Exercising at a gym just isn’t for everyone. If you don’t enjoy going to a health club to get your fit on, but are looking to improve your fitness, consider some alternatives:

1. Walk a dog. Having a pet is a great excuse to get out and move. Pups that live indoors require at least a 30 minute stroll to get their energy out and stay healthy. Try to maximize your dog’s requirements and your own at the same time. Wear comfortable shoes and keep a good pace.
2. Maximize tube time. You may have heard that you can exercise while watching TV. Most commercial breaks last 60 seconds to 2 ½ minutes. Don’t fast forward your DVR or get up and go to the refrigerator. Use these breaks in your show to maximize your fitness. Some things you can try are: crunches or planks (try to get as many in or stay as long as you can in the pose until your show returns); lunges, push-ups, squat-jumps, frog-jumps, calf raises or jumping jacks (do as many as you can without stopping), and; yoga poses or stretches (hold each pose or stretch for 30 seconds). Every little bit counts, so challenge yourself to increase your repetitions or time as you progress.
3. Try a video. If you are not sure if you’d like zumba, boot camp, cardio boxing or another gym class you may have heard of, try it at home. Videos are available on Netflix, in hotel rooms and to borrow from the local library, so try one out before doing it en mass.
4. Make the playground your playground. When you bring your kids to the park, enjoy a more grown-up version of play. Climb. Chase. Swing. Throw and catch. Small children are often fit because they never stop moving, and they don’t need to do conventional movements to be their most healthful selves. Imitate them (including the laughing and silliness) – it feels great and you will look great! See those monkey bars? Go try a pull up!
5. Bring the gym to you. Consider purchasing a doorway gym system. There are several options out there, such as TRX, that are portable and easy to set up. They generally come with instructions and you can use them at your leisure. Other options are to purchase a cardio machine or hire a personal trainer who will come to you. Whatever you choose, make it part of your routine and schedule your exercise like a doctor’s appointment so that you’ll really commit!
6. Wii anyone? Not just for kids, Wii has several games that will really get your heart beating! There is tennis, golf, baseball, dancing, bowling and several fitness games to stave off boredom and fit into your preferences and lifestyle.
7. Hit the cold. Try an outside winter sport such as ice skating, skiing, snow shoeing or sledding. You’ll be having so much fun you won’t even know you are exercising. Get one activity into each weekend in the winter and your body will reap huge benefits.
8. Combine your interests with socializing. Social meet up places are all the rage. Want to try Frisbee golf? Find a great hiking trail in your urban hood? Go birding in January? Check out a meet-up site, such as www.meetup.com, and participate in a social outing that will get you off your glutes! Share your time and interests while recreating on your terms.
9. Stand up. You burn 33% more calories standing up than you do sitting down, so decide to stand whenever the phone rings during the day. Make an effort to fold laundry standing. Stand at the computer or when waiting for the bus. Remember your posture. Shoulders back, tummy in, stand straight.
10. Get cleaning. Join a community clean-up program, de-clutter your garage/attic/basement, wash the windows, scrub the tub, find the grass in your yard by removing leaves and debris, re-organize your closet and drawers . . . this work is endless yet rewarding.  It keeps you movin’ and groovin’.

Of course check with your physician before embarking on a new fitness routine. Think outside the fitness box and you will be successful. Cheers to your most healthful and fit self!

Posted on: Jan 6, 2012

Tags: dog walk, exercise steady, fitness, home exercise, outdoor activities, playground, Wii, workout tips