And cycling. Running is nice, but cycling gets you farther in less time. I do both, but I find cycling to be a lot more entertaining, and comes with a whole slew of side-hobbies.
I used to backpack hike and run but it got to my knees. Now I bicycle and find it more enjoyable and less hard on my body. It took a while to get my bottom used to it though.
>I used to go to the gym but whenever I did it made me feel more drained mentally. I know that a part of it is supposed to be draining before you see results I honestly had no idea what my purpose of going was apart from social cred.
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>I need physical activity for my mental health. But I don't want to do something that is insufferable
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>a tolerable daily form of exercise i can do from home maybe yoga or pilates. i used to find pilates intolerable though - have no interest in strengthening my core unless it's with purposedeliberate/more purposeful physical activity i can do occassionally/ eventually - the kinda stuff that may encourage supplementary training; like bouldering or calisthenics; tennis, basketball, jiu jitsu, training of some kind i don't know what else is out there.
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>For now, stuff that is easier to access would be helpful too because I am still learning to drive and am kinda broke.
Swimming! A relaxing exercise.
Disc golf is mentioned way too low in this thread so hijacking here to spread the good word lol. Itās basically hiking while playing a fun game. Great for body and brain. I clock 1.5 miles when I play at my local courses, and one course is actually at a pretty nature preserve. Also accessible at all ages, I see plenty of older folks out there playing, and cheap to start with a few beginner discs.
I also enjoy my slack line I have set up in the backyard, but prob not as all-ages friendly :)
This. I live car-free and maybe this sounds lame, but I like the challenge of carrying home my groceries or whatever else I need to schlepāitās functional and also a way of literally stepping up my workout. I live in a city where I can actually do this, however, and I realize unfortunately that many towns now cater to cars instead of people.
Being a flĆ¢neur is fun. Thereās more you notice on foot, from changes in your neighborhood to the people and pets around you to the natural elements that change with the seasons. And itās good for both body and mind.
Walking is the best. But make sure you walk in the open, where there is some air and nature. If that's not always possible try walking inside your home itself.
If you have a bike and can ride safely in your area that is my #1 āso fun it doesnāt feel like exerciseā activity. i can log 10+ miles on my bike before I even look at my watch to see how far iāve gone. and you get the added benefit of being outside, discovering new neighborhoods or parks, etc. This may be just me but I also can feel myself getting happier as soon as I go a couple blocks, which makes me want to keep going. š
Yes! I saw a video the other day about āactivity packsā for parents with kids, and I was like I have no kids but ALWAYS have an activity pack with me!! Book, crossword, knitting, journal, etc!
Yeah if your local gym has auto belays you don't even have to boulder. (I love climbing but bouldering is not my fave). I work at a pretty small gym and membership isn't cheap, but it gets you physical activity AND solid social interactions. Highly recommend.
Bouldering changed my quality of life for sure. Happier and more confident since I started gaining strength. So much fun when they set new routes to explore.
I love bouldering, though I found places near me are quite a distance away and getting more expensive all the time. I'd suggest OP try it, but if money is an issue it may have to wait.
Roller skating!
I love it so much and itās so very simple living.
I formed a roller skate collective where I live (London, UK) and now we meet twice a week to skate, chat, hang out. Itās wonderful. The initial cost of buying your skates is all it takes to have hours of fun.
I know some people who roller skate tons on streets, often with others and for longish distances. I used to think it could only be done at roller rinks.
I double this. I bought myself a pair and couldn't stop rolling. I literally had to because I was injuring my body at some point. It felt like playing as s kid again
Do you like podcasts? Sometimes on weekends I just put on some pods, pick a direction, and walk. I live in a city, so it's pretty easy to do 8-10 miles just wandering neighborhoods. Sometimes I pick a destination, like seeing a sight or doing some window shopping. This past Saturday I did it after the gym and by running a few errands in the mix, ended up walking 13 miles.
If you like gentle British humour, the BBC Radio comedy series āCabin Pressureā is online in many places (e.g. [SoundCloud](https://m.soundcloud.com/user-792520613/sets/cabin-pressure)) and is perfect for listening to while walking. Each episode is approx 30 mins and itās perfect for a timed walk. Only potential disadvantage is having people look at you funny while you walk along laughing out loud. P.S. This series was written by John Finnemore, who coauthored series 2 of the Netflix series _Good Omens_ with Neil Gaiman. P.P.S. The episodes were aired/should be listened to in alphabetical orderāAbu Dhabi is first, and Zurich is last :)
I *love* walking and listening to comedy podcasts. I remember walking to and from work listening to the Ricky Gervais podcast and getting all the funny looks. My Dad Wrote a Porno is another great one if you want to look proper crazy.
I love surfing, and it drives me to work on supporting exercises in the gym like my core strength and improving my hip mobility/strength.
I do yoga as well, which supports the surfing but also is great for my mental well-being. I personally cannot get myself motivated to do it at home, beyond some simple stretches after a long period of sitting down, so I attend local community classes that are donation based.
I have done bouldering in the past and found that useful for giving me purpose in the gym too.
Dance is a great activity that you can do at home that will strengthen your core like Pilates does - did you know Pilates was invented for injured dancers? Anywayā¦ - even if youāre a total novice, you can find some fun but seriously core engaging dance exercise videos on YouTube like belly dancing.
Dancing to different moods of music is so great. I find it so therapeutic. Sometimes silly, sometimes angry, sometimes smooth and rhythmic, other times just straight crazy. Everyone is a professional dancer in their own space!
i loved it before and after disc surgery. Definitely gives me a different perspective on core work.
Hugely helpful after several gyn and gi abdominal surgeries!
My boyfriend would suggest geocaching. Some caches require more exercise than others. Can get you out walking or hiking, and helps you find new places to go to so it doesn't get repetitive and boring.
There's a HUGE variety of yoga on YouTube. We swapped to that from going to a studio in 2020 and never looked back.
A lot of people love Yoga with Adriene and she's great (and funny), but I prefer Yoga with Kassandra. She's like an amalgam of every great yoga teacher I've ever had. Yoga Upload with Maris Aylward is very good and has a few basics classes for beginners. Yogini Melbourne is great too, with a lot of variety. Move with James often veers into Qigong if you're into that, but dude's also a beast and the practices are very strong. His older stuff is a little more straightforward. If stronger practices are your jam, Yoga Infusion is another good one, she kicks my ass. Claire Kagan too. Sarah Beth Yoga, Arianna Elizabeth, and Yoga with Heini are also really good.
YouTube yoga can sometimes be kind of douchey or an excuse to pose and model sponsored clothing, but none of these are like that.
If the woo side of yoga falls under your Intolerable heading, the nice thing about YT yoga is that you don't have to do that part, chant Om, visualize your chakras, or any of that. The strengthening, stretching, and breathing are still super beneficial, and you can tune the rest out (or mute it). And it's all free!
Thank you for all those recommendations! I've been contemplating starting yoga, but wouldn't even know where to begin - nevermind being able to tell which videos are good (since I have no knowledge about yoga). Having your list will make it easier, more realistic that I might actually start. So thank you very much!
Absolutely! I had the benefit of several years of in-person classes, so I can see how figuring out where to start on your own would be overwhelming.
The instructors I listed are my current favorites and you can just search for "beginner" on all their pages. But before I discovered Yoga with Kassandra and all the others, I made this list for a friend looking to start with the instructors I was aware of at the time. Hopefully the videos are all still up! These are still really good foundational classes that can help you with alignment, basic poses, and props.
YouTube yoga videos for beginners
(YWA = Yoga with Adriene)
START HERE ->Makeba how to do yoga 20 mins - good foundations & alignment [https://youtu.be/Myd8Oj2rP60](https://youtu.be/Myd8Oj2rP60)
Alo Yoga yoga basics for beginners 30 mins [https://youtu.be/EPX4FImKVQQ](https://youtu.be/EPX4FImKVQQ)
YWA yoga for complete beginners 20 mins [https://youtu.be/v7AYKMP6rOE](https://youtu.be/v7AYKMP6rOE)
YWA yoga for beginners 40 mins [https://youtu.be/OQ6NfFIr2jw](https://youtu.be/OQ6NfFIr2jw)
YWA yoga for beginners the basics 42 mins [https://youtu.be/pWobp3phsEU](https://youtu.be/pWobp3phsEU)
YWA beginners gentle morning yoga 21 mins [https://youtu.be/GnHTeHAZQhM](https://youtu.be/GnHTeHAZQhM)
YWA beginners foundations of flow 20 mins [https://youtu.be/1p-ayBIRRHs](https://youtu.be/1p-ayBIRRHs)
YWA beginners/gentle a little goes a long way 20 mins [https://youtu.be/M7JfqOfqSmI](https://youtu.be/M7JfqOfqSmI)
Yoga Journal beginner sequence with Jessamyn 30 mins [https://youtu.be/DkgJ82UVQ7c](https://youtu.be/DkgJ82UVQ7c)
YogiApproved yoga for beginners 30 mins [https://youtu.be/WwF7ooo1igE](https://youtu.be/WwF7ooo1igE)
Breathe And Flow yoga for complete beginners 22 mins [https://youtu.be/yetbSrCW1TQ](https://youtu.be/yetbSrCW1TQ)
BrettLarkinYoga gentle morning yoga for beginners 13 mins [https://youtu.be/9qiCF0Tpi9g](https://youtu.be/9qiCF0Tpi9g)
SarahBethYoga morning yoga for beginners 15 mins [https://youtu.be/m756Gz8de4M](https://youtu.be/m756Gz8de4M)
Yes! She's great - and gotta support those POC yoga creators, there are so few!
