5 Ways to Stay Fit Outside of the Gym
Regular exercise produces life-changing effects on your body and mind. Even just 30 minutes a day helps improve your mood, reduces stress and anxiety, promotes better sleep, increases energy, and provides an overall sense of well-being. Going to the gym is a great way to stay active and healthy, but on days when your busy schedule doesn’t allow for a more formal workout, it’s easy to find ways to incorporate movement into your everyday life. Read on for a few ideas!
Run Errands
Look at your next weekend errand session as a chance to move more! Park a little further away in the parking lot and take a brisk walk in to the store, or skip the elevator and take the stairs to get some extra steps in while you’re out and about.
Step Outside
There are plenty of opportunities for movement right outside your door, so lace up your sneakers and head outside! Take your dog for a walk or ride bikes to your local park with the family. Don’t have time for a walk? Even just a few minutes of gardening or yard work will help you get your movement in for the day.
At-Home Fitness
Pick up a couple of inexpensive handheld weights, resistance bands, or a jump rope that you can keep at the house for some simple workout options. You can even invest in exercise equipment like a stationary bike or a treadmill if you’re ready to get serious about your at-home fitness. The living room rug is a great place to do some exercises and gentle stretching while you’re watching TV, or you can create a dedicated at-home workout space to make it convenient and simple!
Clean The House
Household chores like vacuuming, mopping, taking out the trash, sorting the laundry, mowing the lawn, cleaning your car, and emptying out the garage are all great opportunities to move! Try incorporating movements like squats while you’re doing dishes or lunges while you’re cleaning the floors. You can even make it fun by cranking up the music and dancing while you clean!
Staying Fit at the Office
Making a few simple changes to your workstation can help combat some of the negative effects of sitting for too long. Swap out your office chair for an exercise ball and work on your core muscles and balance. A stand-up desk is a great alternative to sitting in a chair for several hours a day and helps increase circulation and core strength while creating better posture. To help break up the time spent sitting at your desk, take a short break every 30 to 60 minutes to stretch or get up and walk around.
On days when you’re too busy to fit it in a workout at the gym, there are still plenty of ways to move your body. All it takes is a little bit of creativity, and you’ll be able to easily blend movement in with your everyday activities!
