Keeping healthy involves a myriad of activities, what we choose to eat, keeping hydrated as well as movement and exercise are all important and a combination of all are needed for optimal health.
As we get older it’s even more important to include movement and strength building exercises into our week, as they are essential for staying strong and flexible and maintaining a healthy body.
The problem is – many of my clients have the motivation to get started with exercise, only to find traditional workouts get monotonous and uninspiring. When that happens, the motivation decreases and it’s too easy to slip into bad habits and not exercise at all.
If you are one of these people, I have a solution so read on!..
I believe the key to sticking to an exercise routine is finding activities that are enjoyable and bring a sense of fun and excitement with them. So, in this post, we’ll explore some Fun ways to Stay Active and Fit. Engaging exercise routines that will keep you motivated and help you achieve your fitness goals with a smile on your face – and I promise – you won’t even know you are exercising!
Fun ways to stay fit
1. Dancing
Dancing is not only a fun and effective way to burn calories – it brings a myriad of other benefits. It improves cardiovascular health, requires balance which helps to build core strength – essential as we get older for our posture and to prevent muscle injuries and back pain.
Dance is also known to improve brain function and boost memory, as well as increase serotonin levels (our feel good hormone), and reduce stress. With many dance classes available – there will be something for you whatever your age and ability – salsa, hip-hop, Zumba and ballet are just a few.
2. Get outdoors and into nature
Get your daily step count in on an outdoor adventure! Hiking is an amazing way to keep fit, strengthen muscles and enjoy nature. This is also an excellent activity to do in a group – there are lots of hiking groups you can join and make new friends at the same time. Plus, the benefits of being outdoors and in nature are many.
To mix things up, you can also try cycling through scenic routes, or kayaking in nearby lakes and rivers. Outdoor activities not only provide a full-body workout but also allow you to connect with nature, promoting an all-round mental well-being.
3. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
Ok, stay with me – if you don’t like lengthy gym work outs then a HIIT workout could be for you! These are short, intense bursts of exercise followed by brief periods of rest. These workouts save time, can be done at home, and are great for burning calories and improving heart health.
There are countless HIIT workout routines available online, so you can mix and match to keep things interesting.
4. Team Sports
If you miss team sports then motivate your work colleagues, join a local sports league or gather friends for a friendly game of football, softball, or volleyball in the park or at your local sports centre.
Team sports not only offer a fun way to keep active, they also foster a sense of connection, camaraderie, competition and accountability with others. This makes it more likely you will turn up and look forward to each game.
5. Skipping Rope
Remember the fun you used to have skipping as a child? Well, the good news is – it’s not just for kids; it’s a fantastic full-body workout that improves coordination, balance, and increases stamina. It’s inexpensive and can be done almost anywhere (you can carry your rope in your bag wherever you go).
If you want to get creative, there are different jump rope routines you can learn and challenge yourself with various skipping techniques.
6. Rebounding
Rebounding is a type of low-impact aerobic exercise that involves jumping on a mini-trampoline. It’s a full body workout which improves all your muscles and burns calories fast. Jumping boosts your metabolism and improves resting metabolic rate so you can burn calories long after a workout. It’s known to enhance cardiovascular health, and improve lymphatic circulation.
You can do this at home or join a class. There are a range of rebounding trampolines available to buy, which you can easily store away, or there are plenty of local classes with an instructor, which are high in energy and lots of fun.
7. Virtual Reality Fitness
Ok, I have not tried this but I am curious! If you love a bit of tech then it could be time to try some virtual reality fitness games. Remember the Wii? Well this is one step on.
Virtual reality games allow you to interact with the simulation via a headset. It requires you to use your whole body to control the game, so it can get your heart pumping in a fun way that doesn’t feel like exercise.
There are many simulations to choose from, whether it’s boxing, dancing, archery or something else – with this being a growing market, the choices are only going to get more varied.
How to stay active and fit
As you can see by these suggestions – keeping active and fit doesn’t have to be a chore; it can be lots of fun. By incorporating activities you genuinely enjoy into your week, you’ll be more likely to stick to them in the long run.
And don’t forget, you can get your fitness goals in a number of ways, you will benefit from simply adding more movement into your day alongside workouts. I am a fan of taking the stairs instead of a lift, walking instead of driving, getting off public transport a few stops earlier and varying your work day so you stand at your desk for periods.
I would also advise you to mix up your exercise to get the ultimate benefits; set achievable goals, and, most importantly, have fun while getting fit. And if you want some support then get in touch. I work with women to take back control of their overall health and fitness, making them look and feel amazing!