How to Make Exercise More Fun

Fun exercise is not a contradiction of terms. If those two words are rarely spoken, by you, in the same sentence it is time to spice up your exercise regime to ensure you continue exercising to remain fit and healthy.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A desire to exercise.

1. EXERCISE MOTIVATION- Trying to get, and stay, motivated to do your daily exercise or workout can be a challenge. There are times when exercise can be downright boring and even tedious. This is when you can easily talk yourself out of staying on your exercise program. There are many ideas to help you move beyond needing to exercise to actually enjoying and looking forward to it. Here are some ideas to make exercise more enjoyable.

2. Exercise Idea #1 - Exercise with a friend. -
   -Set a schedule that works for each and stick to it.
   -A little bit of friendly competition is a great way to keep exercising enjoyable. Set benchmarks and challenge each other to see who reaches it first.
   -Keep each other motivated to continue with your workout regime.
   -A great way to look forward to doing exercises because friends make each other laugh.

3. Exercise Idea #2 - Change up your exercise routine. -
   
   Take the 'routine' out of your workout and try something different.
   -If you use exercise equipment at the gym or at home find a new way to use it.
   -Reverse your workout so it seems fresh.
   -For more diversity in your exercise regime change the order of all your exercises every month.
   -Drop an exercise and add a new one that works on the same muscle group.

4. Exercise Idea #3 - Take your exercise outside. -
   
   -Visit your community or city park and see how others are creatively being physically active. Be creative.
   -Have you ever thought of hanging from playground monkey bars and doing up-side-down crunches?
   -Circuit course. Circuit training refers to a workout that uses a variety of workout stations. Each exercise is performed for a certain time period, number of repetitions, or a distance. This workout combines time efficiency with strength training, flexibility and cardiovascular exercise. Choose 7 destinations (stations) in your neighborhood or the park about 100 yards apart. Run to each station where you do a physical activity or exercise such as push ups, sit ups, jogging in place, jump rope, etc. Try to do the same routine quicker each time.
   -Take a brisk walk in the park or around your neighborhood. Walking is a great way to exercise and can be added to any workout routine.
   -Doing yoga in the park or on the beach is relaxing way to exercise both your body and your mind.
   
   You do not need to follow a strict routine every day. Just get out there and have fun working your muscles.

5. Exercise Idea #4 - Time for an exercise 'road trip. -
   
   Your bike is there, use it.
   -Take a brisk ride around your neighborhood.
   -Find a bike path near you and use it weekly.
   -Ride it to work or school as often as the weather allows.
   -Take your bike to the corner store for a quick errand. Saves gas, too.

6. Exercise Idea #5 - Re-kindle your inner athlete. -
   -Join your work league for golf, softball, bowling, skiing, volleyball, basketball or whatever organized extra curricular activity they sponsor.
   -Gather a group of friends and form a team to play a competitive sport.
   
   These types of activities are not just good exercise but they will also help you to socialize, meet new people, and get your out of your same old exercise routine.

7. Exercise Idea #6 - Visualization Technique. -
   -Stop trying so hard to exercise and visualize pleasure and fun in whatever your are doing to stay fit and healthy.
   - When you exercise envision how your muscles are responding to the workout and are getting stronger. According to research, when you focus all of your thoughts on the muscles that you are working, they will respond better.

Tips & Warnings

• The more fun an exercise is the more stress it reduces. This will only work when you determine what's fun for you. When exercise is enjoyable, it won't be a chore, and you'll want to do it, again and again. There are so many creative ways you can make exercise more fun and interesting. Change what you are doing now or add one of these tips to help you stay motivated so you continue to exercise, be fit, and stay healthy.

Resources

• How to Choose Home Exercise Equipment
• How to Do The Correct Exercises For Your Abs
• How to Find Money You Did Not Know You Had
• How to Sleep Better By Exercising

[Soulsearcher83]

on 11/1/2008 Bike riding is my favorite exercise. That's interesting that if you think about your muscles while you exercise they respond more. I'll have to try that one.

[Soulsearcher83]

on 11/1/2008 Bike riding is my favorite exercise. That's interesting that if you think about your muscles while you exercise they respond more. I'll have to try that one.

[sam2sam]

on 10/18/2008 Sadly enough I never thought about invidting my friends to exercise,that idea would definately make it more fun! Great tips!

[Inkling]

on 10/15/2008 I may look into purchasing a bicycle to make exercise more of a fun adventure. Thanks!

[Jennydts]

on 10/14/2008 I think I'm going to try the circuit training idea you gave at my local park with a friend! It would be fun, and, like you said, we could even try to make it a little competitive! This is a very inspiring article!