You’ve probably heard this before: exercising at least three times a week is vital to your overall physical and mental health. Still, even if you know this, getting enough exercise can be a challenge.

Maybe you’re just really busy with work, family, and other responsibilities. Or perhaps you’re feeling out of shape and worry you won’t find the motivation.

Regardless of the reason you find it hard to get enough physical activity, it’s worth investing your time and energy into changing your habits. Your health matters, and you’ll also discover many emotional and social benefits of working out more. 

Though it might take some adjusting, here are some tips you can follow to get more physical activity into your routine, and they don’t just involve hitting the gym more often. Jump right into these simple exercise ideas. 

Tip 1: Try a New Sport

People love sports for many reasons, whether as a player or a spectator. One reason many of us love to play sports is that it’s an excellent way to get more exercise while having fun.

Most individuals aren’t going to pursue a sports activity to a professional level. But it’s a perfect way to meet people, gain a new skill, and boost your physical health.

If you’re not currently playing a sport, consider trying a new one. Whether you prefer individual sports or team activities, a new one is a great way to raise your passion for working out. Consider something you haven’t tried before, such as rowing, pickleball, or cycling.

Tip 2: Get Exercise in Your Daily Tasks

Identifying activities you enjoy is the best way to get more physical activity. If you hate the exercise you’ve been doing, you probably won’t stick to it.

So don’t feel like you have to show up to the gym and run on the treadmill to get more daily activity. Instead, find ways to get more exercise while engaged in the actions you already pursue.

For example, if you like to walk around your neighborhood, you could incorporate light jogging. If you enjoy going shopping, park further away and do a power walk through the parking lot.

Tip 3: Do Exercises While Sitting

If you’re a person who spends hours of your day sitting, whether for work or leisure, you can make the most of this time to do some light stretching or strength training. Here are some ways you can get a little exercise in while sitting at your desk or watching television:

• Practice stretching to work on your agility and flexibility.
• Learn some basic yoga poses to try.
• Get hand weights to do some lightweight lifting.
• Do some squats, lunges, and push-ups to engage your entire body.

These are simple ways to get your body moving a little, especially if you tend toward a more sedentary lifestyle.

Tip 4: Make a Game of It

Some people are more motivated by goals, while others find motivation through games and challenges. If you like to make everything you do more exciting, consider ways to get more exercise as a game to help you develop the habit.

You could reward yourself as you meet specific goals, or challenge someone you know to help motivate you. Working out with others is an excellent strategy for many people. 

Why Work Out?

Being physically active provides a wide range of benefits. From giving you more energy to lowering your risk of heart attack, you’ll find countless good reasons to work out regularly.

Using the tips in this article, you can obtain more physical activity without ever having to go to the gym.