Exercise has undoubtedly changed over the past few decades. Rewind to the 1970s and 1980s, and the best way to exercise for fun was doing cardio to music. Moreover, people are more likely to stick with enjoyable exercise routines than those they see as drudgery.
While that’s a great way to burn calories, there are so many options for exercise that don’t even feel like a workout. Are you ready to have fun, watch the pounds melt away, and look forward to your physical activity?
Fifteen Enjoyable Exercise Routines
Ah, who can forget Richard Simmons and Sweating to the Oldies? What about the Jane Fonda Workout with the leg warmers and tights? Then there were the Step Classes and the Suzanne Summer’s Thigh Master.
All these things were great tools and workouts during their time, but things have certainly evolved. However, today is a new day, and there are so many more options. Here are some of the best exercise styles that are great for your body, and they’re enjoyable enough to make you look forward to them.
1. Kickboxing
Kickboxing is one of the enjoyable exercise routines because it combines martial arts and boxing. While it was once a predominantly male form of exercise, it’s quickly attracted females alike. This contact sport can be used to burn calories and get in shape.
Another perk is that it’s excellent for enhancing your self-defense skills, which everybody needs. According to Greatist, this head-to-head competition originated in Southeast Asia in the late 1970s, and it’s still popular today. Different classes mix strength with skill, so you need to find one that suits your level.
2. Martial Arts
Martial art is a term that combines several workouts styles into one. It uses ancient art styles of self-defense, like karate, kung fu, judo, Krav Maga, and kendo. Through some form of martial arts has been around since the dawn of time, the hybrid versions known throughout the United States weren’t popular until the 1950s.
In Eastern Asia, there are both armed and unarmed styles, though mainly in this country, the unarmed methods are observed. Martial arts are a group of enjoyable exercise routines that are sure to have something for everyone, and you can start at any level and work your way up.
3. Cycling
Forget riding your bike around the neighborhood in the sweltering heat. You can take your cycling to the next level with a cycling studio. These studios have popped up around the country, and they incorporate bike riding with music, friends, and fun.
The idea of being able to do more than ride a bike is fascinating, as you won’t believe the things the instructor shows you how to do on a stationary cycle. It’s a lot of fun when you can do it with your friends, and it’s even better when it’s in an air-conditioned facility for the heart of summer. Moreover, if you are looking for electronic bikes, you may visit this resource page to see more e-bike options.
4. Yoga
Yoga is often thought to be Asian, but it’s traced back to 5,000 years ago in India. According to Google Arts and Culture, it’s an art where the principles of breathing are combined with your flexibility and strength. Like many other exercise forms, this one has many variations.
The great thing about yoga is that they have many modifications to suit your skill and flexibility level. Even if you have bad knees or other limitations, you can do chair-modified versions of yoga.
5. Pickleball
If you’re looking for enjoyable exercise routines, then you might want to hit the tennis court for some pickleball. It’s a radical twist to the traditional game of tennis, except you use paddles and a plastic ball. It’s considered a racket sport that combines badminton and table tennis for a newfangled workout.
6. Pole Dancing
Okay, now when you mention pole dancing, your mind probably wanders to the darker side of things, but poles can be used for high-intensity workouts. There are studios devoted to teaching people the art of pole dancing. It is an entertaining and enjoyable exercise routine. However, you must have extreme flexibility and muscle strength to make some of the moves.
While it’s not for everyone, it’s certainly something to investigate if you want enjoyable exercise routines that are a bit different.
7. Trampoline Workouts
Trampoline parks are a lot of fun, and you can bring the kids along for these exercises. What’s better than spending time with your family and having a great time burning fat at once? There are all different centers that house these trampolines, but some are dedicated to adults with sports as basketball incorporated.
Trampoline exercise is certainly a different way to burn those calories, and chances are it’s so much fun it won’t even feel like a workout.
8. Hula Hoops
Experts make hula hoops look like an effortless way to burn fat, but it’s much trickier to keep that hoop around your waist than most people think. It would help if you learned to keep your hips going at an adequate speed to keep the ring from dropping.
Newfangled hoops have links that stay attached to your waist, but they have a string with a ball attached to it. The goal is to move the ball around rather than the entire hoop.
Some people find these new versions easier. When it comes to enjoyable exercise routines, why not grab some friends, and learn to hula?
9. Cross Fit
Cross fit is a high-intensity fitness program, and it’s not for the faint of heart. It combines the elements of many different types of sports and exercise to work every muscle group in the body. There are quick and often explosive movements that aren’t for the faint of heart, so it’s not the best type of workout for beginners.
However, if you like to be challenged and can move at a fast pace, then it’s something you should try.
10. Water Aerobics
While cross-fit might not be fit for you, water aerobics welcomes anyone. It’s a low-impact workout that can accommodate people from all walks of life. Whether you need to lose 20 pounds or 150 pounds doesn’t matter.
The water absorbs the shock to your joints and makes this one of the enjoyable exercise routines that fits all.
11. Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are great because they’re very inexpensive and can be used in tons of different ways. You can use them to work any part of your body. The best part about these bands is you use your weight to help with the workout.
What’s even better is you can work out while watching your kids play or enjoying a tv show.
12. Bungee Workout?
The bungee workouts are not for those who prefer their feet flat on the ground, but they are one of the most enjoyable exercise routines. You’re hooked to a bungee cord, and a trainer works with a class to show you how to make different moves where you fly off the ground at points. It’s a lot of fun, but if you don’t like being hooked to a cord and airborne, you might want to skip this one.
13. Spring Stepping
Putting on some funky shoes and dancing with springs on your feet is something children would love. However, it also serves as a fun adult workout. You can do all sorts of things when you join one of these classes, but you need to be pretty steady on your feet to be able to enjoy these workouts.
14. Walking
Sometimes it’s the simplest things that bring the most enjoyment. Walking is a great way to get in shape, and it’s fun because you get to be outside in Mother Nature. Running was long thought of as the best way to get exercise, but according to US News, experts have proved that walking is much better for your joints.
While running may burn more calories, it should be done on a treadmill because it helps absorb some of the shocks to your hips and knees.
15. Hiking
If you’re the adventurous kind, hiking is a hobby that can be great exercise. Climbing a hillside is a workout for sure, but it’s one of those that require special training in some situations. You can adjust the intensity based on the location, but you need proper equipment for steep hikes.
Final Thoughts On Enjoyable Exercise Routines
When you consider all the different ways to work out, you quickly see that you have no excuse not to do it. If you’ve said in the past how boring it is to exercise, then the 15 types above can prove that it doesn’t have to be a drag—the best part about finding a fun workout involving the entire family in many instances.
Your partner or children would love a day at the trampoline park or doing a bungee cord class. Of course, some options aren’t child-friendly, like pole dancing. However, you can find something to burn fat, stay in shape, and feel amazing. Which activities would you like to try?
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