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5 Fun Ways to Get Fit Without a Gym

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Whilst a gym is a great place to work out, it’s not always the easiest or cheapest option for everyone. However, when it comes to exercising from home, it can be almost impossible to motivate yourself. At Exercise.co.uk, we believe that being creative whilst getting fit is a key factor in inspiring you to keep working out.

So we will be looking at these 5 fun ways to get fit without a gym!

Want to skip ahead? Jump to the specific part below:

  1. Skipping
  2. Hula Hooping
  3. Dancing
  4. Trampolining
  5. Try a Sport

Skipping

Skipping is a fun and straightforward exercise that comes with numerous benefits. It is a great way to get into home workouts and is easily personalised to what you need. Skipping allows you to set the pace and work at your own level, but will also become easier with practise. Eventually, once it is part of your routine, you can begin to change speeds, include tricks, and even make fun routines to your favourite workout songs. If you are looking for a tougher workout, be sure to purchase a weighted skipping rope for a more intense burn.

It is not only fun to skip rope, but it also comes with many health benefits. Skipping can burn as many as 1,600 calories in just an hour and is a great alternative to running or jogging. It is also categorised as a cardio exercise which includes a great number of advantages such as heart and lung health.

For more information on cardio exercise, check out our article The Benefits of Cardio Exercise.

Hula Hooping

Hula hooping is another fun and easy exercise that can be done from home. Not only does it help burn calories, this exercise focuses on the core muscles, resulting in less abdominal fat and a toned stomach. It’s a great way to not only stay fit, but also includes other benefits such as a healthier heart and lungs, improves balance and helps the immune system.

However, hula hooping is not just about the health benefits. With some upbeat music on, it can be easy to complete a fun workout  that incorporates creative routines and changes of pace.

In order to get the full effect on how fun hula hooping can be, it’s important to make sure you have the right music playing, so be sure to check out our article on How to Make the Best Exercise Playlist. 

Dancing

Dancing is one of the most fun ways to stay healthy. To incorporate it into your routine does not necessarily mean you need to join a dance class, unless, of course, you want to. However, with new interactive apps and websites it is now easy to get the most out of dancing!

YouTube has a variety of guided dance workouts available, therefore if there is anything specific in mind you wish to incorporate, for example, a favourite musician or album you like to workout to, there is a strong chance there is a video perfect for you. To search for some fun dance videos be sure to include key phrases such as:

  • 20 min dance workout
  • Dance workout for beginners 
  • Dance workout full body no equipment

If you are not a fan of YouTube, there are many apps that provide a visual guided workout experience. Whilst not all fitness apps include dance routines, many still incorporate fun workouts and can be very beneficial when trying to stay fit without a gym. 

If you would like to see our favourite exercise apps, make sure to check our list of Fitness Apps That Can Make Exercising at Home Easier.

Trampolining

Trampolining is a great and easy way to stay fit and with an indoor trampoline, this can be achieved at home. It can quickly get your pulse racing and is great for those just beginning their workout journey without a gym.

Working out on a trampoline focuses on your leg muscles however, different moves can be incorporated into your workout to make sure the full body receives attention. An indoor trampoline also includes the ability to start with low impact exercises so you can warm up to a high intensity workout. You can get started and see the progress for yourself with our Marcy Fitness Trampoline here.

For a more guided tutorial on how to use an indoor trampoline, check out our 5 Exercises You Can Do On a Trampoline to get the most out of your workout.  

 

Try a Sport

If you struggle to motivate yourself, finding a sport you enjoy is a great way to stay on track, especially if you are a competitive person.  Playing a sport helps you commit to a fitness routine and makes sure you get your active hours in during the week. However, sport is also beneficial because you can get fit and stay healthy whilst having an invested interest in something more than just losing weight.

If you are nervous about starting a new sport, make sure to bring a friend to play with or join a team. As long as you are staying active and having fun, it does not matter if you are particularly talented at the sport or not. 

If you are unsure on which sport might be for you, then check out our information on boxing. As an individual sport its great for building strength and staying fit so be sure to read our Boxing Techniques for Beginners and check out our boxing equipment here.

So…

If your workout routine needs some refreshment, or perhaps the gym isn’t for you, then these 5 fun ways to get fit without a gym is a great place to begin. Enjoying your workout is vital for staying motivated, so if you lack the commitment be sure to invest in these fun exercises. 

Before beginning your exercise journey, please be sure to consult your doctor and always be safe when using equipment.

