Hate exercising? 5 fun alternatives to exercise

Do you ever think, “What can I do instead of exercising?” Let's look for some fun alternatives to exercise to help you burn calories!
dancing for weight loss
Dance can help fight obesity! Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Manasvi Jain Updated: 10 May 2022, 13:23 pm IST
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Clap your hands if you like to exercise! Now, while some would have clapped their hands already, some may say that even clapping hands is too much work for us. A majority of people don’t like to exercise, and believe me when I say that you are not a ‘lazy bum’ for not wanting to do it. You just need to find something that you’ll thoroughly enjoy. It is difficult to be consistent with something that you don’t enjoy. If you will enjoy your workout, it won’t take that much of your effort to go back to it every single day. So, let’s get down to knowing some fun alternatives to exercise.

According to a study by market intelligence agency Mintel, only 37 percent of Indians actually exercise and many of them claim to not enjoy it.

exercise forweight loss
Not everyone enjoys a gym session. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

5 fun alternatives to exercise

There can be a hundred interesting ways which can replace a gym routine. But here are five fun alternatives to exercise, which will help you accomplish at least a bare minimum daily workout to help you stay happy and healthy.

1. Dancing

If you enjoy it, dancing your heart out is one of the best ways to burn some calories. You enjoy the dance, you enjoy making expressions, you enjoy the song, and you can even sing along. Doesn’t it sound like the happiest 30 minutes of your day? I’m sure it does. By varied estimates, dancing for an hour is said to burn around 400 to 500 calories. Not bad, right?

2. Sports

If you are a sports fan and love everything about sports,  this is the best way for you to get some exercise while having some fun. You can choose any game like basketball, cricket, badminton, football, swimming, etc. Indulging in a 30 to 60-minute session will help you break that sweat. So then, what are you waiting for? Just call up some friends and get rolling!

games for fitness
Combine fitness and fun with a sport of your choice. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

3. Walk and talk

According to Harvard Health Publishing, 40-45 minutes of brisk walking can burn upto 400 calories. It is a myth that walking is a leisure activity. If done right, walking can be a very effective exercising technique. But some people might find it boring to walk alone, so either plug in some music or get a buddy to walk and chat with you. You will be done with your exercise while you gossip.

fitness tips
Walk and talk to combine fun with exercise. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

4. Video games

Well, this might seem a weird option because your moms have been scolding you to go out and play instead of playing video games all day. But we are not talking about remote-controlled or online video games. We are suggesting an Xbox with a Kinect Sensor (a type of motion sensor) which helps to play games like you would play them outside. This is the best method to get your kids to exercise in these Covid-19 times. Safe, fun and physically strenuous all at the same time!

5.Hangout with friends

No, don’t just hangout with friends but go with them to places where you all can indulge in a physical activity. This will help you not miss out on your workout even on weekends when your friends pressurize you to go out with them. You all could go to a gaming arcade, ice-skating rink, bowling, ball-machine, golf or even to a trampoline park for fitness! What can be better than getting some exercise done without even realizing it?

So, no more excuses now. With these ideas for fun alternatives to exercise, it’s time for you to get up and get moving!

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About the Author

Manasvi Jain is a professional writer with a keen interest in spreading awareness about various health and wellness issues through her articles. She writes well researched articles by connecting with various doctors and health experts. ...Read More

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