Fun Workouts: Finding The F in Fitness
In the era of "no pain no gain," fun workouts may seem like mission impossible. Have you ever tried a new workout method, convinced that it was going to change your life, only to give up after a few days? Have you ever started a workout plan that was effective, but so repetitive and boring that it left you stiff and sore the next day, and dreading the next workout? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, we've got your back.
The most important aspect of your fitness routine is that it needs to be sustainable. This means that it should fit like a puzzle piece into your daily schedule, and it should be fun, too! We want to make sure that you don't give up on feeling fit and healthy and have a good time doing so.
Fun workouts: our go-to list
We've put together a list of workouts that bring the fun back into fitness.
Walking (or cycling) in nature
Tired of sitting all day? Depending on where you live, walking might just become a new favorite activity to unwind after a long day and while keeping fit in a fun way. Walking gives you the chance to catch up on (or get into) podcasts, audiobooks, music or the sounds of nature if you'd just rather unplug and keep yourself grounded. Walking or cycling to work is also a great way to avoid being sedentary on your commute. This study even found that walking through the forest for brief chunks of time had positive effects on anxiety and depressive moods. The best part: it's free!
Dance classes
Want to try something a little different? Then why not go for dancing? There's a style for everyone, from swing, hip hop, and jazz, to Zumba, tap, ballet, and much, much more. Some dance classes are available for total beginners, and these usually have a positive, encouraging atmosphere that is all about trying something new. Even if it's a little out of your comfort zone at first, take the leap, and try out a fun dance workout next time you want to sweat a little.
Yoga sessions
There's a reason you have a yoga studio on every block in your city. Perhaps the most popular form of mind and body fitness, yoga is also a tremendous amount of fun. It helps to reduce stress as well as being a great activity to improve overall fitness. If you're a beginner, check out this 10-minute yoga flow, or this 20-minute yoga session to get great introductions to a practice that increase flexibility and strength. There are so many styles, approaches and methods of yoga available. Try as many as you want, and take your time to find your perfect match.
Team sports
If you want to add movement to your routine, you can look up whether there are any amateur sports teams in your area. If you live near a football field or a basketball court, chances are you'll be able to find one. If not, why not start your own? If you're keen on getting a group of people to do sports together, you'll probably find some friends who'd like to join too. It can be hard to put yourself out there and be the first to ask, but there might be a surprising number of like-minded people living just around the corner who also want fun workouts.
Having fun in the park
The reason we love fun workouts so much? They don't make you feel like you're working out at all. Park workouts can be as small-scale as throwing a frisbee around with some friends. You don't actually need any gym equipment to choose movement and get your heart rate up. The idea is to move around the park as much as possible while having fun. If you're lucky, there might even be a playground area in the park where you can practice your skills on the monkey bars or rope courses. You'll soon remember why you always loved trips to the park as a kid, and wonder why you ever stopped.
Playing with little ones
Fun and fit go very well together, and kids know that. Volunteering to babysit little cousins or friends' kids might be one of the most rewarding and intense workouts of your life. Whether you're chasing them around the park (how do little legs move so fast?) or at home, this is a workout for your mind and body. It takes some creativity to keep little ones engaged and interested. They get bored easily so you may end up spending the day entirely on your toes, adapting and living in the moment. And you'll be having a lot of fun. Being around children can be a fulfilling experience because their excitement about everything is completely infectious.
Doing your chores right
Can cleaning be fun? Sure thing! Put some tunes you love on a speaker (or headphones if you have napping housemates or kids) and turn a necessary task into an act of self-care. Not only does this tick off a bunch of your to-do list in one go, but you can also turn housework into a fun, fit and grounding activity that leaves you with a healthier living space and a tidier mind. You don't need to worry about fitting this workout into your busy schedule and carving time out of your day, because you're going to do it anyway! Housework that gets your heart rate up and your body moving is a sure-fire way to get a workout in without even realizing it!
Fun workouts: top takeaways
There's a reason why little kids race around all day at a million miles an hour and never seem to get tired. Their "workouts" don't look like workouts: they're fun, often social, creative and sustainable ways of getting the body moving and the mind unwinding. It's time for you to get creative when including movement into your daily life. Struggling for ideas? Check out our list of fun workouts that you can easily integrate into your weekly schedule. Spending time on your health and prioritizing fitness should feel like a reward, not a chore!
Don't stick to dreaded, boring workouts that leave you wondering why you even bothered. Instead, why not finish your workouts with a big smile on your face? Fun workouts are possible. They are also the best way to be consistent in your training for long term effects. To learn more about the different health and fitness options out there, subscribe to the 8fit app now. With a supportive and fun community accompanying you on your personal health journey, you'll soon learn how to find the fun in fitness!