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How to improve your mental wellbeing through fitness and exercise

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Limitations live only in our minds.  But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless. – Jamie Paolinetti

Maintaining our mental wellbeing is one of the most important aspects which helps contribute toward a healthy fulfilled life, there are an endless variety of ways you can ensure you are taking care of yourself mentally and fitness and exercise are some of the most effective methods. It is clear the benefits that exercise has on our physical body, but people often don’t realise the great positive effects that maintaining exercise also has on the mind! Exercise has in fact be proven to be so great for the mind that those who suffer from challenging mental health battles such as depression and anxiety have felt an improvement mentally, the effects of the illnesses can be eased due to the positive influence that fitness has on the mind and the raise of serotonin that it creates within the mind. The most challenging step can be motivation, but if you can motivate yourself to persist through the first steps of your fitness journey then you can change the way you live your life through the power of exercise.

Not yet aware of how exercises and fitness methods can improve and maintain your mental health? Let’s take a look at some of the best exercises to help get you on your journey to feeling the best version of yourself!

Running

 

 

 

 

Running is one of the best forms of exercise you can do due to its endless benefits, it is one of the most beneficial forms of cardio. Running is so easily accessible to all who wish to try it, however if you prefer not to run outdoors you can opt to run using a treadmill which can be just as effective! its all about your personal preference, the exercise is also open to all ages from the younger generations to the elderly who wish to take up a new hobby or continue their running habits. Running  can also be enjoyed at all different levels and paces to suit your fitness level and age range, the key to running is enjoyment and the incredible health benefits to the mind and body are a bonus.

Still not convinced that running and exercise can help improve your mental wellbeing to a great extent? Check out the video below!

If you’re not sure if running is for you then not to worry, there’s a much more laid back method of fitness you can try!

Yoga

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yoga is an extremely well known term, nevertheless many people do not actually realise how astounding yoga can be for not only improving your physical health but also your mental health. Yoga has allot of stigma surrounding it as many see it as simply a socialising opportunity, however yoga is one of the best exercises for increasing your body strength.  There are many different types of yoga poses so your choice is endless, there is something for everyone which makes yoga so enjoyable and appealing. As we are focusing on the topic of mental health, listed below are some the most prominent yoga benefits that can help improve and maintain your frame of mind and overall mental health situation.

Watch the video below to see just how effective yoga is at improving mental health and wellbeing!

If you’re still not sure whether yoga is right for you and it doesn’t seem like something you want to try, you can take a look at another effective exercise method listed below.

Resistance Training

 

 

 

 

 

Resistance training can be so gripping due to the vast variety of exercises it contains, you are simply not limited to one form of exercise for example if you don’t find lifting weights is a good choice for you then you can try kettlebells or powerbands instead to strengthen your body. Anyone of any age can also enjoy resistance training, just like running and yoga there is no age barrier that blocks you from enjoying and partaking in the exercises due to their being options for everyone’s body strengths and age preference.  Maintaining muscle strength is particularly important as we age and ensures we stay as healthy as possible physical wise, however resistance training is also brilliant at helping our mental wellbeing

In order to see a clearer picture of how effective resistance training can be for your mental wellbeing, watch the video below which shows how simple a form of resistance training can be incorporated into your life. The video also shows that not all forms of resistance training have to be more challenging to begin with for those of you who want to take a less intense approach!

 

It is important to remember that just like physical health, mental health progress also takes time and it is not one short easy road. With that being said, remind yourself that the journey to improvement and change is taking the first step. Through exercise and fitness of your physical body you can also help improve and ensure that your mental wellbeing is also taken care of,  the hope is that this blog gives you some encouragement of just how incredible exercise can be in helping transform, ease and manage your mental health so you can get the absolute best out of your life.

 

 

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Yoga is not just a sport

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Yoga is one of the oldest physical exercises in the “Oriental”. It originally originated in India 5000 years ago and is now popular all over the world. Yoga is not only the exclusive choice for middle-aged people, but also more and more young and old people join the ranks of yoga practice.
A disease-free body, a violence-free society, a confusion-free mind, a inhibition-free intellect, a trauma-free memory, a sorrow-free soul and a quiver-free breath is the impact that Yoga can make on your life.

Yoga is not only exclusive to middle-aged people

 

Indian Prime Minister Modi is also a yoga enthusiast

A young girl said: “I tried Pilates, NTC, HIIT, madness and other methods. This is the most effective exercise training on the market for weight loss and shaping. After being exposed to yoga, I felt unprecedented strength. I completely changed Now, this change is not only physically, but also mentally.”
However, some elderly people think that yoga is only suitable for young people or people with better flexibility. In fact, yoga is suitable for people of all ages and physical levels. The latest research shows that yoga is especially helpful for people over 60 years old and can improve their flexibility and balance.

If you are a beginner, a yoga mat is essential.

