While some folks have their #GymFlow selfies on-lock, many of us can’t even convince ourselves to put on workout gear. Others are guilty of quitting about a month into their new fitness routine. Sometimes, the reward of being healthy or in shape isn’t enough to get us out of bed earlier or off the couch to exercise after a long day of work.
So if you if you need an extra push, why not inject some fun into your workout? Try out these six alternatives to spice up your routine.
Join your community team
You might be surprised what your hood has to offer. Some neighborhoods have everything from running clubs and basketball teams to flag football teams. With a small community of people to hold you accountable and cheer you on, you might find that a neighborhood team is an encouraging way to get in some cardio with people who share similar fitness goals.
And if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for in your area, try a close friend’s neighborhood.
Twerk on the ceiling
Many styles of dance, such as Zumba and belly dancing, will help you work up a sweat. But if you’re looking for a real upper body workout, try something in the air. Pole, lyra and aerial dancing will take you off the ground for core and arm conditioning and flexibility. Although pole dancing might be the most sensual of the three (and will more likely give you the opportunity to twerk on the ceiling), dancers often find aerial dance and lyra hoop more challenging. All are intense workouts for those of us who consider ourselves chronic couch potatoes, but after several weeks of practice you’ll find yourself with a lot more strength than you had previously.
Hit the beach
Beaches (and lakes for the inland athletes) provide the perfect backdrop for all kinds of exercise. You can run in the sand, bike, swim or even get a group of friends together to play flag football, volleyball or ultimate Frisbee.
Take a hike
If you’re the outdoorsy type, your best bet might be to get back to nature. Find your nearest state park and get to walking. Or, if you’re in the middle of a big city you’ll have to find a nearby hilly area and make due.
Train for a marathon
Having an end goal will help you stay on track with your workouts. Training for a 5K, 10K, half-marathon or (if you’re gutsy) a marathon is a great way to consistently stay in shape. After you’ve run that first race, you might have to sign up for another one to maintain that motivation to train.
But if you’re not feeling like Wilma Rudolph, there are all kinds of fun races to try out, including mud runs, color runs, zombie 5ks, triathlons and interesting obstacle courses.
Take a martial arts lesson
Martial arts provide a nice way to get in shape and learn a form of self-defense. Depending on your area, there are many options to choose from, including capoeira, jiu jitsu, krav maga, tai chi, karate and kickboxing.
If you’re interested in saving a bit of cash, sites such as Groupon and LivingSocial can get you deals on fitness classes. And if you absolutely refuse to leave your home to exercise, many fitness classes can be taken on Youtube.
So you might not have those Instagram selfies in front of dumbbells and fancy gym equipment, but you can still pose for the ‘gram looking healthy and fit in whatever environment you choose.
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