Want to exercise without having to go to a gym? A lot of people want to start exercising but don’t really want to go to the gym for whatever reason. Whether time, personal problems, low self-esteem or simple motivation. The good news is you DON’T need to go to a gym to exercise!
Exercising can be a lot more fun than running on a treadmill for hours! In this article I will discuss 10 ways that can help you create an exercising routine into your life.
1. Exercise Without Having To Go To A Gym By Using Xbox Kinect
The days are gone where a video games console is classified as an uncool and unhealthy. With the advent of the Xbox Kinect, the gamer’s fitness tool. What is the Xbox Kinect? The Xbox Kinect is a camera that picks up your body and accurately represents your movements on screen. You no longer need a remote control, your body is all that is required.
I highly rate this new tool from Microsoft. There are several fitness games such as Nike+ that help you know if you are holding the right form when exercising. It also offers direction on completing the reps as slowly or quickly as would be expected if with a personal trainer.
Talk about never having to go the gym! You never have to leave the comfort of your front room, get fit and enjoy yourself!
See some of the fitness games that Seek A Therapy Recommends in the shop ( coming soon ).
2. Wii Fit & the balance board
The first of all the highly rated fitness video games. Wii Fit DOES help you get fit! It accurately represents your BMI ( body mass index ) on screen and as you progress through the weeks you can see your weight begin to change. Your mii character also begin to lose weight which helps you see progress you are making.
This is how the founder lost almost two stone in 4 months! He used it when on his road to recovery from depression and is a highly recommended tool for the fact you can track your weight, balance and fitness.
Buy the Wii Fit Game and Balance Board from our shop ( coming soon ).
3. Walking ( or better still, walking a dog )
Walking is free and anyone can do it regardless of fitness. When first beginning his recovery from severe depression and anxiety the founder of Seek A Therapy walked a dog twice a day. He gradually increasing the distance walked which helped both the dog get fit and improve the confidence in himself.
The combination of fresh air, walking miles and having a companion in your pet can really help lift your mood.
4. Ride a bike
I am not much a cyclist myself but riding a bike can really help you get fit and also release endorphins in your brain giving you that feel good factor. You also will be getting the added bonus of having fun in the outdoors and getting the much needed fresh air and vitamin D we require each day.
5. Lift Weights ( or other heavy things )
Weight training is said to help you loose weight faster than cardio according to bodybuilding.com. Whether it also releases as many endorphins, the natural antidepressants into your brain is unclear. If improving your self-esteem is of importance to you by changing the way you look then you should consider weight training.
If you can’t afford real weights ( although some weights are available to buy in our shop ) then you can use bottles of soda, food tins or any household items of some relative weight to begin your routines.
Here is a video to help you get started with weight training.
6. Find your sport and join a group
Remember PE at school? Some of you would probably rather not! Anyway, for those of you who liked sport you must remember what activity you enjoyed taking part in the most. If not I recommend looking around and seeing what sport you think you may enjoy and give it a go.
You are much more likely to exercise regularly if you enjoy what you are doing.
7. Swimming
You have probably heard it before, swimming is one of the best forms of exercise but it all depends upon how vigorous you work out. Swimming methods like the front crawl work out the whole body and in turn help you loose weight and strengthen your muscles in all areas of your body at the same time rather than working on certain areas in usual exercise.
Swimming is also a little like meditation because you have to concentrate a lot on your breathing so this will also help with blood pressure and keeping your mind calm when under stressful situations.
Okay, swimming pools are a bit like going the gym but if you live close to the sea ( in a hot place, in the UK it may not be advised to go in the sea in December) then swimming should be on your agenda!
To read more about swimming click this link
8. Exercise Without Having To Go To A Gym By Using Exercise DVDs
Similar to the Video Games, DVDs have come a long long way in helping you create a workout that fits around your tight living schedule. There are so many options out there that are particularly for those who have little time to give to exercise at first because they have a busy life and have been proven to work from friends advice.
9. Discount websites
There are many websites out there like Groupon, LivingSocial and more that offer discounts on trying out exercise routines such as kickboxing or having a personal trainer.
By committing yourself to an activity by spending money you are sometimes more likely to try to exercise than if you have to just use your own willpower.
Take a look at Groupon today to see if anything catches your eye.
10. Community Services
Have you ever thought about giving something back to your local community? There are many manual activities you can take part in and also do something good for the people around you so you get the bonus of both worlds and may help you break down barriers if you suffer with mild social anxiety.
11. Dancing
Dance like nobody is watching
Dancing, not just for those who are a part of diversity or professional dancers. Dancing can improve the mental health of the participants. It is an art that helps you express yourself and again, you don’t need to go to dance classes, a club or be a professional, there are other options for those who can’t get to places to dance for whatever reason.
One way to dance is through the use of several dancing games out there (xbox, wii and playstation ) that guide you to follow routines and can be a lot of fun no matter how well or bad you think you dance.
Even without a video games console, put the radio on or your favourite cd, feel the music and get your jive on! You’ll feel fantastic afterwards!
12. Exercise Without Having To Go To A Gym By Running
Lastly, but not least, is something everyone can do no matter where you are living. Running can be done in your neighbourhood, your local park or even your living room.
Running isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but can help you not only get fit but take time out to think about your day’s activities.
How To Exercise Without Having To Go To A Gym
Did you find any of these suggestions helpful? Maybe you are going to try it or do you have your own suggestions? Please comment in the box below.
[…] Exercising of all types, whether a long intense gym workout or simple 10 minute walk can work wonders on reducing feelings of anxiety or depression. It is not a cure on it’s own but can be part of a greater recovery plan. Here Battle of Mind founder discusses 12 ways to exercise without going the gym. […]
briefly saw the exercises and they are just what I want. But cannon get them to come up again.
Please help. THANKS.
rOSANN rAHN
Hi Rosann,
thank you for your message, what do you mean, the exercises? The video of the man excercising? I can share the link to the video if you like?
there were many different exercises and different people demonstrating them, stretching exercises, weights, squats–a wide variety, one after the other. Not dvds. They could have been in one of the archives.
Yhey