We all know how important it is to keep active and stay healthy. But for many of us, the idea of hitting the gym several times a week or heading out for endless jogs is simply unbearable. So if you like to avoid ‘proper exercise’ as much as possible but still want to stay reasonable fit and healthy, here are some activities you can try.
Take a dip in the ocean
We’re so lucky here in Australia. We have plenty of wonderful beaches where we can enjoy a dip in the salty water for free! Swimming is a fantastic way to improve your fitness. It is good cardio and works your muscles whilst also being low impact and good for your joints.
If you’re not feeling strong enough for the open water (or are, understandably, paranoid about sharks), try a salt water pool. Or just any pool in general. You don’t have to swim for kilometres or do endless laps to get fitter. Even just a ten minute swim every day will help improve your fitness. A little gentle exercise on a regular basis is better than nothing.
Join a dance club
What better way to get a good dose of exercise than by trying a new skill? There are plenty of dance clubs in Sydney to choose from. Whether you fancy mastering salsa, ballroom or hip hop, heading to a dance class is a great way to get you active in a way that doesn’t feel like exercise.
Dancing helps improve posture, builds muscle and can also be a bit of cardio too. It’s also a great way to meet new people.
Try Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is another wonderful way to exercise your muscles without necessarily feeling like you’re exercising. It’s a great way to keep your mind active too as well as being a way to meet people. You don’t have to venture out into the wild to enjoy a bit of rock climbing. You can start at an indoor rock climbing centre with plenty of guidance and gear to keep you safe. It’s a great activity that can be enjoyed in any weather.
Take a Hike
We’ll let you in on a little secret… hiking is actually just walking. So whilst you can head off on all sorts of crazy trails and enjoy multi-day hikes, you can also enjoy the health benefits of hiking by walking in your local area.
There are endless routes available in Australia from coastal paths to mountain trails. Some are more challenging than others but overall, there is something for every physical ability. But if you’re not quite ready to go on a proper hike, why not just increase your step count in general?
You can go for a walk around your local area with friends. Start with just ten minutes and then build from there. If you’re stuck for time, why not walk home from work? Or part of your commute from work? You can even just get off the bus a couple of stops early and walk the extra twenty minutes home. If you walk in an office, why not conduct the odd mobile-meeting where you walk and talk? The more you walk during your day, the more you’ll notice the difference to your overall health.
Lawn Bowls
This is another great way to enjoy a bit of fresh air and some gentle exercise. Naturally, playing a couple of games of lawn bowls is not going to transform you into a muscle-ridden adonis, but moving your body just a little bit more on a regular basis will help improve your overall fitness.
Conclusion
Although sweating it out at the gym is undoubtedly a great way to get fit, being healthy is basically all about being active and having a good balance. Remember, you don’t have to be amazing at something or compete at a professional level to get enjoyment out of it. And at the end of the day, if you can get moving and get a good dose of fresh air on a regular (if not daily) basis, you’ll be on your way to a fitter you.