Making exercise fun is one of the best ways to stay motivated and engaged with your fitness routine - and here are 12 ways we think you can do it:
Try everything once!
- Try different activities: Explore various physical activities such as dancing, hiking, swimming, or martial arts. Start with beginner sessions if you're wary of overdoing it - but the key thing is to simply try different workouts to find what you enjoy the most.
- Exercise with friends: Engage in group activities or join a sports team. Working out with friends not only makes it more enjoyable but also provides social interaction and accountability.
- Combine it with entertainment. Set up an audible account here and listen to all the latest new releases while you walk, run or cycle. If you have an indoor routine involving weights, a treadmill or stationery bike, you can look forward to your exercise routine as a time when you catch up on Netflix et al.
- Set goals and track progress: Establish specific fitness goals and track your progress. Celebrate your achievements along the way, which can make exercise more rewarding and exciting.
Use Your exercise regime as a time for entertainment.
- Incorporate music: Create an energising workout playlist with your favourite songs. Music can boost your mood and provide motivation during exercise.
- Gamify your workouts: Use fitness apps or wearable devices that turn your exercise into a game. These can track your progress, set challenges, and offer rewards, making your workouts more interactive and fun. Alternative, check out our guide to which Fitbit might suit you best.
Track your progress to mark your hard work seem like a game.
- A huge benefit of exercise is its ability to release endorphins and other feel-good chemicals. To give the prospect of your exercise regime an automatic sense of fun and motivation - take conscious stock of your mood before your regime and how much it's improved once you're done.
- Explore outdoor workouts: Take advantage of nature by going for a run in a scenic park, cycling on a trail, or practicing yoga on the beach. Outdoor workouts provide a change of scenery and fresh air.
Enjoy the outdoors!- Join fitness classes or programs: Participate in group fitness classes, such as Zumba, kickboxing, or yoga. These classes often have a lively atmosphere and expert instructors who can guide and motivate you.
- Reward yourself: Set up a reward system for reaching fitness milestones. Treat yourself to something you enjoy, like a massage, a new workout outfit, or a healthy snack, as a way to stay motivated.
- Challenge yourself: Set personal challenges, such as completing a 5K race, trying a new exercise routine, or increasing the intensity of your workouts. The sense of accomplishment from overcoming challenges can be highly rewarding. Depending on what motivates you, you could aim to fit into a specific outfit by a certain date or set a goal for a date night or event coming up. Having a long term goal but also several short term ones means there's always something to aim for that's continually within reach.
Get the family involved.
- Make it a family affair: Involve your family in physical activities. Play active games with your kids, go for family bike rides, or take weekend hikes together. This not only promotes a healthy lifestyle but also strengthens family bonds.
Remember, the key is to find activities that you genuinely enjoy. Fun = Motivation - so if you can seek that out in what you're doing, you'll be more likely to accept exercise as a regular part of your daily routine.
Audible link provided by AWIN.