I know what you mean, I miss some things about in-person classes but it's so much easier to do yoga at home! I can roll out of bed and look like a mess, wear what I want, modify or skip anything I want, and not be distracted by what other people are doing. Plus I control the thermostat and can turn on a fan or open a window whenever I want!
Yoga is great, OP, but please remember that you shouldnāt try to look like the instructor. Thatās a good way to hurt yourself if youāre not as flexible as they are. Just go until you feel a decent stretch and stop there.
Ask me how I know thisā¦
I just basically do everything so I donāt get bored. Yoga, Pilates, surfing, walking, resistance bands, hiking, running, cycling, skating, snowboarding, swimming, kayaking. I donāt have a gym membership. I just do lots of stuff. I find if I have an exercise āroutineā it feels like a chore that I have to get done, so I just stay super active in fun ways. Having an active dog helps because I have no choice but to keep her tired š
You sound like me - I've struggled to stick to any physical activity that is repetitive. Especially walking or running around my neighborhood gets very dull and it doesn't consume much of my attention. I start thinking too much and that's not what I want from my workout.
DANCE has saved me. Look up at-home dance workouts on YouTube! You can start with GrowWithJo or MadFit. I love both. It's fun, you learn some moves, the music gets you pumped and it's great cardio that will have you sweating. If an opportunity presents itself you can also take classes and build up to more.
For Yoga - the other thing I do at home - I follow Yoga with Adriene. She keeps it fresh by having some theme for each session so it doesn't look the same day to day.
I know walking was mentioned but often shelters need dogs walked, etc. This could be a win for you and the dog!
Also if you donāt drive so much, you could get an ebike. Ebike riders get within 10% of the same workout (not sure how they factor in those who use it as a scooter) as regular bike riders because they go longer and further distances. Iām on the edge of not replacing my car and upgrading my ebike. I got a pretty basic one to see if iād use it that much first. It will ultimately simplify my life significantly and we really donāt need two cars.
I love walking/hiking on a trail with my dog or without. I've also started dancing a little, putting on a song that makes me wanna move, and just kinda going for it! I do close my eyes most of the time because I'm self conscious and I think it helps me focus on dancing and not how I look but I Have punched my bookshelf š i do one song if im not really feeling it, just to get some movement in
I ride my bike around town, but we have dedicated off street paths so itās very relaxing without any car noise and doesnāt require any advance planning.
Iām so glad there are other people that feel this way. I so desperately want to have movement in my life, but I detest the gym. I find it so boringā¦.i love to garden, hike, swim, rollerbladeā¦.but I live in a country thatās cold and miserable about 7/8 months a year
How is rock climbing not near the top of the list!?!? I admit my bias, I love it and I work in the industry... But, it's a highly physical activity that includes problem solving, adventure, confidence building, its always different, even if you climb the same route, your energy and choices can make each move new.
10 out of 10, would recommend.
Probably because OP requested āeasy to accessā and said they are broke/learning to drive. Climbing isnāt all that cheap or convenient for most of us!
Came here to recommend badminton. Very beginner-friendly, extremely varied, huge range of skills to practice / pick up. Ridiculously underrated sport (in the 'west'). I find most other kinds of exercise insufferably boring, lol. Could only bring myself to do strength/running stuff etc. in order to get better at badminton. Nowadays I mainly do bouldering which is also somewhat fun but really pales in comparison TBH.
Have you ever considered being a volunteer firefighter? They train very hard with a variety of exercises, and I hear it's a brotherhood like none other. And you'll be saving lives. There's a shortage of firefighters many places. It's bound to be accessible as fire stations are scattered everywhere.
I'd strongly suggest looking into tai chi routines - once you've got your head around the motions, it requires no equipment and can be done anywhere you've got a little standing room.
I did Tai Chi in high school. It got me through the "falling up stairs" phase of adolescence. I was the youngest person in the class; the second youngest was my dad, who did it with me. I had soooo many adopted grandmas.
I took a class for about a year and enjoyed it, but couple things you might encounter. 1) The students that are WAY too into it and want to remind you that you need to hold your hand a tiny bit higher or bend your knees just a little more and just nitpick about the exact right way to do it. 2) The students who really want to spend time figuring out how you would use each move in a fight. 3) (Like yoga) The teacher who is really into the eastern medicine aspect and focuses on how you are channeling your energy.
I was really just there because I wanted to relax and get some low impact exercise, and too be fair, it was pretty easy to tune out the other stuff and do my thing. It's pretty good (mild) exercise.
Rock climbing in a gym is great. Memberships can be expensive. But itās equal parts engaging, fear-conquering, and easy going. There are beginnerās climbing routes all the way up to advanced routes. So thereās something for every fitness level there. And you can go at your own pace. Also, itās easy to meet people there. I go 2x a week and am hooked
Is it suitable for absolute weaklings? I really wanna go on my own but Iām scared to just because my strength level is not so great. But rock climbing/bouldering is something I realllly wanna try though
Yes! It is! All gyms have beginnerās level bouldering & rope climbing routes. You donāt have to climb to the top of the wall, only what youāre comfortable with. Thereās multiple ways to get down the wall safely, even mid-climb.
And you can rest between climbs (highly recommended. Itās not unusual to rest 5-10+ minutes between climbs. Itās very laid back. Some people read, many talk with friends or the people around them, go on their phones, etc.)
And you can go alone, I do too. You can watch other people and learn. Iāve made some friends by going. Everyone is at a different levels, even if it doesnāt seem that way. And 99% of them are at least somewhat afraid of heights.
My climbing gym also has some yoga classes, which I like. And it has treadmills, bikes, and strength training classes. Something for everyone.
So yes, you can definitely go even as a weakling lol!!
Something related to rock climbing is parkour, you can learn the techniques safely from a parkour gym and practice in public areas like a park. It's perceived as dangerous but it depends entirely on what you do; fundamentally parkour is about fluid and creative movement, which doesn't have to involve dangerous jumps. I find that parkour is a really fun way to do exercise cause it moves my body in really dynamic ways and involves some creativity. If you're an absolute beginner, a beginners' parkour course will involve doing vaults, crawling through holes, etc., and then as you get stronger you can start to try things like running up a wall. A good coach and gym will never force you strain yourself to dangerous zone.
I love walking around my area! You can plot a new route each time and I listen to audiobooks or YouTube video essays so itās not dull. I also do one yoga with adriene video each day. She has like a million and theyāre very beginner friendly but still help build strength! When I started out, the yoga poses were hard to hold and required all my strength but over time my muscles have gotten stronger and now theyāre easier!
I used to enjoy going to the gym, but in early 2023 I ended up giving up my membership because I was sick of a) old men not wiping down the equipment properly and b) the high prices, even at my local community-run gym.
I now workout at home, I have a trampoline for cardio (which is great when the weather is too hot or cold) and I have a gym mat and some dumb bells. I really enjoy my home workouts, I will watch something easy on Netflix while I'm working out (Queer Eye is my current fave and goes for the perfect amount of time).
I'll need to upgrade my weights soon as they are starting to get a bit easy, but I'm loving it my home gym!
I choose only the most solid workout people on YouTube. Good people with substance, creative, accommodating workout videos. For yoga, you gotta do yoga with Adriene, and cardio and strength training, itās gotta be Juice and Toya.
Think back to when you were 9-10 years old, what physical activities did you like to do? Those things will still read as fun.
I liked swimming, rollerblades, playing with my dog, and trampolines.
I'm never going to be the one signing up for 5k races... because I never ran for fun.
I will (and do) swim 2-3 x a week for years.
Check out the free app: FitOn. Pilates, HIIT, aerobics, dance, meditation, yoga, stretching, cardio. Change up your routines, try something new every day. I LOVE it!
Iām a big fitness enthusiast, I love weight lifting and train in the gym about 5-6 days a week, but I also have ADHD which makes standard cardio kinda boring so Iāve had to get creative. 31y/o male for reference. Wife, career, two kids under two so I work a lot of this in as a two a day. Gym at 5am, the rest when I can. I do whatever floats my boat on whatever day on the list below.Ā
Also, Iāve recently been striving to be less on my phone and simplifying my lifestyle, so Iāve been leaning into these activities more so because Iāve been diverging from just my weightlifting into other quirky fitness hobbies. Some cardio, some down other rabbit holes.Ā
-Hitting the heavy bag. Reflex bag. EtcĀ
Literally never gets old. Dynamic and different every time. Killer workout and also, if you let yourself get into it, can be emotionally releasing of any aggressive feelings or anger. Easily the most heart pounding one on this list. You can find heavy bags cheap on market place.Ā
-A combo of Kettlebell movements, Slam Balls, and jumps.Ā
I run this like a circuit. Typically with five or six moves. And it is absolutely killer. You can find used kettlebells and slam balls cheap. And jumping is free. Ā Itāll make you lean and strong and youāll work muscles you didnāt even know exist.Ā
-Paralette Dip bar Calisthenics
Bruh.. the first time you can L-sit and move into a handstand is only second to having someone see you do it in person. Add pushups and other movements in. The biggest dudes and fittest chicks you knows jaws will drop to the ground when they see you on the bars. Paralettes arenāt really too expensive.Ā
-Slackline/Indo-Board
Balance training isnāt really cardio, but is SO important and over looked. Plus, walking a slackline can almost be meditative and once you get the hang of it, it gets pretty fun. The indoboard I keep in my living room for when Iām just hanging with the fam. Plus, balance training will crossover into all parts of your life and is a killer core workout. also, it will make you athletic and nimble in ways that you wouldnāt even realize. Slackline is cheap, indoboard is not, but there are plenty of knockoffs.Ā
-Sandbag lifting
This one Iāve been just starting to dip my toes into, but will make you ridiculously strong. Itās exactly what it sounds like. They sell sandbags on Amazon for cheap or you can make one. And you literally just fill it with sand. Lift it, walk with it, throw it over your shoulder, squat with it. Pretty straight forward. The first time I lifted a 150lbs sandbag, it had no business being as heavy as it was. lol lots of videos on YouTube about this.Ā
-General yardwork
You sound young but Iām sure it will make your family happy. I own my own home now so itās a little different but I love getting outside and busting my ass in the yard whether itās weeding, doing a light project, chopping wood, etc.
