It’s no argument that exercise is an important part of living a healthy life. But lifting weights in a gym or going to fitness classes isn’t for everybody. Whether it’s about time, enjoyment, or cost, sometimes we just don’t want to engage in traditional exercise, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t dozens of other ways to move our bodies. Here is a list of 5 simple ways you can add movement to your daily life without stepping foot into a gym.
- Park far from stores to get in extra steps.
It sounds silly but when you’re grocery shopping or running errands, instead of looking for the closest parking spot, park at the end of the lot. Over time, these extra steps add up and you may find yourself getting an extra 1000 steps a day without even trying to fit in an extra walk.
- Buy exercise bands for easy at home workouts
If you want to workout but don’t want to invest hundreds of dollars into fancy equipment or just don’t have the room for it, buy some bands! Resistance bands are an excellent, and underutilized, way to train. They are super versatile, with just a couple of different strength bands needed to train every muscle in unique ways. Also they take up very little space so whether you live in a 5 bedroom home in suburbia or a studio apartment in the bustling city, you can still have your own at-home ‘gym’. Plus bands are not nearly as taxing on the body as weights so you can recover faster and more frequently!
- At home yoga practice
Yoga isn’t just stretching! You can develop a great amount of strength, mobility, and stability from practicing yoga. It is also a moving meditation, making it great for anyone needing a bit more calm in their life. Like bands, it requires little space or equipment (just a mat and some blocks if you want) and there are thousands of free classes online for yogis of any level. I love Ali Kamenova on Youtube or if you want to invest a bit more into your practice, Bananablondieyoga or Omstars has full classes, mini lessons, meditations, and more.
- Make it a fun activity with friends, family, and SOs
Don’t be afraid to ask your loved ones to go on this fitness journey with you. Instead of going on the traditional dinner and a movie date, try rock climbing or pickleball one day. You may find a new hobby you love and even meet some new friends you can continue to build skills with. If neither of those sound fun to you, try hiking. All Trails is a great app that lists hiking trails in all areas of the world plus it even gives ratings, levels of difficulty, and duration! But even if those activities sound too much for you, try just asking your roommate, friend, SO, or anyone you enjoy being around to accompany you on an after dinner walk. You’ll get in some movement, aid your digestion, and develop deeper connections with your loved ones.
- Invest in a standing or treadmill desk
This one may be a bit more expensive depending on what you choose but it could be great for those working at home or find themselves sitting at a computer all day. Most standing desks are fairly cheap and easy to set up. They allow users to stretch their legs and get a little extra movement during the course of their day. Treadmill desks are a bit pricier but another great option for those wanting to get in extra steps while working all day. Many treadmill desks vary in speed and incline so you can switch it up throughout the day and experiment to find what feels best for you! This is also a great idea for those who don’t have the time to schedule workouts into their daily lives. You can work and workout at once! Here is an article on the most highly rated treadmill desks!
