If you have no interest in working out in a gym, there are still plenty of activities that you can participate in that will help you burn calories. There are a ton of exercise ideas you can do at home but sometimes it’s just necessary to take a break from the “norm” and do something that you really enjoy doing.
Did you play sports as a child? Is there something you’ve always wanted to try? Are there any team sports or fitness classes in your area? The possibilities of physical activities that you can participate in are virtually endless. You don’t have to stay in the gym all the time.
As long as you’re moving – that’s better than doing nothing at all. To change things up and keep your body guessing, consider incorporating one, two or more of these exercise ideas into one killer workout:
- Running
- Walking
- Jogging
- Dancing
- Zumba
- Pole Dancing
- Canoeing
- Hiking
- Mountain Climbing
- Burpees
- Skipping Rope
- Playing on a Playground
- Skiing
- Yoga
- Lacrosse
- Pilates
- Play Soccer
- Karate
- Basketball
- Tennis
- Racquetball
- Bellydancing
- Riding Bike
- Water Skiing
- Kickboxing
- Regular Races (5K, half marathon, marathon)
- Flag Football
- Sprints
- Interval Training
- Hopscotch
- Crossfit
- Circuit Training
- Volleyball
- Swimming
- Cross Training
- Plyometrics
- Workout DVDs
- Gardening
- Stair Climbing
- Bodyweight Exercises
- Aerobics
- Rock Climbing
- Play Tag
- Jumping on a Trampoline
- Calisthenics
- Cutting/Splitting Wood
- Ladder Climbing
- Flag Football
- Tabata Training
- Water Polo
- Gymnastics
- Tai Chi
- Spinning Class
- Rollerblading/skating
- Xbox Kinect/Nintendo Wii/Playstation Move Video Games
- Bailing Hay
- Bowling
- Softball
- Horseback Riding
- Frisbee
- Kickball
- Mowing the Lawn
- Backpacking
- Snowboarding
- Badminton
- Kettlebells
- Playing Catch
- Use an Exercise Ball Instead of a Regular Chair
- Cleaning House (esp. mopping, sweeping, vacuuming)
- Bootcamps
- Kayaking
- Dodgeball
- Sled Dragging
- Hill Walking
- Hockey
- Snorkeling
- Water Skiing
- Tug of War
- Curling
- Wrestling
- Rugby
- Golf
I hope you’ve been inspired by these exercise ideas!
xo Mindi
Megan says
Great Post!
Megan
mommyminded.blogspot.com
Tatianna says
Wow, that’s a great big list, I love it!
Bryce says
I just found the Bodyblade, it’s great! No gym required, and now I’m bladin’ my way to great health. Here’s a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc5f26DKuVA
HudsonHero says
Just had to give up our gym membership (finances) and feeling bummed. Saw this post today and thought it came at such a great time.
Garth Delikan says
I love posts like this Melinda as so many people get hung up on the idea that the gym is the “be all” and “end all” of all exercise and in reality it isn’t!
Exercise doesn’t have to mean the gym and so many people miss out on the joys of fitness because thay buy into that mindset!
Great article!
LissaB says
Love the list!!! Woudnt have sat down and thought about it, but what about boxing. Though I go to Biscayne Boxing & Fitness Club
which is amazing! It is a form of exercise that can be done without a gym. Just get some gloves, and a sparring partner!!!!
Lissab
Yuriy Teslyar says
A simple fitness program that doesn’t require the gym is a powerful way to reach that weight loss goal and get fit. We’ve launched an app to make this a little easier on you: Simple Fitness Tracker (http://simplefitnesstracker.appspot.com/). It involves doing a few exercises daily and allows users to track their progress (takes ~20s/day) to build confidence & fitness over time.
Melinda F says
That’s a great idea, thanks for sharing!
Melinda F says
I would love to have a gym membership myself but would just rather save the monthly fee – at least at this time. I’m glad you found this post helpful. ;)
Walter Rush says
Tree climbing is one of my favorites however as I mature gracefully I have chosen to only climb one branch off the ground which incorporates just about every muscle group. I do this 8 to 12 times per tree during my walk and I’m feeling great total body. Sometimes even the monkey bars are used which is always fun as well.
Rudy says
I do a lot of personal training outside of the gym, this is good stuff to read!
Gary Personal Training Oxford says
lol, this is a great list, I may have to work my way through it! Not sure about the bellydancing tho!
Mike Personal Trainer Cardiff says
There is a lot to be said about training outdoors. I believe the main benefit is that it can alleviate the symptoms of SAD and ME.
Personal Training Bristol Tom says
There is nothing better than fresh air to get you motivated as too much gym work can become monotonous leading to de-motivation. Keep exercise fresh and new, to cheat the human mind
Personal Training Nottingham Mawer says
Hi I’m Mawer a PT,
I agree, the more variation you can introduce into a workout or activity routine, the easier it is to stay on track, without your regime going stale!
Great Blog!
Personal Training London Gary says
We try and get our clients into Regents Park as much as we can, because getting fresh air into the lungs and sunlight onto the skin is important, especially in the city.