Story

 

Thousands of years ago, in India a long time ago, in order to enter the highest state of the unity of nature and man, eminent monks often lived in secluded forests and meditated. After living in a simple life for a long time, the eminent monks realized many natural yoga aesthetic principles from observing living things, and then verified the living principles of living things to humans, and gradually sensed the subtle changes inside the body, so humans understood Dialogue with your own body, so as to know how to explore your own body, begin to maintain and regulate health, as well as the healing instinct for disease and pain. Thousands of years of research have been summed up, and a set of theoretically complete and practical body-building and fitness system has been gradually developed. This is yoga.

Systemic physical improvement

Systematic fitness    

 

There are various benefits of practicing yoga, including accelerating the body’s metabolism, removing waste from the body, and helping the body to repair. Yoga can enhance body strength and body elasticity, so that the body’s limbs develop in a balanced manner. Yoga can also prevent and treat various physical and mental diseases: back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, headache, joint pain, insomnia, digestive disorders, dysmenorrhea, hair loss, etc. Yoga can regulate the whole body system, improve blood circulation, promote endocrine balance, reduce stress and nourish the heart, release the body and mind, and achieve the purpose of self-cultivation. Other benefits of yoga include improving immunity, concentration, increasing vitality, and improving vision and hearing, and so on.

 

Relieve muscle stress

 

With the increase of age, the quality of muscles is deteriorating day by day. The charm of yoga is that even an ordinary Hatha yoga practice can relieve the practitioner’s muscle pressure and increase muscle resilience. Downward dog pose, plank pose, warrior 1 pose, and warrior 2 pose are particularly suitable for yoga beginners, and they have a good effect on improving strength. While practicing yoga, we need to replenish moisture appropriately, so a beautiful water bottle may bring you a good mood all day long.

 

Increase flexibility

 

With the passage of time and the reduction of activity, the muscles of the elderly lose some elasticity, and it is even difficult for some elderly people to bend over and bend their knees to tie a shoelace in daily life.
For these elderly people with poor flexibility and flexibility, it is recommended to try sitting forward flexion. People who have difficulty can use yoga bands to stretch their shoulders and hamstrings; cat pose or wheel pose can also be flexible for the spine; sprint pose can open hip flexion Muscles; Side Bend Mountain Pose can stretch muscles along the trunk.

 

Increase positive emotions

 

Some elderly people feel lonely and lonely. Joining a yoga class can broaden the social circle of the elderly and get to know more friends. In addition, yoga is recognized as an “emotional booster.” Heart-opening yoga poses and back bending poses like cobra pose, boat pose, and bridge pose have been proven to increase the positive emotions of patients with depression. Practicing yoga asanas, pranayama, and meditation can help improve mood, bring more positive energy, and reduce anxiety.

 

Relax and reduce stress

 

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Yoga and Life

We can use the exercise and relaxation of yoga to allow us to focus on stretching and strengthening the muscles of the body. When our body and mind are in a state of complete relaxation and focus on stretching the limbs, we can release negative emotions and begin to have Positive emotions enable us to achieve a state of mind of “combining with nature”.

 

Anti-Aging

 

Anti-aging is no longer a topic for middle-aged and elderly people. More and more young people are joining this topic. Yoga is the exercise that can achieve this effect. Why can yoga be anti-aging? Because long-term yoga practice can improve body functions in the following aspects to achieve anti-aging results. 1) Enhance bone density​ 2) Relieve arthritis​ 3) Strengthen core​, stay away from back pain 4) Improve circulation​ 5) Protect ligaments 6) Relieve tendinitis​ 7) Say goodbye to stiffness​ 8) Refuse menopause​ 9) Avoid high Blood pressure​ 10) Avoid asthma​ 11) Improve respiratory function​ 12) Relieve insomnia​ 13) Regulate chronic diseases.

Positive Impact of Yoga on Brain and Mental Health

 

There are many studies that show that yoga and meditation can improve our memory and concentration. Both yoga and meditation help us play a higher level role in work, home or school. Yoga helps people deal with adverse situations in a more realistic way. It teaches people to accept and release negative energy, and know how to be grateful, which is necessary to deal with this negative and stressful situation. We can think of yoga as an art, which helps us connect with ourselves on a deeper level. Yoga is a low-impact exercise that involves each of our organs and body parts and our breathing patterns to create balance in our body and mind.
Every action we practice yoga activates the nervous system-brain, muscles, bones and emotions at the same time. Yoga poses bring a holistic change, helping us lead a balanced and fulfilling life.

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Consult your physician, doctor or other professional before starting any exercise or nutrition program. This is especially important for people over the age of 35 or those with pre-existing health problems. In accordance with our advice, Exercise.co.uk is not responsible for any personal injury or property damage caused.

If you experience dizziness, nausea, chest pain or any other unusual symptoms, stop exercising immediately and consult your doctor immediately.

