Dread your workouts? You may want to try something new
It's a known fact: If you don't enjoy something, chances are you won't stick with it for long. Lasting weight loss is about making permanent lifestyle changes that include regular exercise. But if your workouts are boring and feel like another chore to check off your to-do list, it's likely you'll give up at some point. The best thing to do is find an exercise you have fun doing so you actually look forward to your workouts.What's fun for one person isn't necessarily enjoyable for someone else. One person may love the challenge and high they get from running long distances, while another person hates even the idea of running. This means you have to experiment to find what you like. Then keep a repertoire of three to four top favorite exercises to rotate through.
Here are a few current fun fitness trends you should try.
I think it doesn't matter if you are the best surfer in the world. I'm going to try to be the best surfer I can be. It's not all about competing and being the best. It's more about having fun and just doing what you love.” - Bethany Hamilton
Barre-Cardio Fusion
Classes based on traditional ballet moves and positions using the ballet barre have gained popularity, but take those classes to the next level with barre-cardio fusion classes. This fast-paced cardio workout uses interval training as it alternates between high-intensity exercise and brief periods of recovery. Be prepared to get your heart pumping while toning and sculpting nearly every muscle in your body in new and creative ways.Pound
While you don't have to be a musician to enjoy the Pound workout, it may come in handy. Designed by two female drummers with a passion for music and exercise, Pound provides a full-body cardio workout that combines Pilates, plyometrics, and isometric movements all while using drumsticks to beat the air and floor to the rhythm of the music. Word on the street is you can burn up to 900 calories in 45 minutes doing a Pound workout.I think it doesn't matter if you are the best surfer in the world. I'm going to try to be the best surfer I can be. It's not all about competing and being the best. It's more about having fun and just doing what you love. - Bethany Hamilton
Aqua Cycling
Originating in Europe and gaining popularity in America, aqua cycling is a cycling class where the bikes are submerged under water. Water provides the resistance, making this a cardio exercise that's easy on the joints, muscles, and bones. There’s no speed adjustment on the underwater bikes. You just go at your pace. An intense workout has the ability to burn up to 800 calories.Rowing
Another highly effective full-body workout uses the simple rowing machine. Rowing classes are being offered at more and more gyms across the world. The movements are simple and low-impact, yet intense. When done the right way, the rowing machine uses 85 percent of your body's muscles. Sign up for a class today and try it out. Just go easy the first few classes to avoid getting too sore.Bokwa
Have fun with the ultimate calorie-burning workout called Bokwa. You’ll burn up to 1,200 calories while you perform simple, yet complicated-looking dance moves. Either make up your own movements or use your hands and feet to “draw” letters of the alphabet to the rhythm of the music. Since it’s so easy, anyone can do it! The workout is said to feel more like a dance party with its high energy and catchy tunes.Obstacle Workouts
If barre workouts and aqua cycling aren't your thing maybe you're more into mud, ice, barbed wire, and fire pits. Challenging, extreme, and hardcore are words to describe obstacle workouts. Tough Mudder, Spartan Race, and Dirty Dash are a few of the more popular obstacle races that take contestants through a range of physical challenges and obstacles. Similar to military training, these obstacles test your endurance, speed, strength, and metal abilities. There's no way an obstacle workout will be boring.