4 Fun Ways to Integrate Exercise into Your Daily Routine

Most people are reluctant to go to the gym because it takes time, effort—and plenty of commitment. However, getting regular exercise doesn’t have to be a chore. While going to the gym works for some people, it’s not for everyone. There are other fun and effective ways to integrate exercise into your daily routine, without sweating the thought of exercise. Here are five other ways to make exercise a part of your lifestyle: 

1. Dance to the rhythm 

The best part about dancing is that it doesn’t feel like exercise and you can do it almost anywhere!  Blast your favourite playlist. Turn up the volume, and dance to the rhythm. Dancing to music is a fun way to get some exercise, and you can do it in the comfort of your room, a fitness studio or a dance class. 

There are a variety of music genres to choose from that have a great rhythm for dancing.

 Here are a few:

• Swing dance music 
• Jazz
• Soul music
• Drum & Bass
• Folk music
• Disco

2. Play sports or join a fitness class

You don’t have to exercise alone, and you can incorporate fitness into activities outside of the gym. For instance, joining a sports team can give you a greater sense of purpose and harness your competitive spirit. Whether it’s through playing badminton, curling, or golf, being part of a team entails working together to achieve a collective goal. This is also a great way to make new friends and be part of a community.

Fitness classes also offer a great alternative to going the gym alone. These tend to be a lot of fun as there’s music playing in the background and a fitness instructor demonstrating how to move. 

Some retirement living communities also provide activities, such as Tai Chi, ballroom dancing, and walking groups, to encourage residents to exercise while relaxing and having fun.  

3. Get yourself a step counter or dumbbell 

Bring the gym to your home instead of going outside. You can purchase a dumbbell or step-counter online, at a sports store or Wal-Mart. There are a variety of exercises you can try with these accessories that you can find on YouTube, on a fitness site or through fitness home videos. 

4. Don’t view it as exercise

Lastly, achieving your fitness goals is all about perception: mind over matter. You don’t have to think of exercise as a dull or painful activity, or something that requires a lot of time and commitment. Making incremental changes to your lifestyle, such as avoid sitting for too long, or lightly stretching in the morning can make a difference. By adding more movement here and there, you can help prevent your body from becoming stiff, fatigued, and out of shape.