Most people want to be more healthy, but when it comes to putting in the time and work, often that’s the hard bit. When we think about exercise, I often think about the gym – which is quite intimidating – and having to use new, tiring equipment to work out. However, there are a lot of ways to exercise that won’t feel like going to the gym. Places you can go and activities that you can enjoy, on your own or with friends, that will encourage you to exercise without having to feel like you are going to a gym to specifically work out.
Ice Skating
In the wintertime, temporary ice skating rings pop up everywhere, as a romantic night out with your partner. However, you can ice skate any time of year – going to local indoor ice skating rinks and renting skates to skate around with. Ice skating does have a learning curve – it does take time to learn to be confident on your skates, but once you have it down, you can use ice skating to work nearly every muscle group in your body. Ice skating improves balance through strengthening your joint muscles, improves coordination, and can help a lot with weight management as you use your body to move around. It’s also a great way to relieve stress – as you learn new moves and have something to focus on.
Horse Riding
If you’ve never been a horse before, you might not think of it as exercise, but you’d be mistaken! Horse back riding can help your core strength, as you keep yourself up on the horse and use your abductor muscles to stay in your saddle. Staying up on a saddle is actually great for both your core and your leg muscles, as you use your legs quite a bit when it comes to holding on While riding, you spend a lot of time working on your balance and coordination, as you work to keep yourself up and your horse picks up speed. The faster the horse, the more calories you’ll burn! However, you will need to book up time at a stable – which could result in you falling in love with your horse and needing to get one yourself.
Nintendo Ring Fit
If you already have a Nintendo Switch, and you are looking to work out from home, you could always pick up a Nintendo Ring Fit. This game and controller will allow you to work out, at your own pace, at home, while playing a video game about fighting off an evil dragon-like creature, drinking smoothies, and otherwise conquering the land. The Ring Fit controller has two components – the first being a strap that one of your controllers goes into, which is Velcro around your leg. The other component is a giant circle, which you will use in game to showcase your movements, squeeze or pull to attack, and much more. Over time, you can unlock various workout moves, to continue your adventure, and everything is tracked within the game – including your heart beat at the end of each workout.
Some great ideas here – I have not really felt like going back to the gym since the pandemic to be honest.
Hopefully these ideas help!
What fun ideas and I expect they don’t even feel like doing exercise x
They do not at all!
I keep hearing about Nintendo Ring Fit! A friend of mine started his fitness journey using it, and it sounds fun! Definitely need to get my hands on that one.
It is really a fun product.
Oooh, I hadn’t heard of the Ring Fit! I used to have the Wii workout game that had the balance board, but it’s been years since I used that. I’ll have to look into this as a fun way to exercise.
It is similar, but really updated!
Those are great options. I love doing fun things that don’t feel like exercise, but are still exercise.
Same – I had the idea of actually having to exercise.
I love horse riding but I’ve never done it! I would love to try it, I should!
I hop you can someday!
I adore horse back riding! Doing fun activities while getting a work out in is a win-win situation.
It really is!
I cancelled my gym membership a few years ago. I think I am actually more active now than when I was “going” to the gym!
It is sometimes so hard to actually work out at a gym.
I’ve been horseback riding and it’s INTENSE. That’s a real workout!
It really is!
Great ideas- fun while exercising. At the moment I tend to watch a good drama while doing an online workout or run. I’d love a Nintendo ring fit xxx
It’s smart to watch something fun and distracting!