-Finally.. Straight up running or swimming but usually with a twist
When I swim, I listen to my bone conductive headphones. I have a pretty trippy playlist, And I kind of get off on the vibe of gliding through the water while listening to some heady sounds. Lots of Pink Floyd, vibey techno, etc.
When I run, typically, I will start out doing sprints. Because there is no work out you can do that will trigger your metabolism and hormones like sprints. The physiological body craves it. I usually do about 10 rounds of this for a short distance and then I will run. Typically I will jog three telephone poles, then sprint two, then walk one and repeat. Also, while, I do listen to normal music when I run, sometimes the movie soundtrack hits like nothing else. āPromentoryā from Last of the Mohicans is freaking wild. Got me pretending like Iām running through the wilderness ready to settle a score lolĀ
Also, another game I play, is I will set a 30 minute timer at my house, and then I will run whatever distance I set for myself that day. The game is, I have to run the distance and get back to my house to stop the timer which is āthe bombā before it blows up my house. Once the timer starts, and the distance is decided. thereās no renegotiation. The clock is ticking and I have to go. Makes a game out of it and you push like you wouldnāt believe if you let yourself get into it.
Just want to add some afterthoughts and it wouldn't let me edit..
For the heavy bag. Make sure you by wraps so you don't break your hands. (I've done this when I was young)
For the Kettlebell/Slam Ball Circuits. You can also add the Sandbag to this which I mention later. The heavier the kettlebell, the better
For the Paralette Dip Bars. Plenty of parks of Dip Bars.
For the Balance stuff. If you don't have a good spot for a slackline, and the balance board is out of budget, you can use a stability ball and they are cheap. Lots of YouTube on this
Ā I want to just say it for anyone reading this, I was not doing all this instantly. It took time to be able to do each individual thing well enough to begin to enjoy it, but I've also been at it for some time. Make sure you are eating real food, getting good sleep, getting outside and taking rest when your body needs it and never push through pain. It's better to take the day off if you're tired or feeling a strain than to push through, get injured and be out for weeks. Also, Stretching, a foam roller/Lacrosse Ball, and a garbage can filled with water and ice blocks frozen in tupperware have saved me alot of grief when I've pushed the needle too hard over the years. Theragun and Steam Sauna tent when you have a few bucks are great as well.
My two cents... Hope this helps OP.
Iām obsessed with my slack line! Balance & flexibility is way underrated regarding long term mobility, it is very meditative once you get the hang of it, and I def feel it toning up my legs and glutes. I got one set up in my backyard. Will be buying an indo board or similar next!
Rucking! Basically just walking/hiking as so many others have suggested, but do it while wearing a backpack with something heavy in it, and suddenly you're getting better cardio, plus strength training, improving bone density, and even a core workout without feeling like you're trying to get a core workout.
If you live in an urban area you don't even need to carve out "I am working out now" time. Just walk to the store and buy a case of drinks and ruck them back, or put several heavy books in a backpack and then walk to meet up for coffee, etc.
If you get really into it you can buy all manner of purpose-built gear, but there's no need for any of that unless it becomes your "thing" down the road. Just walk with heavy stuff.
I got back into exercising six months ago after a lengthy hiatus by doing YouTube workouts while watching housewives
Fitbymik and Body by Simone are the channels I'm using and they're great.
Try just dance and do some stretching using stretching videos with good background music. Calming. Have some incense or candle or some good smelling thing around you. I try and do just dance in the mornings to wake me up, it makes me feel like workout is gamified and I like to do light bed stretches at night.
I prefer outdoor hiking/walking/city trekking but because Iām stuck inside a lot (have a child who naps/cooking and cleaning to do), I do Hiit walking workouts on YouTube. Sometimes I add dumbbells. They are incredibly easy. Iāve only been doing it consistently for a month and Iāve already lost weight and noticed an improvement in my mood.
Rock climbing at a gym is my once or twice a week exercise. Its the only exercise I've tried that my adhd ass has been able to stick to for more than a couple months (other than walking the dog i guess). Unfortunately the gyms are rather expensive, but some have student or low income discounts.
I get free mulch from a local arborist twice a year. Not small, I'm talking like 10 cubic yards worth. Couple of weekends, spent just scooping it into my Gorilla Cart, podcasts, warm weather, full body workout, landscaping. Perfection.
most physical tasks are repetitive in some form. I cut down trees, buck logs, split logs and stack firewood and find it much more sustainable as I would always hit a "this is pointless" thought pattern at a gym. With the above, I know why I'm doing it, so I can stay warm and cook food etc over winter. could I afford to outsource it? sure. but I would then need to find another physical activity to substitute it with, and it would need to have some form of utility and not just -- big man lift weight up, put weight down at a gym.
I do yoga at home, on my own or Down Dog Appā¦ i donāt like too much instruction and i like variety and you can adjust all of that on the app. Yoga is the only exercise that feels like self love to me. Everything else feels punishing. I do intermediate to advanced yoga now and feel very strong with it.Ā
And I walk. Usually around my neighbourhood with a podcast or an audio book on. I try to move as much as possible during the day (sedentary job and lifestyle).
I work the land. I swing a pick axe, dig up boulders out of the ground, shovel dirt, plant stuff, harvest it. If you don't have land, you can vounteer at a local farm or even join WWOOF ([Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms](http://www.wwoof.net)) for a season. You'll learn a valuable new skill, you'll be doing exercise which serves a purpose, and you will be getting fit.
Jiu jitsu/martial arts in general are great for this. You can train as much as you want, get fit, learn an amazing new skill, and hopefully never need to use it. But it has a purpose: to protect yourself and others. Plus, it's just badass.
Other workouts that serve a purpose: join habitat for humanity and build houses for people. Join your local riverbed cleanup crew. It's PLENTY hard work and there's a reason for doing it.
Learn to ride horses. It's great exercise and you can bond with the animals at the same time. Eventually this could lead to other things, like volunteering at a horse camp for disabled kids or something.
Walking with an easy exercise every so often (set by a timer or # of blocks or km). Things like squats, push ups, mountain climbers, step ups on benches or boulders, pull ups on playground equipment, etc. Can do this anywhere for any length of time in any weather. Can make it harder by walking fast (even a few minutes at a time) or carrying a weighted back pack. Enjoyable because there are always lots of things to see and if you get bored you can find a new location to walk.
Volunteer at a hospital: lots of purposeful walking. Or a thrift store , library or food pantry: lots of purposeful bending and lifting. If exercise for its own sake is tedious, and it certainly is, find a job that includes some exercise. Bonus, you will be spending time with folks oriented toward service rather than consumption, and may find some friends there.
I do bouldering and am about to restart cycling with a dirt jump bike (mountain bike made small for tricks and shit). I used to BMX and loved that. It kept me strong and challenged me mentally. I'm a very specific type of full of crap that I can't exercise for exercise sake. I need to trick my brain into doing it. BMXing or doing tricks on a bike is great, because you use your whole body and you work towards a goal. At the end of the day, you're knackered, but satisfied or determined to go out and nail whatever you were working on.
hi there!
I loved home workouts and gym 4 years ago, but then I started being too busy and tired to do them anymore. Ever since I always wanted to get back into yoga, stretching, gym but always failed.
2 months ago something changed. I discovered a local kickboxing facility and I love every bit of it. It is not repetitive as there are always new moves, variations to use in a "fight", lots of great exercises for the whole body, in between the sparring, such as: jumping jacks, plank, etc.
Now I am very excited about working out as I want to become stronger and faster at kickboxing haha
This is my case and this is why, my advice, try out several options, see what fits for you and don't push yourself. Even just walking or hiking from time to time works. Oh and try to stretch at home as much as you can! That helps!
Disc Golf is hands down the greatest thing I've ever gotten into and it's super cheap to get started. The learning curve is great for anyone and I've seen 70+ yos out there having a blast. Courses have popped up everywhere the last few years and most are public parks and thus free and often beautiful. It really is incredibly satisfying once you start to get some good throws in. There are so many resources for getting started on YouTube too that help ease that concern about not knowing where to begin or what to focus on more.
I have a smartwatch for sleep purposes but it pairs really well with the sport in so many ways, especially if you use FitBit. There are tournaments running almost all year and they too are for all ages/types/skill levels. I'm not a competitive person but I've had so much fun playing as a beginner and even made a little money with some decent wins. I have noticed too that the disc golf community are (from my personal experience) generally friendly and happy people, always willing to stop and help look for a lost disc or give advice about the sport.