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Going For Gold: A Comprehensive Guide To Starting Running

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The most frequent question I am asked is ‘how do you get started running?’. Surely if you can walk then you can also run? Whilst running may seem simple to get started (well for the majority it is) there are a few basic tips I would like to recommend to help you train more efficiently. 

Whether you are a complete beginner or a casual jogger, we’ve put together 5 top tips which will help you to get going! 

Interested in a specific part? Skip right ahead  
– 1.0 Find The Perfect Shoe:
– 2.0 Be Realistic With Your Goal:
– 3.0 Preparing To Start
– 4.0 Listen To Your Body:
– 5.0 Most Importantly… Have Fun: 

Benefits Of Running: 
What’s great about running? Compared to other sports/exercises you may encounter, running simply doesn’t require much equipment to start off with – whether you partake on a treadmill or simply hit the streets, the option is entirely yours to make!

1: Find The Perfect Shoe:
Whilst it may be tempting to pick up a generic running shoe that is on offer at your local sports shop, we highly recommend that you get measured by a specialist. Whilst this is likely the more expensive option; as a runner, you’ll encounter almost every surface imaginable (depending on your location) from grass to concrete. Having shoes that have been adequately measured will ensure your foot is best cushioned for the impact it endures.

In the case of myself, I started out with an old pair of trainers I had lying around, whilst I thought this was quite sufficient – I quickly found I was getting a sharp pain in the instep of my foot which forced me to be sidelined for a couple of weeks. 

Photo by sporlab on Unsplash

2: Be Realistic With Your Goal:
As the classic saying goes, ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day.’ and nor is your first 5k!

If you are starting out from the very beginning, your first weeks into running may feel very difficult – that’s perfectly ok. Whilst everyone trains at their own pace, set yourself small goals to achieve – you may find many training plans posted online, spend time before you start to really find one that’s best for you.

We recommend starting out with two-mile runs for the first 4 weeks of your schedule – increasing the distance only once you’re consistently running that distance comfortably.  Should you struggle with pacing, we highly recommend that you check out the NHS couch to 5k app, this program alternates walking and running to help you build you up with the end goal of pushing you to run 5k (3.1 miles) after just 9 weeks! 

For me personally, I started running during my Erasmus year in Sevilla. I started with very little experience of running long distances and I didn’t really know where to begin. Thankfully, I happened to live 2 minutes away from the Guadalquivir river that had a 9.4km route marked out. Whilst I initially struggled to break the 3.2 km (2 miles) barrier, I found that after two months of training – 3-4 times per week, I was able to push myself further with a consistent 9.6 km (6 miles) run several times per week. 

It is noted: whilst this schedule worked for me – this may not be adequate for you. 

How I progressed during my training: left (week 1) – right (week 15)

3: Preparing To Start:
So – you’ve got your route, playlist and water (optional) sorted, that’s a great start. However, before you even think about lacing your shoes, take 5-10 minutes to properly warm up. Research shows that as many as 79% of all runners (regardless of skill) will get injured at least once per calendar year. Much of this can be avoided by simply taking the time to loosen up and mentally prepare yourself for what is to come. 

What should you focus on in this warmup? Ideally, you should focus on stretching your legs (as shown in the image) and slowly elevating your heart rate to minimise the strain once you begin – take a couple of minutes to walk at a brisk pace before setting off.

Personally, I like to use this time to focus my mind. Regardless of what you have done so far in the day or what you have to sort when you’re finished, put this to the back of your mind as you focus on achieving your goal.  

Photo by Abigail Keenan on Unsplash

4: Listen To Your Body:
We’ve all been there – 300 metres away from achieving that new personal best, but your body is telling you that it simply cannot go any further… listen. Not every session will result in you achieving a personal best – as a new runner, it is important that you learn to stick with your training plan and most importantly listen to what your body is telling you, don’t ignore them nagging pains. Whilst it may be frustrating to end your session, you could be preventing a serious injury. 

As I was training for my first 10k, I was coming extremely close to achieving my goal – I had gone 9k during my previous sessions quite comfortably and thought I would go the full distance. As I reached the 9.5km mark, a sharp pain in my left knee started. Instead of calling it, I wrongly decided to push for my new personal best and as a result aggravated the pain further. I found myself once again sidelined and when I did return, I was wearing a knee bandage to alleviate some of the pain (which I still have to wear). 

Mistakes Were Made.

5: Most Importantly… Have Fun:
Whether you are running for fitness or training for a race, I simply cannot stress this enough… have fun! 

I see far too many people consider running a form of torture. I can assure you; this couldn’t be further from the truth! Running can truly be rewarding, if you’re fortunate enough to live near rural areas, rivers or cities be sure to check them out or your run – there is a world out there just waiting to be explored! 

Sevilla, Spain. Captured on one of my runs
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Ryan Smith

MSc Advertising and
Marketing Student