Jun
30
Non Gym Workouts
Filed Under Alternative Workouts, Motivation
I usually try to work out at least once over the weekend. Rather than hitting the gym, I try to do something active like hiking or biking. This weekend however, I found myself without a lot of spare time. Not only was it a school weekend, but my wife and I were in the middle of a move. Here’s a funny thing though, with a little change here and there, I changed a weekend that was going to be bad into one that was fun, productive and physically active.
Stairway To Fitness
The biggest change I made was during the move. Our old house was one the fourth floor of an apartment building. So rather than make each trip up and down using the elevator, I did it using the stairs. Total time was about the same but I was burning a ton of calories just moving.
Ten trips means 40 stories up. It also means 40 stories down while carrying boxes, plants and bags. This is about as good as an hour of cardio on the treadmill, except I also moved all my stuff.
Biking Trip
I also needed to go to the store to pick up a few things for the new house. Rather than take the car, I took the bike. The store is pretty close so the time spent is about the same, but I ended up with more physical activity and I actually saved money.
Gardening
We have a backyard at the new place which needs a bit of work. Rather than put this off to a later day, I decided to do this yesterday. About an hour of digging around in the yard, trimming branches and planting ground cover was another shot of good physical activity. I needed to do this anyway this week so why not do it on a day when I need a workout?
What Can You Do?
- Going somewhere? How about walking or biking instead of driving? How about taking the stairs instead of the elevator?
- Got a yard? Why not do the gardening yourself instead of hiring someone?
- Got friends who needs help moving? Tell them you’re in and then revel in the fact that someone is going to feed you and thank you for working out.
- Shopping for a small amount of things at the supermarket? How about using a basket instead of a cart?
It’s the little things that matter folks. All these little things combined will turn your life from sedentary to active and isn’t that what you’re looking for?
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While the gardening helped, the most important changes were the stairs while moving and the bike to the store. These are things most people choose not to do. In our day to day lives, we usually choose the easy path. The easy path is more comfortable and it requires less effort, but it’s also less beneficial.
I chose the less than easy path and it paid off. I got a good workout while also being very productive. What about you? Is there something in your life that you could make a bit more physically active? I realize it sounds counter intuitive, almost like asking you to do something the hard way on purpose. However, when you think about it, aren’t you here and reading this because you want to get in shape? If that’s the case, then the “hard” way might actually be the right way for you.
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Comments
6 Responses to “Non Gym Workouts”
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Good practical advice. gym’s cost so much these days and I agree that most of the exercise can be done without
One simple tip is simply to walk places instead of taking the car. Or, alternatively, if you use public transport to go to work, for example, get off a few stops before you normally do and walk the rest of the way. Little things like that add up, and certainly for somebody at the very beginning of a health/fitness routine it’s a great start.
That’s what I love about running, though - you can fit it in pretty much anywhere!
Hello Sheamus,
Completely agreed. I love walking and not just for exercise. I love walking to the store, to dinner or even to a friend’s house. It saves me money, makes me more fit plus it’s a wonderful little break in an otherwise very busy life.
Gal
I’m doing the 100 pushups challenge and I can already tell that pushups will give you a great non-gym workout. I was surprised to feel how much my heart and abs were working even on this my first week of the program.
I like your idea about gardening as substitute of Gym workout. I know not all people like gardening. But for those who do love it, will be a fun workout activity. Recently, I’m doing non gym workout in the morning when I woke up such as sit up, push up,and another exercises.
All of these small things add up to a lot of burned calories. This thinking and these habits make a very big difference. Great thinking!