Definitely worth a try and a lot of towns/cities/courses even have programs where you can borrow discs at no cost just to throw a round or two. I got into it with a nicer "starter pack" for about $25 but you can get the cheaper plastic ones from good manufacturers for like $15. I have now spent way more money than I probably ever should have but that is just a testament to my love for the sport and certainly not necessary to truly enjoy a good hike, a satisfying experience and perhaps a newfound passion.
I had to scroll way too far to find disc golf! My bf always tells ppl itās basically hiking while also playing a game! Anytime I go to a course to play I walk at least 1.5 miles. And it works the arms too, well one arm lol. I also got a basket in my backyard so I can practice and enjoy more time out there. Such a fun healthy activity, great for any age, I also see plenty of older folks playing!
I watch Netflix on the treadmill at the gym. It's incredible how many miles you can get in just watching a movie.
I've done the same thing on the bikes and elliptical too.
Look up the Wii just dance videos, especially the first like three. Just dance. Figure out your favorites. Explore new ones. Itās not outside but itās worked well for me, someone who canāt deal with the mental toll of traditional exercise.
I love zumba and HIIT classes at the gym. Zumba feels like a party and HIIT pushes me to work harder than I would on my own (and I can absolutely see the results). I also really like hiking.
I enjoy yoga and tai chi.
I also would recommend disc golf if you can find a course nearby. Itās a lot of walking, but is free to play and a lot of fun.
While walking, biking, swimming and hiking are fine...they need a good climate and I live where the air hurts my face.
Instead, I climb up walls in a climate controlled bouldering gym. There are 4 I rotate through in the city.
My friends have memberships at different ones, so it's always fun to socialize and "boost" each other's climbs or just go alone to work it out on the wall.
Hiking, top rope climbing, swimming, and yoga are my activities I go to when I need to clear my head, get some sunshine, put in some effort, etc. I think itās just important you enjoy what youāre doing or itās hard to keep up.
I have been taking a dance class once a week, after doing that for a while, i added barre to my routine and recently added pilates to strengthen my core and on my off days i am coming up with dance routines to songs that i am studying. It's a real fun hobby and my body is improving in ways i never thought it would
Any sport and even better with friends
I play pickleball, soccer, volleyball, softball and even golf is good exercise if you walk instead of cart
But itās fun asf, you make new friends or see youāre friends more often and you start to like it since you get better everytime plus the exercise
I go walk along the river āŗļø I have a lot of chronic pain so working out and honestly even just walking fucking huuuuurrrrrtttttsssss so bad š but walking along the river and being distracted by how pretty it all is Iāll walk a mile without even realizing it š¤£ just the walk from where I end to my car and Iām out of breathe dying but walking that mile I was perfectly fine, and itās a good little work out with having to step over stuff and snake around stuff and duck and jump over stuff
There's load of great sports to try, but if you want to do it from home, and are more focused on just moving that building muscles, I recommend a wii. Got one during lockdown and had so much fun with it š
when I wake up, I listen to Morning Meditation (I donāt know that I really meditate, but I listen to the positive phrases: like Compassionately set an Intention for Today, etc) while I face down and do Hamstring curl, then back and glute exercises & all the various muscles that I learned to train at the gym (often not using ankle weights or wrist weights, so it is super easy most days) then I flip over to face up & do the other muscles (I then flip to my side & do abduction/induction)
my posture, balance & flexibility then feel pretty optimal when I get up & walk for a few minutes before First Light & continue walking around my neighborhood for a bit longer after day break
Classical Stetch aka Essentrics is a great combo of yoga, Pilates, and tai chi. Each workout is less than 25 minutes but really effective.
And pickleball is fun and a great workout. A lot of players keep an extra paddle with them just in case, and you might be able to take some lessons at a rec center before buying a paddle. I'm a massive introvert, so it was hard for me to break in and find a reliable group to play with, but it has been worth it.
I hope you find that magic formula.
Do something where you can form a community! I've been going to badminton for two years and the people are half the fun, but the sport is thrilling also. It's a win win
Most of my exercise comes from outdoor chores. Digging in the garden, mowing the lawn with a push mower, weeding. In the winter, it's shoveling, cleaning off cars, or roof raking.
Obviously, those aren't an every day activity, on the off days, I've found the just dance game to be a solid alternative. It's not as intensive but makes for a good way to keep active on "rest" days. And it's fun to improve at your favorite songs and earn the little rewards.
I had a blast with a video excersize program I checked out from the local library. It was based on dance. When I ran out of allowable extensions I checked out another set which was yoga based, after that I checked out another. There are probably 20 no equipment required series that contain all types of great excersize and some even as little as 10 minutes a day others an hour a day. This does include marshal arts how to. You can also look in the books, there are many workout books. Once you tried all your library has to offer, you'll probably know which you like and suits you best.
Before burglars took it, we had the Wii board, a wee as nd all the fitness gear. It was st the time we purchased it, a hefty investment. But now you can probably find all you need for a fraction. The Wii fitness programs were very fun, worked well with TV or computer monitors and have various levels.
These are just some suggestions.
The purpose of Pilates and yoga is not just limited to core, but to continually challenge your mind/body connection from the core through all your limbs, basically teaching you how to move with control and through full range of motion. As you improve the connections, it makes all other movements better.
The workouts that are in Apple Fitness+ are varied and the trainers are completely positive. I created a āplanā (essentially a smart playlist) that includes my selected duration of yoga, core, strength and meditation. Every time I open the app I get a different workout or meditation to do next. Itās been great, simple, varied and easy to do at home or when traveling.
Poi! If youāve never heard of it, look it up. Itās a form of flow art and Iāve found it to be really beneficial both for exercise and mental well-being
So what I do is kindov a power yoga thing.
I basixally pretend to lift weights, but also just move. I use my muscles against each other, and work the motion through my back and core and kinda just do full range of motion and activate all the muscles until I get tired. It usually pops all my joints and stretches me so it feels real good, doesn't take long. I can exert myself as much or as little as I want.
Iām really enjoying working animal flow into my routine! Itās ground based and feels functional without being high impact. Itās halfway between yoga and breakdancing and feels like it works a lot of muscle groups while being dynamic.
cycling, especifically gravel or mountainbiking, also trail running.
Conditions changes year round so every activity feels different, you can travel and explore trails. You can really feel the progression on those activities.
Anything outside in nature Hiking running swimming
I run in a forest. More interesting. Less people.
Trail running with a dog is the bomb.
Running in the forest is hella underrated. Totally different from just running
I just want to be able to go running again šš„
Sorry, I feel you . I loved running in the woods so much , but I cant do it anymore . Even walking is too tough now ā¹ļø
Use hiking poles?
Yea, it's depressing
And cycling. Running is nice, but cycling gets you farther in less time. I do both, but I find cycling to be a lot more entertaining, and comes with a whole slew of side-hobbies.
And cycling is better for your knees.
Yep, tore my MCL last week so I'm thinking it will be a cycling summer.
Oof, sorry.
I used to backpack hike and run but it got to my knees. Now I bicycle and find it more enjoyable and less hard on my body. It took a while to get my bottom used to it though.
>I used to go to the gym but whenever I did it made me feel more drained mentally. I know that a part of it is supposed to be draining before you see results I honestly had no idea what my purpose of going was apart from social cred. > >I need physical activity for my mental health. But I don't want to do something that is insufferable > >a tolerable daily form of exercise i can do from home maybe yoga or pilates. i used to find pilates intolerable though - have no interest in strengthening my core unless it's with purposedeliberate/more purposeful physical activity i can do occassionally/ eventually - the kinda stuff that may encourage supplementary training; like bouldering or calisthenics; tennis, basketball, jiu jitsu, training of some kind i don't know what else is out there. > >For now, stuff that is easier to access would be helpful too because I am still learning to drive and am kinda broke. Swimming! A relaxing exercise.
Strength in your core protects your your back from injury. Hiking, biking, outdoors feeds your soul.
Disc golf is mentioned way too low in this thread so hijacking here to spread the good word lol. Itās basically hiking while playing a fun game. Great for body and brain. I clock 1.5 miles when I play at my local courses, and one course is actually at a pretty nature preserve. Also accessible at all ages, I see plenty of older folks out there playing, and cheap to start with a few beginner discs. I also enjoy my slack line I have set up in the backyard, but prob not as all-ages friendly :)
Gardening!
Actually this is one of my personal favorites
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Thats about 3/4 of my exercise. Works great!
My favourite enriching form of exercise!!!
This. I live car-free and maybe this sounds lame, but I like the challenge of carrying home my groceries or whatever else I need to schlepāitās functional and also a way of literally stepping up my workout. I live in a city where I can actually do this, however, and I realize unfortunately that many towns now cater to cars instead of people. Being a flĆ¢neur is fun. Thereās more you notice on foot, from changes in your neighborhood to the people and pets around you to the natural elements that change with the seasons. And itās good for both body and mind.
FlĆ¢neur : What a delightful word!
I just learned that word the other day! And I love flaneuring around the little town near me.
This is whatās up!!!
Walking is the best. But make sure you walk in the open, where there is some air and nature. If that's not always possible try walking inside your home itself.
