Hate the Gym? Fun Alternative Workouts You Could Try Instead

Love working out but hate the gym? Girl, you're NOT alone. There are plenty of reasons why women like you and I don't like the gym very much. Well, for starters, the gym can be quite.. boring. Finding the motivation to go to the gym can be quite a task on some days. The gym might not be a very appealing place for everyone, every day and that's completely fine. Personally, I have quite a love-hate relationship with the gym. Lots of love on those days when I push my limits, see any change or just get my endorphin-high I have grown to crave. But there are many days when waking up every morning before the Sun is out and my bed feels extra soft. Knowing full well that workouts are pretty great, I often feel guilty just hitting Stop instead of Snooze and pretending I never heard the alarm go off.

Is Exercise Important?

The simple answer, the one we hate to accept, is 'yes'. Exercising is important and not optional for everyone who wants to lead a healthy, fulfilling life with proper mental and physical health. Regardless of your age, gender, or body type - some kind of movement every day can help you improve the collective quality of your existence. While working out is a need indeed, it does not have to be boring. There are many 'fun' ways to move that we could explore in addition to, or to replace the gym entirely. The goal is to sweat, flex and flow through the day and maintain your spirits and energy levels high enough throughout.

Can Workouts Be Fun?

Moving is fun- maybe the label of working out is the problem. There are many ways to mix up your routine and keep things interesting. You do not have to stick with the same old boring exercises that make you hate working out in the first place. If you feel like you need a change of pace or something new to challenge your body, here are some ideas:

Dance Workouts

Dance workouts are a great way to keep moving and have fun (my personal favorite!) They can be done at home by yourself or with friends, or at a studio near you. You can even find dance classes online if you want to dance in your boxers. The best part about dance workouts is that they are easy to learn and anyone can do them regardless of fitness level. Here is a list of some fun dance workouts you can try:

Zumba

Zumba is a fun dance workout that combines popular Latin rhythms with easy-to-follow moves. It’s the perfect way to get your heart rate up and burn calories while having fun at the same time! You can find Zumba classes in most gyms or studios, or you can even find online fitness classes that offer similar workouts if there isn’t anything near you. You can connect with so many women who love to move and even Zumba fitness experts to get together and break a sweat.

Belly Dancing

Bellydancing is an ancient dance form that originated in the golden sands of the east. It is a great way to get your blood pumping and burn calories while having fun doing it. You can find belly dancing classes at most fitness studios, or you can even take online classes if there isn’t anything near you. You can choose from many different types of belly dancing depending on your skill level and what type of music you prefer.

Bollywood Dances

Bollywood dances are fun and energetic, and they are easy to learn since there aren’t many complicated steps or moves. The fun part about Bollywood dances is that they are always evolving and changing, so there is always something new to learn. Every time a new movie/song comes, there's your new hook step! You can even take classes for belly dancing if you want to combine both forms of dance into one!

Hip-Hop Tabata

Hip-hop Tabata is a form of dance that combines the elements of hip-hop and Tabata. It can be done by yourself or with a group, and all you need is music to get started. This type of dance is great for burning calories because it gets your heart rate up quickly and keeps it there throughout the entire workout! You don’t even have to be good at dancing to enjoy this type of class—it focuses more on getting your posture right and heart rate up.

Salsa

Salsa is a great way to burn calories and have fun while doing it! This type of dance focuses on hip movements and can be done with a partner or by yourself. The great thing about Salsa is that you don’t even need any special equipment—just some music, some space, and your body! Latin music is super catchy and keeps you moving throughout. You can even practice in front of the mirror at home to get comfortable with the moves before trying them out in public.

Ultimate Frisbee

Ultimate Frisbee is a great way to get outside and enjoy some fresh air. This sport involves passing a disc down the field to each other, trying to score points by getting it into the end zone. You can do this either on grass or in sand depending on where you are. If you’re not sure how to play, there are tons of tutorials online that will help.

Swimming

Swimming is another great way to stay active. It’s a mid-impact activity that will help tone your muscles and burn calories. You can do this either in a pool or at the beach depending on where you live. If you don’t like swimming, there are tons of other water sports you can try. You could go parasailing or jet skiing for example but they might not exactly get you sweating in the water (no way to tell) like swimming probably does.

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing is another great way to get active. It’s also a mid-impact sport that will tone your muscles and burn calories. You can do this either at an indoor climbing gym, which is fairly common these days or outdoors in some sort of natural setting like a cliff face. Maybe just the former till you know what you are doing. If you’ve never done rock climbing before, it can be a bit scary. But if you have someone with experience to show you the ropes and how to belay safely, it shouldn’t be too bad at all.

Hiking

Hiking is another great way to get outside and enjoy nature. It’s also a low-impact sport that will tone your muscles, burn calories and help you clear your head at the same time. You can do this alone or with friends, but it’s best if you have some hiking experience under your belt before heading off into the wilderness on your own.

Martial Arts

Do you have a competitive streak? If so, martial arts are a great way to channel that energy into something positive. There are many types of martial arts, including karate and taekwondo, but all of them involve skill-building through repetition and discipline. This will help you to improve your focus, coordination, and strength. You’ll also learn how to face adversity as well as how to defend yourself if the situation calls for it.

Trampolining

If you have kids, chances are you’ve seen them bouncing around on a trampoline. But did you know that jumping on a trampoline can be a great way to get in shape? Trampolining is an excellent cardio workout and helps build muscle tone while improving coordination. You can also perform a variety of different exercises on a trampoline, including push-ups and squats. You may not think of trampolining as an exercise, but isn't that the best part?

Kayaking

Kayaking is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and get in shape at the same time. You can paddle around lakes or reservoirs, rivers, and even ocean bays. If you have access to a kayak, try paddling for at least 30 minutes at a time. This is a great way to get in some move-time when you are vacationing and maybe feeling a bit guilty about that huge champagne lunch.

Racquetball

Racquetball is an excellent way to get in shape. Racquetball courts are usually located at gyms or health clubs, so if you have access to one of these places, give racquetball a try! This game can be played by two people or one person against a machine (which simulates an opponent). If you are playing by yourself, start out with a slow-paced game in order to get warmed up. As you get better at the game, increase your speed and intensity.

There you go my lovely ladies- everything I could think of to avoid the gym while still being able to get sweaty! What are your favorite moves? What keeps you moving? Let's share movement stories! Let me know in the comments below.