Photo by Rahadiansyah

Did you know that less than one-quarter (23 percent) of Americans get enough exercise? Regardless of your specific goals, we can all agree that regular physical activity is essential to anyone who wants to improve health and wellness. If you want to be more active but don’t want to go to the gym or do the same old boring jazzercise video, you’re in luck. There are lots of unique, fun exercises you can include in your routine. Listed below are some great ones to try today.

Dancing for exercise is one of the best options for those who want to lose weight but also want to have fun at the same time. Pick your favorite song, pump up the volume, and dance like no one’s watching.

It’s easy to use dance parties to squeeze some extra movement into your day, and it’s free. You don’t have to invest in any special equipment or memberships. You just need a song that makes you want to get up and dance.

Another great thing about dance parties is that you can get your whole family involved. Invite your kids to dance with you so they can burn off extra energy and settle down for their naps a little more easily (what parent doesn’t want that?).

Do you want to have fun, get your heart rate up, and enjoy the great outdoors? Hiking allows you to check all three of these boxes.

If you need more reasons to take a hike, don’t forget that spending time in nature also promotes good hormone health and can reduce stress.

Try looking online for trails in your area to find ones that are good for beginners and easy to access. There are lots of sites out there that rank trails based on factors like experience level, distance traveled, dog-friendliness, etc. to make your search easier.

Rock climbing allows you to build strength (especially upper body strength) and gives you a chance to have fun while learning a new skill.

If you’re not ready to go out and climb a mountain, check out a local climbing gym near you instead. Climbing gyms offer lots of different climbing walls to accommodate various skill levels. Many of them also offer classes so you can learn the basics from an expert.

If you’re looking to get in a great upper body workout and stay cool on a hot day, kayaking is a fun option to try. Head to a local lake for a leisurely afternoon kayak trip. You can also check out river kayaking for a more adventurous (and more calorie-burning) alternative.

Standup paddleboarding (also known as SUP) is another fun choice for those who want to get out on the water.

Standup paddleboarding is a bit more advanced than kayaking since you have to work harder to maintain your balance. However, there are also ways to scale it down when you’re first getting started, such as kneeling on the board instead of standing.

When did you last go out and ride a bike? If it’s been a while, or if you can’t remember the last time, why not hop back on and give it a try?

Bike riding is an awesome workout for your legs, core, and back. It also gives you a chance to enjoy the benefits of being out in nature. That’s something a sweaty spin class at your local studio probably can’t offer, right?

Bike riding is fairly affordable, too. You can likely buy used bikes and helmets at your local thrift store, and once the tires are pumped up, you’ll be ready to hit the road.

There are lots of fun winter activities that you and your family can enjoy together. Skiing and snowboarding are two of the most well-known options, but there are also more budget-friendly (and less demanding) picks.

For example, the next time you have a snow day, you can head to a local park and give sledding a try. You’ll be amazed at how many calories you burn every time you slide down the hill and climb back up.

If you’re looking for a unique cardio workout that also strengthens your core, consider picking up a high-quality weighted hula hoop.

Hula hooping is an awesome calorie-burning activity. On average, when you use a weighted hula hoop, you can burn 165-200 calories in just 30 minutes.

Hula hooping is also a good workout option because you can do it while watching TV or listening to music or a podcast. Combine two activities to maximize your productivity and avoid boredom.

Many people are surprised to learn that they can actually burn a lot of calories while playing music. Playing instruments like the guitar or drums can help you to burn nearly 300 calories per hour.

Don’t forget, learning to play an instrument is great for your mind, too. It helps to improve memory and gives you a chance to challenge yourself in a new way.

Get smarter and burn calories at the same time? Yes, please!

Most of us don’t associate playing video games with exercise and calorie burning. It all depends on the types of games you’re playing, though.

There are lots of video games that encourage players to get up and move around, especially Nintendo Wii and Xbox Kinect games. You can also play active games on your phone, such as Pokemon Go, which requires you to go for a walk and get outside to capture as many Pokemon as possible.

If you want to be more active so you can lose weight and feel great, there are lots of fun exercises you can do. Keep this list in mind and try to incorporate these ideas into your routine more often.

Need some extra help jump-starting your weight loss journey? We offer several different medically supervised treatments that can help you shed those stubborn pounds and improve health and wellness overall.

Get in touch today to learn more about us or to schedule an appointment.