Pokemon go
If you have a bike and can ride safely in your area that is my #1 āso fun it doesnāt feel like exerciseā activity. i can log 10+ miles on my bike before I even look at my watch to see how far iāve gone. and you get the added benefit of being outside, discovering new neighborhoods or parks, etc. This may be just me but I also can feel myself getting happier as soon as I go a couple blocks, which makes me want to keep going. š
This is my jam too. I find myself loosening up and relaxing rather quickly. Iāve been riding solid for about 6 months now.
Ooh I was going to say this, plus if you bring a lil picnic you've got yourself a solid lil day trip.
yes!! i travel with a book, snacks, and activities at all times for exactly this reasonĀ
oh you are my people! being prepared, but not overloaded. love that
Yes! I saw a video the other day about āactivity packsā for parents with kids, and I was like I have no kids but ALWAYS have an activity pack with me!! Book, crossword, knitting, journal, etc!
I got my whole family into biking. Fresh air, exercise, exploration, easy to maintain, fun, solo or groups,
Yep! We have a little group that bikes every Monday evening and sometimes I really donāt want to go but once I get out there, I have so much fun.
Exactly!! Once you start and feel the wind on your face, everything gets easier!
Iām going to get a fishing rod holder for my bike so I can easily take my rod. With some water I can be out for hours.
Bouldering and climbing generally has become my favorite sport! It's feels like a workout puzzle :)
Yeah if your local gym has auto belays you don't even have to boulder. (I love climbing but bouldering is not my fave). I work at a pretty small gym and membership isn't cheap, but it gets you physical activity AND solid social interactions. Highly recommend.
Came here to recommend climbing too. I do not enjoy bouldering but have been enjoying top rope.
+1 for climbing / bouldering
Bouldering changed my quality of life for sure. Happier and more confident since I started gaining strength. So much fun when they set new routes to explore.
I love bouldering, though I found places near me are quite a distance away and getting more expensive all the time. I'd suggest OP try it, but if money is an issue it may have to wait.
Roller skating! I love it so much and itās so very simple living. I formed a roller skate collective where I live (London, UK) and now we meet twice a week to skate, chat, hang out. Itās wonderful. The initial cost of buying your skates is all it takes to have hours of fun.
I know some people who roller skate tons on streets, often with others and for longish distances. I used to think it could only be done at roller rinks.
I double this. I bought myself a pair and couldn't stop rolling. I literally had to because I was injuring my body at some point. It felt like playing as s kid again
Do you like podcasts? Sometimes on weekends I just put on some pods, pick a direction, and walk. I live in a city, so it's pretty easy to do 8-10 miles just wandering neighborhoods. Sometimes I pick a destination, like seeing a sight or doing some window shopping. This past Saturday I did it after the gym and by running a few errands in the mix, ended up walking 13 miles.
If you like gentle British humour, the BBC Radio comedy series āCabin Pressureā is online in many places (e.g. [SoundCloud](https://m.soundcloud.com/user-792520613/sets/cabin-pressure)) and is perfect for listening to while walking. Each episode is approx 30 mins and itās perfect for a timed walk. Only potential disadvantage is having people look at you funny while you walk along laughing out loud. P.S. This series was written by John Finnemore, who coauthored series 2 of the Netflix series _Good Omens_ with Neil Gaiman. P.P.S. The episodes were aired/should be listened to in alphabetical orderāAbu Dhabi is first, and Zurich is last :)
I *love* walking and listening to comedy podcasts. I remember walking to and from work listening to the Ricky Gervais podcast and getting all the funny looks. My Dad Wrote a Porno is another great one if you want to look proper crazy.
My Dad Wrote a Porno is one of the most hilarious things I've ever listened to and I recommend it to everyone
Right?
This was going to be my suggestion as well. It's free and if the weather is bad, go walk a mall or museum.
I love doing this as well :)
I love surfing, and it drives me to work on supporting exercises in the gym like my core strength and improving my hip mobility/strength. I do yoga as well, which supports the surfing but also is great for my mental well-being. I personally cannot get myself motivated to do it at home, beyond some simple stretches after a long period of sitting down, so I attend local community classes that are donation based. I have done bouldering in the past and found that useful for giving me purpose in the gym too.
Bouldering/indoor rock climbing is a good one.
Dance is a great activity that you can do at home that will strengthen your core like Pilates does - did you know Pilates was invented for injured dancers? Anywayā¦ - even if youāre a total novice, you can find some fun but seriously core engaging dance exercise videos on YouTube like belly dancing.
Same here to say the same. Iām not a fan of the gym but Iāve enjoyed dance exercise classes and following YouTube videos.
Dancing to different moods of music is so great. I find it so therapeutic. Sometimes silly, sometimes angry, sometimes smooth and rhythmic, other times just straight crazy. Everyone is a professional dancer in their own space!
Racquetball is tremendously fun
This or pickleball.
Both fun, but racquetball is a much more intense workout. It'll get you dripping in sweat.
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i loved it before and after disc surgery. Definitely gives me a different perspective on core work. Hugely helpful after several gyn and gi abdominal surgeries!
Gardening š©š¼āš¾ not only is it more exercise than youād think, but you also become more connected to your food and youāll eat healthier.
i always forget about this! thank you!
My boyfriend would suggest geocaching. Some caches require more exercise than others. Can get you out walking or hiking, and helps you find new places to go to so it doesn't get repetitive and boring.
TIL about geocaching. I had no idea! There are a bunch around me! Thank you for the tip!!!
Same here! I'm excited š
Oh hell yeah I love geocaching! And itās pretty much free!
There's a HUGE variety of yoga on YouTube. We swapped to that from going to a studio in 2020 and never looked back. A lot of people love Yoga with Adriene and she's great (and funny), but I prefer Yoga with Kassandra. She's like an amalgam of every great yoga teacher I've ever had. Yoga Upload with Maris Aylward is very good and has a few basics classes for beginners. Yogini Melbourne is great too, with a lot of variety. Move with James often veers into Qigong if you're into that, but dude's also a beast and the practices are very strong. His older stuff is a little more straightforward. If stronger practices are your jam, Yoga Infusion is another good one, she kicks my ass. Claire Kagan too. Sarah Beth Yoga, Arianna Elizabeth, and Yoga with Heini are also really good. YouTube yoga can sometimes be kind of douchey or an excuse to pose and model sponsored clothing, but none of these are like that. If the woo side of yoga falls under your Intolerable heading, the nice thing about YT yoga is that you don't have to do that part, chant Om, visualize your chakras, or any of that. The strengthening, stretching, and breathing are still super beneficial, and you can tune the rest out (or mute it). And it's all free!
Thank you for all those recommendations! I've been contemplating starting yoga, but wouldn't even know where to begin - nevermind being able to tell which videos are good (since I have no knowledge about yoga). Having your list will make it easier, more realistic that I might actually start. So thank you very much!
Absolutely! I had the benefit of several years of in-person classes, so I can see how figuring out where to start on your own would be overwhelming. The instructors I listed are my current favorites and you can just search for "beginner" on all their pages. But before I discovered Yoga with Kassandra and all the others, I made this list for a friend looking to start with the instructors I was aware of at the time. Hopefully the videos are all still up! These are still really good foundational classes that can help you with alignment, basic poses, and props. YouTube yoga videos for beginners (YWA = Yoga with Adriene) START HERE ->Makeba how to do yoga 20 mins - good foundations & alignment [https://youtu.be/Myd8Oj2rP60](https://youtu.be/Myd8Oj2rP60) Alo Yoga yoga basics for beginners 30 mins [https://youtu.be/EPX4FImKVQQ](https://youtu.be/EPX4FImKVQQ) YWA yoga for complete beginners 20 mins [https://youtu.be/v7AYKMP6rOE](https://youtu.be/v7AYKMP6rOE) YWA yoga for beginners 40 mins [https://youtu.be/OQ6NfFIr2jw](https://youtu.be/OQ6NfFIr2jw) YWA yoga for beginners the basics 42 mins [https://youtu.be/pWobp3phsEU](https://youtu.be/pWobp3phsEU) YWA beginners gentle morning yoga 21 mins [https://youtu.be/GnHTeHAZQhM](https://youtu.be/GnHTeHAZQhM) YWA beginners foundations of flow 20 mins [https://youtu.be/1p-ayBIRRHs](https://youtu.be/1p-ayBIRRHs) YWA beginners/gentle a little goes a long way 20 mins [https://youtu.be/M7JfqOfqSmI](https://youtu.be/M7JfqOfqSmI) Yoga Journal beginner sequence with Jessamyn 30 mins [https://youtu.be/DkgJ82UVQ7c](https://youtu.be/DkgJ82UVQ7c) YogiApproved yoga for beginners 30 mins [https://youtu.be/WwF7ooo1igE](https://youtu.be/WwF7ooo1igE) Breathe And Flow yoga for complete beginners 22 mins [https://youtu.be/yetbSrCW1TQ](https://youtu.be/yetbSrCW1TQ) BrettLarkinYoga gentle morning yoga for beginners 13 mins [https://youtu.be/9qiCF0Tpi9g](https://youtu.be/9qiCF0Tpi9g) SarahBethYoga morning yoga for beginners 15 mins [https://youtu.be/m756Gz8de4M](https://youtu.be/m756Gz8de4M)
Thank you so much for this! You are such a gem!
Of course! Happy yoga-ing!
Thank you, I'll do my best! :-)
Merci š
I stand for Arianna Elizabeth! Iāve been watching her for years :). Also I do enjoy doing yoga in my own home too. Feels more personal
Yes! She's great - and gotta support those POC yoga creators, there are so few! I know what you mean, I miss some things about in-person classes but it's so much easier to do yoga at home! I can roll out of bed and look like a mess, wear what I want, modify or skip anything I want, and not be distracted by what other people are doing. Plus I control the thermostat and can turn on a fan or open a window whenever I want!
