We all know exercise is an absolutely essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, we’re just as familiar with the benefits of exercise as we are with ways to procrastinate hitting the gym! And let’s face it: boredom is one of the main reasons we skip our “daily” (read: monthly) run or early-morning spin class. Luckily, getting fit doesn’t mean we’re confined to logging miles on a treadmill. Unconventional workouts like rock climbing or Zumba classes are more popular than ever! Here are six of our favorite ways to work out without setting foot in a traditional gym.
Image: Matchbook Magazine
Written by Kathryn Leahy[/tps_header]
Indoor Wall Climbing
You may remember visiting these facilities for friends’ birthday parties years ago. And now, if you take rock climbing more seriously as an exercise, you’ll reap muscular and cardiovascular benefits —plus the sheer enjoyment you felt as a kid!
Image: Avax News
Now that the weather is warming up, I cannot wait to get back into hiking- I haven’t gone in years! My new favorite ways to switch up my stay-active routine have been AcroYoga (or, how I like to say, Circus Trick Yoga), Stand Up Paddleboarding (they have S.U.P. Yoga in DC, too!) and Booty Barre (to get back to my ballet roots). I highly recommend each! Acroyoga is the newest to me, and I smell an obsession coming along. Super fun to try out with a friend!
I love activities that let me bypass the physical gym! Thanks for the ideas!
Liz @ http://www.shoppingmycloset.com
We do too! Here’s our list of fun classes: http://www.thesinglediaries.com/living/what-to-wear-to-workout/
We have a list of fun workouts here and include a class-inspired outfit for each (including hiking!). We love Avant-Barre.com and are dying to try Soul Cycle.
Catherine | The Single Diaries
I take barre classes. They’re like ballet, mixed with Zumba, mixed with bootcamp. Such a great full body workout, and after three weeks I noticed results! Love it. xx Kari
http://moderngirlsinvintagepearls.com/
I think cycling is really great. It can allow one to push self even harder, versus going to the gym walking on the treadmill, especially if you get bored easily.
http://shanitainfo4ublog.weebly.com/
Zumba is awesome! Woohoo!