Exercising is one of those things that can be difficult to stick to because there are many other things we would rather be doing. Who wants to sweat and breathe hard and work…hard. Not me. But the fact is, our bodies need us to.
Our health and overall well-being depends on us taking care of ourselves, so why not try to find activities that give us the cardio and strength workout we need while also having a little bit of fun? Below you’ll find 5 Workouts that Don’t Suck. At least, from this writer’s perspective.
Zumba
You can’t make it out to the dance club as often as you’d like (or…ever) but why not workout and dance at the same time by hitting up a Zumba class? If you’re afraid to get up in front of people, just make sure you’re in the back of the room so you can feel comfortable going at your own pace.
Pilates
Ok this one does kind of suck, simply because the next day you are SO sore, but what I love about it is you can do a 20 minute work out each day and you’ll start to see results because the exercises are so targeted and work your muscles so thoroughly. So while it isn’t an easy workout, it’s brief and effective. making it worth the effort.
Paddleboarding
If you are a fan of the water, you’ll love paddleboarding. It’s like surfing but with a paddle, and once you get the strategy for steering your board and you’ve mastered keeping your balance for the body of water you are in, it’s a fantastic workout that is anything but boring.
Swimming or Water Polo
There’s just something about swimming that is serene and relaxing yet, you get a great cardio and strength building workout.
Water Polo also looks like it could be a ton of fun while giving you a great cardio and strength workout moving through the water to play a game. Both, while maybe not an everyday kind of activity, it would make for a great addition to a general workout plan.
Elliptical
If you don’t have time to do anything else, the elliptical is the best machine based workout. It’s easier on your knees and legs than a treadmill and it offers a better overall workout. So, if you have to succumb to gym-based workout then hit up this particular machine – it’s not as boring as some of the others.
Out of these five, doing a combination throughout your week is more likely to keep you interested and moving on a regular schedule, so consider setting a pace that includes several of these activities. You may be less likely to quit if you have variety as a part of your routine.
Which of these workouts are you interested in implementing into your schedule?
Image: M.M. Meeks