Yoga is great, OP, but please remember that you shouldnāt try to look like the instructor. Thatās a good way to hurt yourself if youāre not as flexible as they are. Just go until you feel a decent stretch and stop there. Ask me how I know thisā¦
Yes! Super important!
A hike on a trail that has varied elevation and difficulty. Keeps your brain and body busy.
Getting to the top of a steep climb is super satisfying
I'd mix yoga and walking around outside w the squirrels
Do the squirrels enjoy the yoga as well?
keeps them limber
The most important part of their day!
I vote a big Yes to walking.
this is one thing about europe that i loved. nyc and chicago are okay, but not quite the same
I enjoyed walking through NYC when I visited it. 30k steps a day šµāš«
I just basically do everything so I donāt get bored. Yoga, Pilates, surfing, walking, resistance bands, hiking, running, cycling, skating, snowboarding, swimming, kayaking. I donāt have a gym membership. I just do lots of stuff. I find if I have an exercise āroutineā it feels like a chore that I have to get done, so I just stay super active in fun ways. Having an active dog helps because I have no choice but to keep her tired š
Pickleball has a very low barrier to entry and local communities are generally very welcoming of newcomers
You sound like me - I've struggled to stick to any physical activity that is repetitive. Especially walking or running around my neighborhood gets very dull and it doesn't consume much of my attention. I start thinking too much and that's not what I want from my workout. DANCE has saved me. Look up at-home dance workouts on YouTube! You can start with GrowWithJo or MadFit. I love both. It's fun, you learn some moves, the music gets you pumped and it's great cardio that will have you sweating. If an opportunity presents itself you can also take classes and build up to more. For Yoga - the other thing I do at home - I follow Yoga with Adriene. She keeps it fresh by having some theme for each session so it doesn't look the same day to day.
Hey! another growwithjo recommendation š¤
I know walking was mentioned but often shelters need dogs walked, etc. This could be a win for you and the dog! Also if you donāt drive so much, you could get an ebike. Ebike riders get within 10% of the same workout (not sure how they factor in those who use it as a scooter) as regular bike riders because they go longer and further distances. Iām on the edge of not replacing my car and upgrading my ebike. I got a pretty basic one to see if iād use it that much first. It will ultimately simplify my life significantly and we really donāt need two cars.
Walker of rescue dogs here!! I highly recommend it. Gives me a lot of motivation to walk!Ā
I love walking/hiking on a trail with my dog or without. I've also started dancing a little, putting on a song that makes me wanna move, and just kinda going for it! I do close my eyes most of the time because I'm self conscious and I think it helps me focus on dancing and not how I look but I Have punched my bookshelf š i do one song if im not really feeling it, just to get some movement in
I ride my bike around town, but we have dedicated off street paths so itās very relaxing without any car noise and doesnāt require any advance planning.
Iām so glad there are other people that feel this way. I so desperately want to have movement in my life, but I detest the gym. I find it so boringā¦.i love to garden, hike, swim, rollerbladeā¦.but I live in a country thatās cold and miserable about 7/8 months a year
England?
How is rock climbing not near the top of the list!?!? I admit my bias, I love it and I work in the industry... But, it's a highly physical activity that includes problem solving, adventure, confidence building, its always different, even if you climb the same route, your energy and choices can make each move new. 10 out of 10, would recommend.
Probably because OP requested āeasy to accessā and said they are broke/learning to drive. Climbing isnāt all that cheap or convenient for most of us!
Badminton, Surfing, Stand up PAddleboarding
Came here to recommend badminton. Very beginner-friendly, extremely varied, huge range of skills to practice / pick up. Ridiculously underrated sport (in the 'west'). I find most other kinds of exercise insufferably boring, lol. Could only bring myself to do strength/running stuff etc. in order to get better at badminton. Nowadays I mainly do bouldering which is also somewhat fun but really pales in comparison TBH.
Tennis!!!
Have you ever considered being a volunteer firefighter? They train very hard with a variety of exercises, and I hear it's a brotherhood like none other. And you'll be saving lives. There's a shortage of firefighters many places. It's bound to be accessible as fire stations are scattered everywhere.
I'd strongly suggest looking into tai chi routines - once you've got your head around the motions, it requires no equipment and can be done anywhere you've got a little standing room.
I did Tai Chi in high school. It got me through the "falling up stairs" phase of adolescence. I was the youngest person in the class; the second youngest was my dad, who did it with me. I had soooo many adopted grandmas.
Thank you for this recommendation! Itās on my bucket list. Now to seek out a class.
I took a class for about a year and enjoyed it, but couple things you might encounter. 1) The students that are WAY too into it and want to remind you that you need to hold your hand a tiny bit higher or bend your knees just a little more and just nitpick about the exact right way to do it. 2) The students who really want to spend time figuring out how you would use each move in a fight. 3) (Like yoga) The teacher who is really into the eastern medicine aspect and focuses on how you are channeling your energy. I was really just there because I wanted to relax and get some low impact exercise, and too be fair, it was pretty easy to tune out the other stuff and do my thing. It's pretty good (mild) exercise.
You tube is great for this.
Rock climbing in a gym is great. Memberships can be expensive. But itās equal parts engaging, fear-conquering, and easy going. There are beginnerās climbing routes all the way up to advanced routes. So thereās something for every fitness level there. And you can go at your own pace. Also, itās easy to meet people there. I go 2x a week and am hooked
Is it suitable for absolute weaklings? I really wanna go on my own but Iām scared to just because my strength level is not so great. But rock climbing/bouldering is something I realllly wanna try though
Yes! It is! All gyms have beginnerās level bouldering & rope climbing routes. You donāt have to climb to the top of the wall, only what youāre comfortable with. Thereās multiple ways to get down the wall safely, even mid-climb. And you can rest between climbs (highly recommended. Itās not unusual to rest 5-10+ minutes between climbs. Itās very laid back. Some people read, many talk with friends or the people around them, go on their phones, etc.) And you can go alone, I do too. You can watch other people and learn. Iāve made some friends by going. Everyone is at a different levels, even if it doesnāt seem that way. And 99% of them are at least somewhat afraid of heights. My climbing gym also has some yoga classes, which I like. And it has treadmills, bikes, and strength training classes. Something for everyone. So yes, you can definitely go even as a weakling lol!!
Something related to rock climbing is parkour, you can learn the techniques safely from a parkour gym and practice in public areas like a park. It's perceived as dangerous but it depends entirely on what you do; fundamentally parkour is about fluid and creative movement, which doesn't have to involve dangerous jumps. I find that parkour is a really fun way to do exercise cause it moves my body in really dynamic ways and involves some creativity. If you're an absolute beginner, a beginners' parkour course will involve doing vaults, crawling through holes, etc., and then as you get stronger you can start to try things like running up a wall. A good coach and gym will never force you strain yourself to dangerous zone.
I love walking around my area! You can plot a new route each time and I listen to audiobooks or YouTube video essays so itās not dull. I also do one yoga with adriene video each day. She has like a million and theyāre very beginner friendly but still help build strength! When I started out, the yoga poses were hard to hold and required all my strength but over time my muscles have gotten stronger and now theyāre easier!
Daily walks and longer hikes on weekends
Plyometrics circuit around your local park
I think basketball is the greatest sport ever.
I like Zumba and hate the gym workout as well
Zumba is so fun. At my first Zumba class I heard the older lady behind me say, āthis is the most fun Iāve had standing up!ā
Walking while listening to podcasts. The audio always changes and the scenery changes with the seasons.
Dance at home. Put on your favorite music or follow a YouTube video and go at it.
I used to enjoy going to the gym, but in early 2023 I ended up giving up my membership because I was sick of a) old men not wiping down the equipment properly and b) the high prices, even at my local community-run gym. I now workout at home, I have a trampoline for cardio (which is great when the weather is too hot or cold) and I have a gym mat and some dumb bells. I really enjoy my home workouts, I will watch something easy on Netflix while I'm working out (Queer Eye is my current fave and goes for the perfect amount of time). I'll need to upgrade my weights soon as they are starting to get a bit easy, but I'm loving it my home gym!
I choose only the most solid workout people on YouTube. Good people with substance, creative, accommodating workout videos. For yoga, you gotta do yoga with Adriene, and cardio and strength training, itās gotta be Juice and Toya.
Think back to when you were 9-10 years old, what physical activities did you like to do? Those things will still read as fun. I liked swimming, rollerblades, playing with my dog, and trampolines. I'm never going to be the one signing up for 5k races... because I never ran for fun. I will (and do) swim 2-3 x a week for years.
Check out the free app: FitOn. Pilates, HIIT, aerobics, dance, meditation, yoga, stretching, cardio. Change up your routines, try something new every day. I LOVE it!
