It’s the standard time of year where everyone that has the “I want to get in shape” or “I want to lose weight” goals, and where do they all go - the gym. It’s a yearly ritual: the gyms get crowded about the first 2 months of the year, then slowly fizzle out. But what if you’re not down with the gym? What if your goal isn’t to just lose weight, but to feel better. Gain confidence. Move more. Get better at a specific physical activity - or better yet, start a new one. There’s so many alternatives to the gym where you can achieve these goals (as well as those ‘standard ones’ too I suppose).
Here are a few that I know I either take part in now, have in the past, or definitely want to in the future!
Home workouts: pretty self-explanatory. Want some privacy? Get a great workout at home - and you don’t need all that fancy equipment either. You can chose to purchase videos to keep you held accountable (which message me if you’d like some sweet discounts on ones like 21 Day Fix and P90x), or there are a million FREE videos, tips, pictures, etc. you can find just by Googling! Home workouts are a great option for anybody out there.
Get outdoors: another way to get a great workout in for free - utilizing the great outdoors! Take your dog (or a neighbors dog) for a nice long walk. Start jogging - there are so many free running groups in most cities too. A lot of free apps will also help with a running plan for those that are just starting out and want to train for their first race perhaps. Go on a hike. Ride your bike - ride your bike to work! SO many different ways to get your fitness groove on outdoors.
Dance! I personally think this is the most fun workout alternative. Dancing burns so many calories you guys and gets just about every part of your body toned up when you’re doing your thing. Whether you just have a 20 minute dance party with your kids or your spouse, or you sign up for some dance classes, get moving! One really cool class I saw the other day was for ballroom dancing - whaaa that would not only be a great workout but insanely fun!
Specialized studios: I know a lot of people will still relate these to being a “gym”, but I think they are so much more. Specialized studios I’m talking about are: yoga studios, spin class, barre class, orangetheory, women’s only circuits, bootcamps, crossfit, etc. Majority (if not all) offer classes and programs, so you’re not just winging it like you would at the gym. There’s a specialized workout you’re doing (i.e. yoga, cycling, weight lifting, cardio, etc.), with an instructor guiding you along the way. What I love about these studios is how I feel motivated to do it from start to end - even if I’m not that great at it. At the gym, if I get lazy or insecure about trying something, I’ll stop. I’ll end my workout early. Not in these studios. I get the full 45 minutes to an hour (or longer) in and I feel amazing. They are super fun, you can see your progress after a couple sessions, and you get to meet some great people too.
Swimming: this is one activity I’d personally like to do more of. I feel so awesome after I get done swimming some laps - I feel so dead while I’m doing it though. Most people I think underestimate how hard swimming actual laps for a long period of time can be. It’s a cardio pumping, full body workout. Have you seen Michael Phelps - hello!? It’s a great activity to take your kids, or take a friend and do relay’s. Great thing - every city will have some type of year round indoor pool to let you keep this workout going all year.
Sports leagues: last but not least, join a league! A popular one I know a lot of people do is indoor soccer - so many leagues, adult leagues, beer leagues, work leagues, etc. you can join. Bowling even - not a true fitness sport by trade, but it gets you moving, keeps you active, and keeps you committed. A lot of gyms will have indoor volleyball leagues, even racquetball. If you’re in warmer weather, get on a golf league - I think this is the most fun! Any that you choose, it’s a great team bonding opportunity that may get you out of your comfort zone as well.
Hope you all find whatever fitness routine makes YOU feel good and empowered this year :) For those in the Michigan/Ohio area, I’m to make some recommendations to locations of any of the above that I would say to try - message me!