Have you been feeling bored with your workouts lately? Tired of doing the same sets with the same machines, listening to the same playlist? You are not alone! Even the gym rats get tired of the same old routine once in a while. It is important to have a workout schedule and a regimented agenda, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stray away from it from time to time. Incorporating new activities can help you avoid burn out, injuries, and monotony.
Years ago, if you were looking for “fun” fitness, your options were slim to none. Today, however, there are endless fitness classes, fitness groups, and activities which promote fun over punishment. However, if punishment and chastisement are what you classify as fun, consider joining Crossfit. If that is not what you are looking for, continue reading.
Classes
Finding a program for your interests might be as easy as checking out the class schedule at your local gym. Typically, you will find various fun spirited classes like Zumba, Aqua Zumba, Dance Yoga, and others, depending on your gym’s capabilities. Also check with your city’s recreation program, which is sure to have many of the same offerings of a gym for a lower price to county or city residents.
Get Outdoors
If you are tired of the gym and studios all together and are seeking a new environment, get outdoors!
Summer
During the summer months, many local parks host outdoor athletic events such as road races, bicycle races, triathlons, group yoga, and more. Information for these can usually be found on city websites, and posted on fliers around town. Parks that surround bodies of water often rent out paddle boats, kayaks, canoes, or paddle boards by the hour. All of which provide great workouts without sacrificing a good time.
The recently popular themed road races have become masterminds at merging fitness with fun. Color runs, costume runs, and midnight runs are often packed with fellow athletes looking for fun and a race that does not require months of training, as well as people who have never ran a road race before. There are no expectations and everyone shares the common goal of simply having a good time.
Winter
The winter months offer significantly less options in regards to outdoor activities, but with a little research and creativity you are sure to find a few options. For example, snow skiing and snowboarding are excellent full body workouts, as is cross country skiing, and even ice skating. Build a snowman or a snow fort and you could burn upwards of 300 calories!
Day Trips
Day trips are the perfect way to combine fun, fitness, and the great outdoors.
Amusement/Water Parks
If you spend a day at an amusement park or a water park, you will be increasing your heart rate and burning calories every time you climb a tower of stairs or play in the pool. Consider taking a pedometer with you to track how far you walked throughout the day and you might be surprised how fast it adds up. Remember to pack your own food, or make healthy choices when dining at amusement parks. The aroma of funnel cakes will be a test to your self-discipline, but keep on powering through!
Trails
Spend a day on the trails, hiking, biking, or running. You don’t have to live near the Rocky Mountains to enjoy a nature trail. Most cities and towns have parks with walking trails, or “Greenbelt” trails, which are typically paved and maintained trails that connect various parks in a community. Some Greenbelt trails span over 25 miles of land, providing hours of entertainment and sightseeing.
Contrary to many people’s beliefs, exercise does not have to be performed in a gym or near gym equipment for it to be considered a workout. The act of exercising is any activity which targets muscles and increases your heart rate. You might not consider weekend play dates at the park a workout, but your body is using energy to run, to skip, to throw a ball around, and the more you play the more you are building endurance and burning calories. So, go enjoy yourself and leave the gym bag at home for a while!
Micah is a traveling swim coach and personal trainer, depending on the season. She is also currently working on her Master of Science in Athletic Administration and Coaching. Micah loves to live an active lifestyle, whether she is competing in open water swims, running a road race, practicing yoga, or biking with her dogs. The main objective in her career is to... Read More
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