10 Tips To Make Working Out Fun For Those That Dread Exercise

Fitness is sometimes one of those words that makes people cringe, and words like workout and exercise can conjure up feelings of dread and anxiety. But, the reality is that fitness and exercise does not have to be dreadful, or very hard, overwhelming or boring.

The truth is fitness is very important. It is one of the best ways to ensure that you live a long and happy disease and heart attack free life.

Then, there is always the aesthetic factor as well, because let's face it, people that are fit look great, their clothes fit well and they usually have rockin bodies.

Being fit also results in being vital, energetic and it provides the ability to be vibrant and live a much fuller lifestyle where one can enjoy many activities that unfit and overweight people cannot.

So, once one accepts all the benefits of fitness and makes the decision to take the big plunge, the rest is fairly easy. Exercise does not have to be hard, it can be very fun, as long as you choose activities that you enjoy.

There are many ways to get fit without engaging in the usual gym type routines, which, are just not for everyone. Exercise can be a positive and an uplifting portion of your day.

The Impact of Cardio

Cardiovascular workouts, also known as aerobic activity are essential for heart health and weight management. And, while some love to sweat it out on an elliptical or a treadmill, it's not for everyone.

But, the good news is that there are many ways to get the benefits of cardio workouts without ever stepping into a gym or on a machine. Whatever activity you choose, stick with it and do it on a regular basis, this is what is most important.

How To Make Exercise More Fun

1. Sports

If you love sports, then, by all means use that as a form of cardio workout. All active sports increase the heart rate and get you moving. Some examples include, basketball, swimming, football and soccer.

2. Pump Up The Volume

Music is a great motivator to get people moving. Dance to your favorite tunes in your living room. It's private and fun!

If you would like a more structured workout try one of the many great workout DVD programs available on the market, some popular choices are, Hip Hop Abs, Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred and Richard Simmons has a whole line of DVD workout programs for beginners that are easy to learn and stick with.

The great thing about these types of DVD's is that they can be very motivating because the instructors know how to pump up their audience.

3. Workout While Watching TV

Try a few sit ups, and other exercises that speed up the heart rate while watching your favorite TV show.

Sit ups, leg lifts, or even jogging in place while tuning in to your favorite program is a great way get exercise in every day, and the show will be distracting enough that before you know it, you'll be done!

4. Feel The Exercise High

Exercise produces splendid hormones in your body called endorphins that make you feel really good, maybe you have heard about the runner's high? Well that's what it's all about.

So, take the time to enjoy them and anticipate when you will feel them again. Give yourself a short while following a workout, simply to relax and relish the feeling of the endorphins coarsing through your body. This is a positive feedback that will keep you coming back for more each day.

5. Make Exercise Your Own

Making up your own workout routine is a fantastic way to stay in shape and you will not need to join a gym.

6. Outdoor Lovers Rejoice

If you love the outdoors then say hooray, because there is a wide variety of cardio exercises that fit the outdoor lifestyle.

Hiking, rock climbing, swimming or just walking in the park are just a few examples of very effective workouts that are fun and can be made to fit with an active lifestyle.

7. Hire A Personal Trainer

If you have always had a hard time with fitness and working out, a good personal trainer can really help.

They offer not only their knowledge and expertise in fitness and exercise, but they can also keep you motivated and on track.

An experienced trainer will know how to deal with negativity, self-doubt and clients who want to quit, and they can be very helpful in these areas.

Also, the fact that you pay them can help you stay motivated, after all, who wants to waste money?

8. Get A Workout Partner

This is a great way to make exercise fun and the time pass quickly. Walk with a friend in the neighborhood while gabbing and you won't notice the hour of great exercise you just achieved.

9. Play With The Kids

Kids are very active and energetic, and you can lose 10 pounds just running after them for one afternoon. Playing with your kids is a fun way to get a good workout, without it feeling like work.

10. Find What Motivates You

It's a fact of human nature that humans will do whatever it takes to get what they want. So, what motivates you to get fit? Is it to have a beach body? If so, then pin pictures of beach bodies all over your house, this can be a huge motivator to work out and get fit.

How about good health? Are you worried about your senior years? Many people don't until they have a heart attack at 50 and, unfortunately, for some it's too late to do anything differently.

For health reasons fitness needs to start early, so as we age we can stave of heart attacks, diabetes and various cancers and instead live active, energetic and productive lives, all of which, is best achieved by following a regular cardio workout regimen.

Maybe you want to set a good example for your kids, so they grow up with a fitness mindset and live healthier lives?

The point is to find what would motivates you to workout out and stick with it and the rest is easy.

Final Thoughts

Fitness does not have to be dreadful, like a job. There are many ways to make exercise more fun, and reap all the benefits and rewards that it brings. Remember, anything that keeps you moving for sustained periods of time and is performed on a regular basis, at least, 3 times per week is exercise!


Russell (Rusty) Hart is the founder of the Health, Fitness & Sport Club, an online network of websites devoted to the promotion of health, fitness and wellness. The sites encompass a wide variety of health and fitness activities including general health matters, pilates, yoga, crossfit, treadmill training, running, kettlebell, swimming, and more. Also covered are Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), Positive Thinking, the Law of Attraction and related topics. Those interested can visit the HF & S Club home site at http://www.healthfitnessandsport.com and http://www.healthyhabitsmatter.com

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