When it comes to working out, there are so many ways you can stay fit and active without ever setting foot in a gym if you prefer not to. Every adult should aim to get around 150 minutes minimum per week of activity that raises their heart rate and leaves them slightly out of breath. But the beauty is that exercise isn’t just one type of boring activity you need to do because the AHA or WHO says you should. It’s something everyone can do in a way that benefits their life nad is something they enjoy.
Exercise is not just a physical activity; it’s a holistic lifestyle choice. It’s not limited to a specific routine or location but encompasses any activity that gets you moving and active in any way possible. The benefits of incorporating exercise into your life are vast and inspiring. You’ll not only improve your fitness and health but also experience a dopamine boost that can enhance your mental well-being. Additionally, you’ll enjoy improved heart health, reduced risk of common ailments, and more.
With that in mind, let’s look at some of the ways you can stay active without involving a gym.
Swimming
Swimming in indoor or outdoor pools, as well as open bodies of water, can be massively beneficial to your health. It is a low-impact activity that is great for the joints and can boost cardiovascular health and endurance without too much strain on the body. At the same time, swimming can boost muscle tone and stamina, build strength, and improve breathing control.
The health benefits of swimming can be vast. It’s an exercise that works your whole body simultaneously, giving you an all-over workout.
Sports
Any type of sport is a great way to stay fit and active, regardless of your skill or knowledge level. Even the gentlest sports can be a great way to support health and well-being and get you out of the house and moving. The best part is that there’s a different sport for everyone to explore, one that meets their interests, activity levels, and more. Sports are inclusive and can be enjoyed by everyone regardless of their starting point or goals.
One such example is pickleball. Pickleball is a game that has been building in popularity recently, and many people are taking up the game for its various benefits, including the love of the game, the social aspect and the inclusivity. This site can help you find pickleball lessons, courts and tournaments near you to see if the sport is something you can get involved in. Other spots can include football, soccer, baseball, basketball, tennis, badminton, squash, hockey and gold, to name a few, and each one comes with its own added health benefit at any level, even those wanting a more casual playing experience.
Dancing
Like sports, dancing is an activity that can get you moving in a more social setting (you can take dance classes alone or at home if you wish) and gives you an all-over workout that can be extremely fun.
The beauty of dance is that there are so many styles you can choose from, and all can be started at any age, any skill level, and in any capacity you wish. Whether you want to train seriously or just indulge for fun, there’s a dance style and class for you.
You can try Zumba, ballet, street dance, tap, modern dance swing, salsa, line dancing, hip hop, ballroom, and so much more. So what are you waiting for? Get your dancing shoes or boots on and get on the dancefloor to work up a sweat.
Running
Running is a popular fitness activity that can be done anywhere and everywhere. You can run at home on the treadmill, in your local park, with a club, on the coastline, or in national parks. The options for locations you can run are endless (safety first, however), and it can be a really easy way to get out and move. If you’re not too confident, you can start at home until you get into the swing of things.
Running can have many benefits, including increased heart health, boosted stamina, strengthened muscles, a more stable weight, and stronger bones.
Hiking/Walking
Walking can be a great activity to add to your fitness routine. Step outside the house and go for a walk, even if it’s not somewhere scenic, just around your local neighbourhood.
While the 10,000 steps per day goal is simply an arbitrary number, there is a grain of truth in that as many steps as possible are good. But that all depends on you as a person, not a random number plucked out of thin air. Aim to do a few thousand more steps each day than you’re currently doing, and build it slowly to a number you feel comfortable with and is easy to sustain every single day.
Building on this, hiking is a great way to explore walking as an activity. You can challenge yourself to take on different environments while also taking in the beauty of the world around you, so you get the benefits of walking and nature, too, so win win!
Cycling
Cycling is an excellent activity to take up to get you outside and boost your fitness levels. From leisure rides around your local area or park to competitive speed racing or long-distance cycling that can be done as part of a group or club, cycling can be taken up in many different ways.
It is entirely up to you how you want to ride, too; it can be a solo activity on a stationary bike at one, you can ride alone, or you can explore the limits of cycling by getting involved with riding clubs and cycling events. But cycling has multiple benefits for the body in any capacity, including improving heart health, stamina, flexibility, strength, and so much more.
If you’re looking for a way to get fit without hitting the gym, these 6 options can get you moving and fit without a gym membership in sight.
