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It is important to do the best we can to keep ourselves motivated to stay active. However, sometimes exercising can be monotonous and boring, causing us to lose interest in it. Here are some alternatives to traditional fitness programs that will help you reignite your spark and excitement for staying active.
There are a multitude of businesses that offer classes led by trained professionals that allow people from all different fitness backgrounds to try out a new form of exercise. Some of these types include yoga (also subdivisions such as hot yoga or paddle board yoga), barre, and Zumba. These are amazing full body workouts that encourage participants to enjoy physical activity and meet new people. They promote increased flexibility, coordination, strength, posture, endurance, and metabolism. Zumba is one of the more popular forms of dance exercise, but there are many more styles to choose from such as ballet, tap, contemporary/modern, or pole dancing. Some classes offered are not only beneficial due to the exercise component, but also since they have a level of creativity and self expression. In addition to dance, some examples of these are aerial arts, trapeze, and martial arts.
If a class doesn’t sound like your thing, there are plenty of other activities you can participate in to spice up your fitness life. For example, you can join a local sport or start doing an outdoor activity. You can pick up an old sport you did as a kid or try out an entirely new one. Some other fun activities include paddle boarding, hula hooping, rock climbing, or trampolining. Some free and low budget ideas include walking, going to a local playground, or hiking. An option for people with a busy schedule is working out at work. This can be done by keeping weights by the desk, having a yoga ball seat, stair climbing, and seated stretching.
Another way to mix up your normal fitness routine is to use non-traditional equipment when working out. For example, you can push a cart or pull a sled. Swinging a sledgehammer is also a unique option. Many people swing ropes or use sandbags, water jugs, or filled bags as weighted equipment.
It would be impossible to write an article about every activity that can be used as a form of exercise because there are limitless options. You can also get creative and come up with your own! However, it is important to remember to practice proper technique and not participate in an activity that exceeds your fitness level.
So how are you going to workout?
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About the Author:
Abigail is a 2nd year student at the University of Texas at Austin studying sports medicine. She's originally from Long Beach, California and loves being active. Her true passion for fitness shows and she couldn't be more thankful to get to share this excitement with readers seeking insight on a variety of health related topics.
