Ways to get exercise without trying
While most of our blogs are about how to follow exercise programmes or the benefits of one type of exercise compared to another, occasionally we like to throw in a different approach. This article is all about how to exercise without trying.
We realise not everyone is a gym addict and, for some, the thought of a regular exercise programme just induces a cold shudder. Well, here are some novel and not so novel ideas for you to get exercise without trying.
Hiking – especially with friends
Hiking is one of the best ways to see the country, get to know the local area and have long conversations with friends. It is amazing how many miles you can cover without realising it when you set out for a ‘walk with friends’. This steady aerobic exercise is good for general fitness, good for muscle tone and is a great calorie burner.
Hit the dance floor
Anyone who has ever been to a dance class or even strutted their stuff on the dance floor at a disco or in a nightclub will know that just a few minutes of throwing down some moves will leave you drenched in sweat. It is the ultimate in cardio workouts but also helps with flexibility, muscle tone and coordination.
Clean the house
Vacuuming the house, wiping the floor, cleaning the windows – house work is an aerobic workout, whatever you are doing. As you rush up and down the stairs, reach up for those hard to get to corners or lift furniture to clean under tables, cupboards and beds, you are getting a great all-over work out. Flexibility, muscle tone (particularly the upper body) aerobic work – an hour of house work will burn through the calories.
Parkour
It might be an activity that has ‘youth culture’ written all over it but actually, climbing onto obstacles and jumping off is something most people can do – to some degree. You might be a seasoned Parkour-ist leaping off high walls or you might be a parent just having a bit of fun with your kid in the play area. Just let the inner-child in you free to explore, run and jump.
Playground activity
Along the same lines as Parkour. If you are taking your kids to a play area, have a go on the slide, clamber over the monkey bars or balance on the balance beam – you can also create your own circuit area to complete while your children play.
Get on your bike
Whether it is cycling to college or work, cycling to the shops, going for a family bike ride or hammering out a 50 mile sportive – cycling is fun and it is good for you.
Listen to an audio book while working out
Do you get bored to tears on the treadmill? Why not plug into an audio book and help the time pass by catching up on that book you have been meaning to read. This is a case of bundling something you know you should do, with something you would like to do. Try listening while you workout on one of the many machines in the Outlooks Gym.
Walk while you talk
This is a great way of getting off your backside in the workplace. Pacing the room, or walking up and down stairs, while on the phone will not only get more steps into your daily routine, it will also keep you more alert during the phone call as oxygen and red blood cells are careering around the body at a higher rate than when you are sedentary.
Climb a tree
Your level of safety and ability on this will be dependent on your experience here, but do you remember climbing trees as a kid and loving every minute of it. Even if it’s just hanging from a tree branch or trying to scramble up to a low branch, it can be a great way to “exercise.”
These are just a few ways that you can get a daily dose of exercise without trying
