. While you might not be able to do that now, rock climbing is a great alternative! It’s low impact, a great way to strengthen your muscles, and can improve your overall flexibility. There are different levels depending on your current skill, and most centers provide you with all the necessary equipment. However, if you purchase your own, you can head out into nature and experience some of the nation’s best climbing destinations.
Swim
Swimming is one activity that doesn’t even feel like a sport! You can have fun, enjoy the cool water and play water games with your family and friends. There are so many health benefits of swimming, which make it the perfect summer exercise. While doing laps is the best way to build up your endurance a cardiovascular fitness, even just slowly moving around can help take the impact stress off of your body. It’s also classified as an all-over body workout, as it uses nearly all of your muscles.
Dance
Everybody loves dancing, but did you know that it’s a great way to get your 30 minutes of daily exercise? Alongside the many physical benefits, it is even known to improve your cognitive performance. It can boost your mood, challenge your brain to recall specific patterns, and help improve memory. So make sure to pump those tunes and let yourself go completely loose! Don’t want the neighbors to complain? Grab an iPhone 12 armband, so you don’t need to worry about a thing!
Hike If you’re looking for a way to get outside and explore nature, then hiking is the perfect workout for you. It’s much gentler on the body than jogging but still helps lower body fat as well as blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Just make sure that you always head out with family or friends, or at least let someone know where you are going. It’s easy to lose your direction when you aren’t experienced. Check out these other tips if you happen to get lost on the hiking trail.
Ride
Riding a bike is another popular form of exercise; however, today, it is generally forgotten about. People choose to stick to an exercise bike in the gym rather than getting outside and enjoying the fresh air. It’s one of the best activities for joint mobility and muscle strength, and you get more mental benefits if you turn it into a hobby rather than a chore.
Not a fan of pushbikes? Then why not try getting a scooter or skateboard. If you’re feeling really crazy, you might even look into horseback riding!
Game
When most people think of gaming, they usually imagine sitting down on the couch with all their favorite junk foods around them. While that certainly can be the case, there are also ways to combine both exercising and gaming into one activity! Today, many consoles are coming out with new “exergames” so that you do your workout while having fun at the same time. You can compete against others or choose to do it alone, but either way, it’s a great unique way to record your daily progress.
Kayak
While kayaking might not be possible for those that live in the city, it’s a super fun exercise for those that live near water. It’s terrific for strengthening your upper body and core muscles, as well as increasing your stamina. It’s challenging; you can choose to compete, and you’re out soaking up that great vitamin D. Even just incorporating it into your summer routine can be a great idea.
Clean
While cleaning around the home might not be as intensive as a gym workout, it is possible to turn it into a full-on routine! You might not realize it, but completing activities such as making the beds, vacuuming, scrubbing, and dusting can burn quite a few calories. Combine them with a few simple moves like lounges and yoga poses, and you’re burning just as much as any of the other things on this list.
Parkour
Lastly, the 10th non-traditional fun way to workout on this list is to combine some of the above! Parkour has become increasingly popular thanks to television shows like Ninja Warrior and is a fun way to improve your body’s endurance. Just remember to be extremely careful when trying out new moves and always do them in a safe environment with precautions in place. It might seem challenging at first, but the more your practice, the easier it will become!
And that’s it! These were some unique activities to make you workout more interesting! What do you think? Are there any other non-traditional exercises that you would add to this list?