You don’t necessarily have to like going to the gym to get in shape. And why pay the membership fees if you are hardly going to use the facility. However, regular exercise is still crucial for your health. Avoiding exercise can lead to health-related problems like:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Joint pain
- Low metabolism
Also, it is a proven fact that lack of exercise can increase the risk of depression. Even if you don’t have the time to work out or simply hate it, here are some activities that can help keep you in good health:
1. Walking
If you’re wondering why walking is on the list, remember that you carry your body weight for the duration you walk. It helps boost your cardiovascular endurance, builds muscle, keeps your bones healthy and reduces fat. Regular walking also helps increase your heart rate.
This ensures better blood circulation in your body and reduces the chances of heart disease. The best thing about this form of activity is that you can walk anywhere and at any time of the day. Start walking for between 10-30 minutes before work, after work or even during your lunch break.
2. Squats
Squats are probably the most practical and beneficial exercise that anyone can do, especially for someone who hates working out. While performing these, it’ll prove helpful if you think of it as just sitting rather than exercising. Even though it’s merely a stretch, practicing it will increase your strength significantly. The best part about squats is that you don’t also have to do a lot to see results.
3. Swimming
Not many have easy access to a swimming pool, so if you do, make sure you take full advantage of it. Swimming is often regarded as a perfect workout and with good reason. The water helps eases the muscle tension and relieves the pressure off of your joints. Even simply striding in water is a pretty intense workout that doesn’t feel exhausting. This makes swimming an excellent choice for even those who hate exercising.
4. Yoga
Yoga doesn’t even feel like an exercise, it’s more of mental focusing and stretching. Yoga is probably the best way to unwind at the end of a tiring day. The duration of yoga classes is usually between 30 and 90 minutes. Even if you do not have access to a yoga class, there are plenty of YouTube videos you can learn from. You can do these exercises right in your living room.
Strenuous exercise isn’t for everyone. However, that doesn’t give you an excuse to not stay in shape. There are several different ways you can keep in shape without working out. Following these exercises will strengthen your mind, body, and soul.