Who said exercise had to be boring?
Exercise is something your body appreciates in any form or fashion. Regular physical activity benefits you by reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and boosting your mental health. Getting a good workout can be fun whether you want to do it alone or with your family, but the best exercises are the ones you enjoy doing the most. Here are eight ways you can work out this year.
1. Joining A Gym
One of the best tips for achieving your fitness goals is joining a gym. You can find these centers in your area and see what each offer. They usually provide an assortment of workout equipment, such as treadmills for cardio or dumbbells for strength training.
You’ll have full access to the machines, so try out different ones to see what you enjoy the most. Most gyms have a wide range of hours to fit your schedule as well.
2. Group Exercise
Some people prefer to exercise alone at the gym and others may get their best exercise in a group setting. If you like to work out with others, consider joining a group fitness class. There are various classes you can take to fit your favorite fitness style.
If you want to dance, sign up for a Zumba class. Take a yoga class for a relaxing, meditative workout. Some gyms and studios will also have options for cardio, strength training or a mixture of both.
3. Swimming in A Pool
Swimming is an excellent exercise choice for yourself and the whole family. When you’re in the pool, you get a low-impact workout and give your joints a rest at the same time. That makes swimming and other water exercises popular for senior citizens or anybody with arthritis or joint pain.
You can do more than cardio in the pool, too. Find some foam weights to get a productive resistance workout.
4. At-Home Exercise Videos
If you live in a remote area, you may not have easy access to a park, gym, swimming pool or other recreational facilities. One solution is to do workouts at home.
You can subscribe to an online fitness program where you can find exercise videos on demand. Places like YouTube are an easy way to find the program right for you, whether cardio, resistance training, yoga or anything else you like. Some services have live workouts so you can exercise with the trainer and the rest of the class.
5. Walking Outside
Lacing up your tennis shoes and walking outside is one of the easiest ways to get a productive work out any day of the week. Round up the kids or find a friend to enjoy conversations with as you stroll. You can walk around the neighborhood, parks, malls, local soccer fields or other places you’ll enjoy.
Walking is a low-impact exercise that can lower your blood pressure, burn calories and reduce stress from your day. The sun shining on your face with a cool breeze can make a difference in your mood.
6. Yoga from Anywhere
Yoga has been around for thousands of years and people have used it for meditation and spiritual healing. It is also a physical activity that can produce a sensational exercise regimen benefitting the whole family. Doing yoga can help your balance, flexibility, and heart health. If you don’t mind the steamy conditions, try hot yoga.
This form of yoga turns up the temperature and the humidity to try and replicate the climate of yoga’s country of origin, India. Some studios will crank the heat over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Whether you want regular or hot yoga, both will give you a great workout. The best part is you can do yoga in a studio, at home, in a park, on the beach or wherever is most convenient.
7. Hiking on A Trail
The United States has over 400 national parks, including at least one in every state. These parks have walkable trails you can hike yourself, with friends and the whole family. The best part is most of these parks are free to enter.
Before you go, check the rules on pets — you may be able to bring your dog with you on the trails. These parks are a great way to exercise and soak in America’s natural beauty simultaneously.
8. Riding A Bike
Do you remember learning how to ride a bike as a kid? You probably still remember how to do it, even if it’s been a few years. Bike riding is a great way to get a cardio workout and teach your children a fun skill.
You can bike recreationally in your neighborhood, in parks or on trails. Also, you can incorporate bike riding into your daily transportation. Riding a bike to work will save you money on gas and lower your carbon footprint while getting exercise.
Working Out Made Easy
Exercise has many benefits for your family — every time you work out, your body will reward you. Regular physical activity can help you lose weight, boost your self-esteem, sleep better, and reduce the risk of diseases. Workouts come in various ways, so everyone can find something they like to do regularly. Hopefully these 8 ways to workout has helped inspire you to get moving!