Alternative Fitness

Burning Calories When The Gym Is The Last Place On Your Mind

By Matt Tucker

So you want to get in shape, but you would rather get a root canal than go to the gym. You already ran the rat race all day at work and the last thing you want to do is feel like you are spinning a hamster wheel by jogging on the treadmill. If listening to Kenny G on repeat for five hours straight sounds more exciting than exercising for 20 minutes then you need to continue reading.

I have heard hundreds of excuses why people don’t exercise. I understand. It is hard to get motivated. Let me ask you this: what would you say if I told you that it is possible to have fun AND burn calories at the same time? It can be done.

Whether you despise the gym or you just want to mix up your workout routine, check out ProLong Magazine’s list of Alternative Fitness Ideas:

Stay Young at Heart; Play Like a Kid Again: For fun, fitness, and to meet new people, join an adult recreation league. You quickly forget you are exercising when running around on the playing field with your friends. Leagues like Sports Monster offer exciting sports like Ultimate Frisbee, Dodgeball, Soccer, Flag Football, Volleyball, and Broom Ball.

Put On Your Dancing Shoes: You’ve spent enough time on the couch watching Dancing With The Stars. It’s time to get up and dance. Sign up for a swing class or simply go to the club and get your groove on.

Walk the Dog: Fenced in backyards make dog owners lazy. Don’t just open the door and let Fido out to do his business. Taking your dog for a long walk in the evening is a great way to unwind and burn some calories while bonding with your pup.

Explore Your City: There is no better way to see a city’s nooks and crannies than taking a walking tour. Lace up some comfortable shoes and start exploring. You never know what you may find along the way.

Rock Climbing: Get your adrenaline pumping and challenge yourself. Indoor rock climbing is an excellent full-body workout, a perfect evening activity to break up a long week, and a great date idea. Rock on.

Build a Snowman: Remember how much you used to love snow days as a kid? Next time it snows, grab your friends and get outside. Make a snowman, build a fort, and have a snowball fight. Then grab your sled and feel the burn when you hike back to the top of the hill.

Kick It Old School: Fight off the pounds by signing up for martial arts class and give your love handles a roundhouse kick to the face.

Boatload of Fun: Rent a canoe or kayak and spend the afternoon paddling around the lake. Laughing burns calories. Add more laughs to boating by wearing eye patches and talking like a pirate.

Sex: Enough said.

Finish Your Chores: Yard and house work can be quite the workout. Keep the tractor in the shed and mow the lawn with a push mower. Shovel snow. Rake leaves. Chop Wood. Garden. Vacuum. Your house will look great and so will you.

Hand-Eye Coordination: Give your fingers a workout and log onto ProLong Magazine often to check out all of the awesome content that we have on the website for your viewing pleasure.

Share your Alternative Fitness Ideas by commenting below!