Get Sweaty: Exercise Options Other Than the Gym
Dec 14, 2011 by
With the start of the New Year just around the corner there’s no question that the most prominent resolution on most everyone’s mind is weight loss. Daily exercise isn’t just an important component in losing weight; it can also be a stress reliever, a means of improving cardiovascular health, and can help prevent other disease.
For many folks, the idea of a gym is the go-to institution for physical activity. But the thought of pushing out mile upon mile on a gym treadmill is mundane and dreadful. And when it comes to actually pushing out those miles those folks find that actually doing it is equally as bad as thinking about it. That’s the reason gyms fill up mid-January only to return to dwindling numbers mid-February. You don’t have to take the plunge of buying a year-long gym membership to get into shape. In fact, there are countless other options that are cheaper, better suited for your lifestyle, and less restrictive when it comes to working out.
Here are some other outlets for exercise.
Video Games-if you already have a Wii or X-Box you’ve probably see the exercise games on the market. Not only are these programs fun, but they also track your progress as you continue to use them and are friendly for the whole family.
5k Circuit-at almost any time of the year (hot or cold, rain or shine) you can bet that a 5k is being held somewhere in your hometown or close by. Find a friend to participate with you and take a vow to enter every race possible, even if you walk through the course. You’ll be exercising for a good cause (most of the races charge a $10-$15 entry fee, with the proceeds going to charity) and racking up the miles!
Walking Group-you’ve always heard that there are strength in numbers? Invite a group of neighbors or co-workers to walk with you every day. Be it in the morning around your neighborhood, during your lunch break, or in the evenings after work, making exercise a social event will keep you engaged and make the time fly by.
Park Classes-lots of parks offer organized classes for free or a small fee during the warmer months. Do your research. Find out if a park in your town offers yoga or kickboxing classes.
Pay for Individual classes-you don’t have to rule the gym out completely. There are lots of gyms and studios that offer individual classes to non-members for a few bucks a session.
YouTube-believe it or not, the same website that brings you awful music videos is actually a great source for free workouts that can be completed in your own home. There’s a wide variety of options to choose from. Try searching “10 Minute Workouts” or “Ab Workouts” and filter through the results. Be sure to bookmark the ones you like so you can easily return to them.
Groupon/Living Social-After signing up for these free sites, you will receive a daily email notifying you of the ‘deal of the day’. The deals range from car washings to clothing coupons, all local and all at a discounted price. And they often include deals from Pilates or yoga studios or for workout equipment. Keep an eye on your email and take advantage of the super-low prices when you can.
Television-did you know there is probably a channel devoted to exercise in your cable package? And even better, there may even be an ‘On-Demand’ channel stocked with a wide range of specific workouts sorted into user-friendly categories like Ab Workouts, Buns and Thighs, and Kickboxing. These videos are super easy to sort through and offer such a wide variety you’re bound to find something you like.
Walk Your Dog-dogs need exercise too! It’s true. If you’re already in the habit of walking your dog, slowly start extending your distance (not too quickly though. You don’t want to over-exert your pooch). You’ll both reap the benefits of daily exercise.
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