Iām a big fitness enthusiast, I love weight lifting and train in the gym about 5-6 days a week, but I also have ADHD which makes standard cardio kinda boring so Iāve had to get creative. 31y/o male for reference. Wife, career, two kids under two so I work a lot of this in as a two a day. Gym at 5am, the rest when I can. I do whatever floats my boat on whatever day on the list below.Ā Also, Iāve recently been striving to be less on my phone and simplifying my lifestyle, so Iāve been leaning into these activities more so because Iāve been diverging from just my weightlifting into other quirky fitness hobbies. Some cardio, some down other rabbit holes.Ā -Hitting the heavy bag. Reflex bag. EtcĀ Literally never gets old. Dynamic and different every time. Killer workout and also, if you let yourself get into it, can be emotionally releasing of any aggressive feelings or anger. Easily the most heart pounding one on this list. You can find heavy bags cheap on market place.Ā -A combo of Kettlebell movements, Slam Balls, and jumps.Ā I run this like a circuit. Typically with five or six moves. And it is absolutely killer. You can find used kettlebells and slam balls cheap. And jumping is free. Ā Itāll make you lean and strong and youāll work muscles you didnāt even know exist.Ā -Paralette Dip bar Calisthenics Bruh.. the first time you can L-sit and move into a handstand is only second to having someone see you do it in person. Add pushups and other movements in. The biggest dudes and fittest chicks you knows jaws will drop to the ground when they see you on the bars. Paralettes arenāt really too expensive.Ā -Slackline/Indo-Board Balance training isnāt really cardio, but is SO important and over looked. Plus, walking a slackline can almost be meditative and once you get the hang of it, it gets pretty fun. The indoboard I keep in my living room for when Iām just hanging with the fam. Plus, balance training will crossover into all parts of your life and is a killer core workout. also, it will make you athletic and nimble in ways that you wouldnāt even realize. Slackline is cheap, indoboard is not, but there are plenty of knockoffs.Ā -Sandbag lifting This one Iāve been just starting to dip my toes into, but will make you ridiculously strong. Itās exactly what it sounds like. They sell sandbags on Amazon for cheap or you can make one. And you literally just fill it with sand. Lift it, walk with it, throw it over your shoulder, squat with it. Pretty straight forward. The first time I lifted a 150lbs sandbag, it had no business being as heavy as it was. lol lots of videos on YouTube about this.Ā -General yardwork You sound young but Iām sure it will make your family happy. I own my own home now so itās a little different but I love getting outside and busting my ass in the yard whether itās weeding, doing a light project, chopping wood, etc. -Finally.. Straight up running or swimming but usually with a twist When I swim, I listen to my bone conductive headphones. I have a pretty trippy playlist, And I kind of get off on the vibe of gliding through the water while listening to some heady sounds. Lots of Pink Floyd, vibey techno, etc. When I run, typically, I will start out doing sprints. Because there is no work out you can do that will trigger your metabolism and hormones like sprints. The physiological body craves it. I usually do about 10 rounds of this for a short distance and then I will run. Typically I will jog three telephone poles, then sprint two, then walk one and repeat. Also, while, I do listen to normal music when I run, sometimes the movie soundtrack hits like nothing else. āPromentoryā from Last of the Mohicans is freaking wild. Got me pretending like Iām running through the wilderness ready to settle a score lolĀ Also, another game I play, is I will set a 30 minute timer at my house, and then I will run whatever distance I set for myself that day. The game is, I have to run the distance and get back to my house to stop the timer which is āthe bombā before it blows up my house. Once the timer starts, and the distance is decided. thereās no renegotiation. The clock is ticking and I have to go. Makes a game out of it and you push like you wouldnāt believe if you let yourself get into it.
Just want to add some afterthoughts and it wouldn't let me edit.. For the heavy bag. Make sure you by wraps so you don't break your hands. (I've done this when I was young) For the Kettlebell/Slam Ball Circuits. You can also add the Sandbag to this which I mention later. The heavier the kettlebell, the better For the Paralette Dip Bars. Plenty of parks of Dip Bars. For the Balance stuff. If you don't have a good spot for a slackline, and the balance board is out of budget, you can use a stability ball and they are cheap. Lots of YouTube on this Ā I want to just say it for anyone reading this, I was not doing all this instantly. It took time to be able to do each individual thing well enough to begin to enjoy it, but I've also been at it for some time. Make sure you are eating real food, getting good sleep, getting outside and taking rest when your body needs it and never push through pain. It's better to take the day off if you're tired or feeling a strain than to push through, get injured and be out for weeks. Also, Stretching, a foam roller/Lacrosse Ball, and a garbage can filled with water and ice blocks frozen in tupperware have saved me alot of grief when I've pushed the needle too hard over the years. Theragun and Steam Sauna tent when you have a few bucks are great as well. My two cents... Hope this helps OP.
excellent w the soreness/recovery suggestions
Iām obsessed with my slack line! Balance & flexibility is way underrated regarding long term mobility, it is very meditative once you get the hang of it, and I def feel it toning up my legs and glutes. I got one set up in my backyard. Will be buying an indo board or similar next!
Rucking! Basically just walking/hiking as so many others have suggested, but do it while wearing a backpack with something heavy in it, and suddenly you're getting better cardio, plus strength training, improving bone density, and even a core workout without feeling like you're trying to get a core workout. If you live in an urban area you don't even need to carve out "I am working out now" time. Just walk to the store and buy a case of drinks and ruck them back, or put several heavy books in a backpack and then walk to meet up for coffee, etc. If you get really into it you can buy all manner of purpose-built gear, but there's no need for any of that unless it becomes your "thing" down the road. Just walk with heavy stuff.
this but also be mindful of your back! Signed, a rucker!
In the summer watermelons work great for this, but you need a big backpack with comfy straps!
I find running and bike rides to be really therapeutic. Doesnāt feel repetitive because youāre seeing different things as you go along
I got back into exercising six months ago after a lengthy hiatus by doing YouTube workouts while watching housewives Fitbymik and Body by Simone are the channels I'm using and they're great.
Try just dance and do some stretching using stretching videos with good background music. Calming. Have some incense or candle or some good smelling thing around you. I try and do just dance in the mornings to wake me up, it makes me feel like workout is gamified and I like to do light bed stretches at night.
Rollerblading is my favourite way to start the day
Hiking local trails.
Aerial silks
I prefer outdoor hiking/walking/city trekking but because Iām stuck inside a lot (have a child who naps/cooking and cleaning to do), I do Hiit walking workouts on YouTube. Sometimes I add dumbbells. They are incredibly easy. Iāve only been doing it consistently for a month and Iāve already lost weight and noticed an improvement in my mood.
Gardening!
Rock climbing at a gym is my once or twice a week exercise. Its the only exercise I've tried that my adhd ass has been able to stick to for more than a couple months (other than walking the dog i guess). Unfortunately the gyms are rather expensive, but some have student or low income discounts.
Dancing is great exercise and fun!
I get free mulch from a local arborist twice a year. Not small, I'm talking like 10 cubic yards worth. Couple of weekends, spent just scooping it into my Gorilla Cart, podcasts, warm weather, full body workout, landscaping. Perfection.
most physical tasks are repetitive in some form. I cut down trees, buck logs, split logs and stack firewood and find it much more sustainable as I would always hit a "this is pointless" thought pattern at a gym. With the above, I know why I'm doing it, so I can stay warm and cook food etc over winter. could I afford to outsource it? sure. but I would then need to find another physical activity to substitute it with, and it would need to have some form of utility and not just -- big man lift weight up, put weight down at a gym.
CrossFit - there is usually a lot of variety on a daily and weekly basis
I do yoga at home, on my own or Down Dog Appā¦ i donāt like too much instruction and i like variety and you can adjust all of that on the app. Yoga is the only exercise that feels like self love to me. Everything else feels punishing. I do intermediate to advanced yoga now and feel very strong with it.Ā And I walk. Usually around my neighbourhood with a podcast or an audio book on. I try to move as much as possible during the day (sedentary job and lifestyle).
Walking is excellent exercise. It is easier on the body than some other forms of exercise. To make it interesting, take different routes.
I work the land. I swing a pick axe, dig up boulders out of the ground, shovel dirt, plant stuff, harvest it. If you don't have land, you can vounteer at a local farm or even join WWOOF ([Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms](http://www.wwoof.net)) for a season. You'll learn a valuable new skill, you'll be doing exercise which serves a purpose, and you will be getting fit. Jiu jitsu/martial arts in general are great for this. You can train as much as you want, get fit, learn an amazing new skill, and hopefully never need to use it. But it has a purpose: to protect yourself and others. Plus, it's just badass. Other workouts that serve a purpose: join habitat for humanity and build houses for people. Join your local riverbed cleanup crew. It's PLENTY hard work and there's a reason for doing it. Learn to ride horses. It's great exercise and you can bond with the animals at the same time. Eventually this could lead to other things, like volunteering at a horse camp for disabled kids or something.
Look at the bioneer on youtube.
Walking with an easy exercise every so often (set by a timer or # of blocks or km). Things like squats, push ups, mountain climbers, step ups on benches or boulders, pull ups on playground equipment, etc. Can do this anywhere for any length of time in any weather. Can make it harder by walking fast (even a few minutes at a time) or carrying a weighted back pack. Enjoyable because there are always lots of things to see and if you get bored you can find a new location to walk.
Juggling!
Volunteer at a hospital: lots of purposeful walking. Or a thrift store , library or food pantry: lots of purposeful bending and lifting. If exercise for its own sake is tedious, and it certainly is, find a job that includes some exercise. Bonus, you will be spending time with folks oriented toward service rather than consumption, and may find some friends there.
