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From Our Friends at HeyPumpkin:
Do you ever look at people who go to the gym for fun and wonder why they put themselves through such torture? Don’t worry, it’s totally OK if you do.
While there are plenty of people out there who love running on treadmills, pumping iron, and pushing their bodies to the brink of exhaustion, there are many others who don’t. Why sweat for an hour when you could read a book, right?
Though not everyone has to be a gym buff, it is important we prioritize moving our bodies for our physical health. So, if you’re someone who would rather go to the dentist than go to the gym, here are a handful of ways to get fit without going to the gym.
Dancing is not only fun, but it’s a fantastic workout. Whether you decide to learn a dance routine (like a TikTok dance) or just blast music and let your body do what it wants, try to dance as often as you can. It’ll not only relieve stress and anxiety, but it’ll get your blood pumping. There’s also no “right” way to dance, so you’ll never do it wrong.
If you want to take it to the next level, consider signing up for a dance class! There are plenty of adult dance classes out there that’ll teach you everything from jazz to the Argentine tango. You’ll be ready for Dancing With the Stars in no time.
I don’t know if you’ve tried jumping rope recently, but boy does it work up a sweat. Even if you just jump rope for five minutes every single day, you will notice a difference in your legs and arms in no time. It’s hard jumping rope, I won’t lie, but it’s one of those workouts that require very little time.
You know how they say “an apple a day keeps the doctor away?” Well, I’d like to change that to “a walk a day keeps the doctor away.” Walking is one of the best things you can do for your body and it doesn’t have to feel like a chore.
Find a podcast you absolutely love or curate a music playlist and walk around your neighborhood for 30 minutes. Don’t worry about walking at a certain speed or going a certain distance, just allow yourself to breathe the fresh air and enjoy being in nature.
Who doesn’t love jumping on a trampoline? Take it back to your days as a kid and get yourself a trampoline. You can get a tiny one for your living room or a big one for your backyard, whichever you prefer, and commit to jumping on it for 15 minutes each day. If you do have a small one in your living room, jump on it while you watch your favorite show. Or, if you want to go outside and enjoy the sunshine, put on a podcast and go to town.
Our muscles tend to get stiffer as we get older, so prioritizing stretching is a great way to improve flexibility and strength. Take time out of your morning routine to do a handful of simple stretches that feel good to your body. It may not feel like “working out,” but it is beneficial to your physical health.
