Do your fitness goals turn into fitness fails when you lose motivation and decide to stay home watching The Bachelor and eating ice cream instead of heading to the gym? Lack of motivation is the main reason most people don’t maintain a regular exercise program. One of the best ways to stay on track is to find a workout buddy. Having someone to keep you accountable means you are more likely to turn up to a planned workout (and have fun doing it). Get a friend on board and try one of these ideas.
Hit the Local Pool
Swimming is a great, low-impact, full-body workout that will get your heart-rate up, build muscle strength, and help you maintain a healthy weight, heart, and lungs. Many local pools offer swimming lessons for adults and aqua-aerobic workout classes to help you get moving. If you love being in the water, it is a hobby that you can do anywhere, any time and at any age. Swimming has terrific mental health and relaxation benefits as well. Why not challenge some of your friends to a race this weekend at your local pool, or see who can do the most laps over the next month? There’s nothing like some friendly competition to keep you motivated!
Start a Jogging Club
Another excellent way to get fit with friends is to start a regular walking or running club. It is a low to no cost activity – all you need is a pair of supportive shoes – and you get to catch up on gossip while you jog! Research has found that brisk daily walks can strengthen your bones and muscles, help prevent or manage lifestyle-related conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes and help you maintain a healthy weight. By scheduling a walk at the same time every day, it will quickly become a habit that you look forward to rather than a chore that you try to avoid.
Take Up a New Sport
Is there a sport you always loved as a kid but stopped playing? Now is the perfect time to investigate local clubs in your area. Whether it’s soccer, hockey, netball or tennis, playing a sport is a terrific way to get your heart rate up while having fun and socializing. Take a buddy along and then make some new friends when you get there! Team sports are a great way to meet new people in your local area.
Go For A Hike
Connecting with nature is food for the soul, so hiking will give your mental and physical health a boost at the same time. Check online for local walking tracks and national parks and invite some of your buddies along for a day trip to climb a mountain or trek to a waterfall. Pack a picnic, take a bird watching book, and let the sounds of the forest distract you from the burning in your calves.
Hit the Dance Floor
Fitness should be fun! And what’s more fun than hitting the dance floor with your bestie? Whether you try out a local Zumba, hip hop or ballet class, head along to a club on the weekend or turn your lounge room into a dance party, dancing is a fantastic way to burn calories and generate endorphins.
It’s time to transform your sweat sessions into social outings because there’s no rule that fitness has to be all hard work and no play!
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