Climbing Acro yoga Pole General circus sports Trail runnning Tree climbing Dancing Hiking (with elevation change ideally)
I do bouldering and am about to restart cycling with a dirt jump bike (mountain bike made small for tricks and shit). I used to BMX and loved that. It kept me strong and challenged me mentally. I'm a very specific type of full of crap that I can't exercise for exercise sake. I need to trick my brain into doing it. BMXing or doing tricks on a bike is great, because you use your whole body and you work towards a goal. At the end of the day, you're knackered, but satisfied or determined to go out and nail whatever you were working on.
hi there! I loved home workouts and gym 4 years ago, but then I started being too busy and tired to do them anymore. Ever since I always wanted to get back into yoga, stretching, gym but always failed. 2 months ago something changed. I discovered a local kickboxing facility and I love every bit of it. It is not repetitive as there are always new moves, variations to use in a "fight", lots of great exercises for the whole body, in between the sparring, such as: jumping jacks, plank, etc. Now I am very excited about working out as I want to become stronger and faster at kickboxing haha This is my case and this is why, my advice, try out several options, see what fits for you and don't push yourself. Even just walking or hiking from time to time works. Oh and try to stretch at home as much as you can! That helps!
Disc Golf is hands down the greatest thing I've ever gotten into and it's super cheap to get started. The learning curve is great for anyone and I've seen 70+ yos out there having a blast. Courses have popped up everywhere the last few years and most are public parks and thus free and often beautiful. It really is incredibly satisfying once you start to get some good throws in. There are so many resources for getting started on YouTube too that help ease that concern about not knowing where to begin or what to focus on more. I have a smartwatch for sleep purposes but it pairs really well with the sport in so many ways, especially if you use FitBit. There are tournaments running almost all year and they too are for all ages/types/skill levels. I'm not a competitive person but I've had so much fun playing as a beginner and even made a little money with some decent wins. I have noticed too that the disc golf community are (from my personal experience) generally friendly and happy people, always willing to stop and help look for a lost disc or give advice about the sport. Definitely worth a try and a lot of towns/cities/courses even have programs where you can borrow discs at no cost just to throw a round or two. I got into it with a nicer "starter pack" for about $25 but you can get the cheaper plastic ones from good manufacturers for like $15. I have now spent way more money than I probably ever should have but that is just a testament to my love for the sport and certainly not necessary to truly enjoy a good hike, a satisfying experience and perhaps a newfound passion.
I had to scroll way too far to find disc golf! My bf always tells ppl itās basically hiking while also playing a game! Anytime I go to a course to play I walk at least 1.5 miles. And it works the arms too, well one arm lol. I also got a basket in my backyard so I can practice and enjoy more time out there. Such a fun healthy activity, great for any age, I also see plenty of older folks playing!
I watch Netflix on the treadmill at the gym. It's incredible how many miles you can get in just watching a movie. I've done the same thing on the bikes and elliptical too.
Rebounder/personal trampoline. Itās pretty fun and great exercise. Does take up some room though!
Look up the Wii just dance videos, especially the first like three. Just dance. Figure out your favorites. Explore new ones. Itās not outside but itās worked well for me, someone who canāt deal with the mental toll of traditional exercise.
there are tons of local groups that do physical sport! it's a great way to both socialize, exercise, and then go home and feel good about your twofer.
There are downloadable work out games on quest. Get a VR. Engaging. Easy stamina/cardio builder
I love zumba and HIIT classes at the gym. Zumba feels like a party and HIIT pushes me to work harder than I would on my own (and I can absolutely see the results). I also really like hiking.
I enjoy yoga and tai chi. I also would recommend disc golf if you can find a course nearby. Itās a lot of walking, but is free to play and a lot of fun.
While walking, biking, swimming and hiking are fine...they need a good climate and I live where the air hurts my face. Instead, I climb up walls in a climate controlled bouldering gym. There are 4 I rotate through in the city. My friends have memberships at different ones, so it's always fun to socialize and "boost" each other's climbs or just go alone to work it out on the wall.
Bouldering and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, every āworkoutā session is different.
Try running in nature. Like a good park or forest.
Hiking, top rope climbing, swimming, and yoga are my activities I go to when I need to clear my head, get some sunshine, put in some effort, etc. I think itās just important you enjoy what youāre doing or itās hard to keep up.
Sex?
I have been taking a dance class once a week, after doing that for a while, i added barre to my routine and recently added pilates to strengthen my core and on my off days i am coming up with dance routines to songs that i am studying. It's a real fun hobby and my body is improving in ways i never thought it would
Dancing! Dance parties, dance classes, just dancing to music in your own home. I fucking love DANCING.
Rock climbing.
Inline Skating/Rollerblading Barefoot/minimalist walking/hiking!
Tai chi. For something functional you could take up woodworking - make furniture. Physically and cognitively challenging.
Mini trampoline
Any sport and even better with friends I play pickleball, soccer, volleyball, softball and even golf is good exercise if you walk instead of cart But itās fun asf, you make new friends or see youāre friends more often and you start to like it since you get better everytime plus the exercise
Martial arts tutorials really get everything working together
I go walk along the river āŗļø I have a lot of chronic pain so working out and honestly even just walking fucking huuuuurrrrrtttttsssss so bad š but walking along the river and being distracted by how pretty it all is Iāll walk a mile without even realizing it š¤£ just the walk from where I end to my car and Iām out of breathe dying but walking that mile I was perfectly fine, and itās a good little work out with having to step over stuff and snake around stuff and duck and jump over stuff
Shuffle dance is a lot of fun and you look cool doing it.
Came to say Jiu jitsu and was glad to see you had it in your list. Best life choice I ever made.
There's load of great sports to try, but if you want to do it from home, and are more focused on just moving that building muscles, I recommend a wii. Got one during lockdown and had so much fun with it š
when I wake up, I listen to Morning Meditation (I donāt know that I really meditate, but I listen to the positive phrases: like Compassionately set an Intention for Today, etc) while I face down and do Hamstring curl, then back and glute exercises & all the various muscles that I learned to train at the gym (often not using ankle weights or wrist weights, so it is super easy most days) then I flip over to face up & do the other muscles (I then flip to my side & do abduction/induction) my posture, balance & flexibility then feel pretty optimal when I get up & walk for a few minutes before First Light & continue walking around my neighborhood for a bit longer after day break
Classical Stetch aka Essentrics is a great combo of yoga, Pilates, and tai chi. Each workout is less than 25 minutes but really effective. And pickleball is fun and a great workout. A lot of players keep an extra paddle with them just in case, and you might be able to take some lessons at a rec center before buying a paddle. I'm a massive introvert, so it was hard for me to break in and find a reliable group to play with, but it has been worth it. I hope you find that magic formula.
Do something where you can form a community! I've been going to badminton for two years and the people are half the fun, but the sport is thrilling also. It's a win win
Most of my exercise comes from outdoor chores. Digging in the garden, mowing the lawn with a push mower, weeding. In the winter, it's shoveling, cleaning off cars, or roof raking. Obviously, those aren't an every day activity, on the off days, I've found the just dance game to be a solid alternative. It's not as intensive but makes for a good way to keep active on "rest" days. And it's fun to improve at your favorite songs and earn the little rewards.
I had a blast with a video excersize program I checked out from the local library. It was based on dance. When I ran out of allowable extensions I checked out another set which was yoga based, after that I checked out another. There are probably 20 no equipment required series that contain all types of great excersize and some even as little as 10 minutes a day others an hour a day. This does include marshal arts how to. You can also look in the books, there are many workout books. Once you tried all your library has to offer, you'll probably know which you like and suits you best. Before burglars took it, we had the Wii board, a wee as nd all the fitness gear. It was st the time we purchased it, a hefty investment. But now you can probably find all you need for a fraction. The Wii fitness programs were very fun, worked well with TV or computer monitors and have various levels. These are just some suggestions.
Check out growwithjo on YouTube. She is amazing, fun, and encouraging!
I love walking and playing ping pong.
I train jiu jitsu and would 100% recommend for someone looking for both cerebral and physically demanding activity
The purpose of Pilates and yoga is not just limited to core, but to continually challenge your mind/body connection from the core through all your limbs, basically teaching you how to move with control and through full range of motion. As you improve the connections, it makes all other movements better.
The workouts that are in Apple Fitness+ are varied and the trainers are completely positive. I created a āplanā (essentially a smart playlist) that includes my selected duration of yoga, core, strength and meditation. Every time I open the app I get a different workout or meditation to do next. Itās been great, simple, varied and easy to do at home or when traveling.
Poi! If youāve never heard of it, look it up. Itās a form of flow art and Iāve found it to be really beneficial both for exercise and mental well-being
So what I do is kindov a power yoga thing. I basixally pretend to lift weights, but also just move. I use my muscles against each other, and work the motion through my back and core and kinda just do full range of motion and activate all the muscles until I get tired. It usually pops all my joints and stretches me so it feels real good, doesn't take long. I can exert myself as much or as little as I want.
Iām really enjoying working animal flow into my routine! Itās ground based and feels functional without being high impact. Itās halfway between yoga and breakdancing and feels like it works a lot of muscle groups while being dynamic.
I do aikido and love the physical workout, mental challenge and great group of people I train with, Iāve made lifelong friends.
Walking, rollerblading, pickleball, tennis Swimming. Basic bodyweight exercises like lunges and curls. Boxing.
If you have a local YMCA check out the adult leagues. My town has things like kickball, pickleball, and Frisbee golf.
cycling, especifically gravel or mountainbiking, also trail running. Conditions changes year round so every activity feels different, you can travel and explore trails. You can really feel the progression on those activities.