Three ways to exercise without going to the gym

Gyms can be useful. There’s something about being there amongst other people who are exercising that can be pretty motivating. However, a gym isn’t the only place and the only way to keep fit. Our gym membership runs out in March and I am contemplating whether we need to renew it or not! Here are a couple of ways you can exercise without hitting the gym.

Dancing

Dancing is a great way to exercise. You can pick a particular song tempo, depending on how fast or slow you want to move. Also, it won’t really feel like exercise (though your body will know that it is!) if you choose to dance to songs you really like. It’ll feel more like a party – a party of one.

Have a playlist compiled of the various songs you like, including your favorites. Also, look for new ones to add. Then, spend 20 minutes to half an hour dancing three or four times a week (or more).

Walking

Walking is a gentler and easier way to keep fit. It’s also convenient because you can pretty much do it anytime you want; there’s very little prep time.

You could go for 30-minute walks or longer if you choose. If you want to increase your heart rate, get the blood pumping more and burn more calories, walk briskly.

To add some variety, you could also switch up your routine. Walk along a different route every week or so, or change the time that you walk. If you drive, for places that normally take you about 10 minutes to get to, you could walk it.

If you want to take things up a notch, you could take up jogging/running.

Gardening

Yes! Truly! Gardening!

Ask the gardeners you know. All that bending, cutting, pruning, weeding, lifting, planting, watering, wheelbarrowing, etc. – it all burns calories; in fact as much as 184 calories every 30 minutes.

If you want to get more out of a certain physical activity, be mindful of how your body moves when you’re doing certain things, then maximize the movement. For example, if you have to bend down or crouch to tend to a plant, stretch as you bend or crouch down slower to use your muscles more.

For the activities mentioned, there will be some sweating, especially the dancing – so consider styling your hair in a way that’s exercise-proof and sweat-proof. Depending on the length of your hair, you could style it into a braided bun or a braided ponytail – a style that takes your hair off your face and doesn’t get messy if you choose to go for a run. Check out mynewhairstyles.net for some bun/ponytail ideas you could try.

There are several other ways to exercise without going to the gym, including jumping rope, swimming, and yoga. You can even get on YouTube and make use of the vast range of exercise videos that are at your disposal.

You might choose to join the gym in the future, or not, but what’s important is that you can exercise, you can move your body, with or without one.

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