17 fun workout ideas to get you out of your boring routine

news7h05/24/2022

3 3 minutes read

17 fun workout ideas to get you out of your boring routine

It’s 2022, and fortunately, the harmful habit of looking at other people’s bodies for motivation to exercise has been around for a long time. IMO, this is not a healthy way to watch physical activity. Dots. Nor is it all about exercise to look good. What am I after instead? Fun workout ideas are not about losing weight or burning calories.

It’s an easy trap to fall into. But after years of my weight swinging back and forth and thinking the lawn was greener over there, I realized what I really needed was a mindset shift.

A few years ago, I overhauled my fitness inspiration board on Pinterest. It goes from a simple aesthetic to a more adventurous image. Behind the image is an intention to scream as loud as I can — I shift my focus from what my body looks like to what my body can DO.

Featured image of Kristen Kilpatrick.

I want a life full of adventure, and my body is the vehicle for that. Of course, I still want a nice butt and toned abs, but that’s just a bonus. What I’m really after is a lot more meaningful and fits the life I’ve always hoped I’d lead.

I want a life full of adventure, and my body is the vehicle for that.

I want to climb the picturesque arches of Greece, feel the endorphins so high that I don’t care how “bulky” my arms look. I want to surf through a barrel of waves, feeling so happy that I don’t know if I’m dreaming. I want to feel the thrill of landing a ramp while windsurfing as my friends cheer for me.

Life is short, our youth is fleeting, and I don’t want to spend time in my body wishing I were someone else.

Here are my favorite fun workout ideas that will make you fall in love with fitness.

Choose an exercise that makes you feel alive

If you have a hobby, are you still reading this? Do it! But if you’re not sure what new sport or activity you’d like to try, ask yourself the following questions.

What’s a sport or hobby you’ve always dreamed of doing?
What kind of exercise brings you joy?
What’s on your bucket list that you’ll need to start training?
What is the hobby that you dream of achieving artistically?

Appreciating the physical is the expression

Fitness can be more than trying to lose 5 pounds. It can be the ultimate release and creative expression. In her book Great Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert tells the story of Susan, a woman who chose to figure skating at the age of 40. She dropped out of school as a teenager and found herself losing a lot in doing so. However, after a period of soul searching, she realized she needed to return to the ice, and her life was changed forever.

“Skating made her feel alive and young forever. She no longer felt she was nothing more than a consumer, nothing more than the sum total of her daily duties and obligations. She is creating something of her own, making something of herself. ”

AND she’s having a great workout. That’s the beauty of this fitness approach. Remember: It’s never too late.

Let yourself fail

OK, so you have a sport in mind. Time for the fun but uncomfortable part: failure. Lots and lots of failures. When I first started climbing, I was embarrassed to fail. Falling on the carpet with a loud crash and everyone’s eyes on me it’s hard to take their eyes off. But then I learned to accept it. I know that the more I fail, the better things I will get. Failing a LOT is the only way to get better.

Today, I take pride when I fail in public in a sport that challenges me. At least, I try to remember to be proud and forget the shame. And let me tell you, this is the best way to earn respect from any bodybuilding community. The real professionals are already there and they look forward to assisting you.

fun workout ideas — *Photos of Clara Thomas*

Find your community

Life is better with good company. That’s another reason why I love this exercise method. There is community to be found in every part of your fitness journey. Has a friend expressed interest in the same hobby? Take them with you on the adventure.

If you don’t have a friend in mind, no problem. I promise you, there are many people in your city who will very happy to show you the ropes. Not only will you have a new favorite way to sweat, but you’ll also be able to make a few friends along the way.