Finding Your Fit: 4 Non-traditional Ways to Stay Active

Let’s be honest, it is sometimes difficult to motivate yourself to stay active.  Between long workdays, shuffling kids, making sure everyone has dinner and daily housework, sometimes a chill session on the couch is much more appealing than a workout session.  Not to mention, I have a hard time wanting to spend more time indoors after working indoors for 8+ hours.  Nevertheless, I always find variety and experimentation with non-traditional workout methods helps keep things interesting and motivates me to be consistent.  This also helps keep you from hitting that plateau that can be further discouraging when you are trying to become fit. [1]

Here are a few non-traditional workout methods I enjoy. Maybe one can be inspiration for you to find your fit too!

Aerial Yoga/Anti-Gravity Yoga[2]

A bit of a personal confession, Pink’s music videos influenced me to give this one a whirl.  While this activity does require you to be indoors, it will definitely have you feeling like you are soaring through the sky.  The moves for this workout combine yoga, Pilates, calisthenics, and aerial acrobats while using hammock-like silks suspended from the ceiling.  Aside from being loads of fun, aerial yoga is great for stress and pain relief, particularly for those that suffer from back and joint pain.  Some other benefits are increased strength, flexibility, agility, body awareness, and mental clarity, not to mention it’s very freeing and self-fulfilling. 

Dance Workouts

Dance workouts can be done just about anywhere. Find a beat that makes you want to move and get dancing!  The great thing about this workout is you can do it in the privacy of your own home, or you can join classes at a local gym or dance studio.  The options are almost endless with all the different styles of music and dance that exist, not to mention technology makes it easy to find videos to guide your dance moves. Dance workouts can even be done outside with your laptop or tablet (maybe even in your hotel room if you travel) - all you need to do is a quick search online. Whether it be Zumba, Ballet, Fusion, Bodyjam, Jazzercise, ballroom, Latin, line dancing, or twerking, there really is a style for everyone and every fitness level.  Some of my favorite videos are found on YouTube, where I subscribe to specific YouTube dance channels and have access to tons of videos at the click of a button. 

Buddy System

A buddy system helps keep me accountable for working out and is essential to my fitness regimen.  The perfect workout buddy is someone that has the same interests as you, is at the same fitness level, and a similar fitness schedule.  I am sure you are thinking, “Yeah right, where do I find such a person?”  Let me share what I’ve found works best for me….a different buddy for each day or each type of exercise.  Having a specific buddy for specific fitness occasions prevents you from becoming discouraged if your buddy is sick or is unable to work out with you.  Each buddy is good at helping me be motivated at different things.  I have a buddy that I enjoy running with, one for rollerblading, one for core strengthening, another for upper body and so on.  I even have one buddy who is always up for a new adventure and willing to try out any non-traditional workout methods. Having a workout buddy helps to hold each of you accountable and makes you feel less guilty if something doesn’t go as planned. 

Get Outdoors

Summer is upon us, the nice weather and longer days really make it hard to stay indoors (at least for me anyways).   There really are so many options for outdoor fitness activities.  Some of my favorite outdoor activities include rollerblading, swimming, hiking, walking, running on the beach, skiing, paddleboarding, and even gardening. Whatever it is that floats your boat, be sure to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

Have you found success with non-traditional workout methods?  Share with us the things you’ve done to find your fit.

Resources:

[1] https://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/9-steps-to-eliminating-a-plateau.html

[2] http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/yoga/the-benefits-of-antigravity-yoga#0KAKB3L3S6PodVUd.97