If treadmills remind you of hamster wheels and gym equipment brings to mind medieval torture devices, opt for an unusual and fun spin on the traditional workout. Plenty of gyms offer organized classes catering to those who usually wouldn't want to step foot inside a gymnasium. Before selecting a new exercise program of any kind, consult with your doctor, especially if you are at risk for cardiovascular diseases or have chronic joint problems.
Unusual Exercises
Take a look at a class schedule from a large gym, and you'll likely find everything from pole dancing to jumping on trampolines to hula hooping. If you enjoy moving to music, consider a dance class or a fitness class inspired by dance moves. For something truly nontraditional that offers an intense calorie burn, try pole dancing for fitness. Hula hoops, once reserved for children, are available in adult sizes. Weighted versions provide momentum, making them easier to keep up, but the extra weight causes your core muscles to work harder.
Team Sports
If you enjoy socializing while you sweat, join a local sports team. Popular sports like basketball, tennis or football are among the most effective forms of exercise for burning calories. If you weigh 160 lbs., you can burn 584 calories from an hour of playing basketball, singles tennis or football. Based on the same body weight, an hour of golf burns 329 calories, provided you carry your own clubs, and an hour of tae kwon do burns more than 700 calories.
Planning a Routine
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, you should get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week, plus strength training twice per week. To slim down, increase the amount of exercise so that the number of calories you burn exceeds your caloric intake. Plan your workout around your schedule so that you're fully motivated to exercise. For example, if you're usually very tired in the afternoon after work, schedule a workout for each morning.
Tips to Make It Fun
To keep your workout fun over the long run, build in plenty of variety. If you generally play tennis, occasionally spend the day doing drills alone or with a partner. If you usually dance salsa, occasionally explore another musical style and dance. If you typically work out alone, sometimes join a group that focuses on your chosen discipline. Indoor cyclists who are typically gym-bound may find refreshment in an occasional road trip and vice versa.
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