3 Ways To Make Working Out Fun
Growing up I used to hate any form of physical activity. As my brothers played basketball outside and enjoy the warm summer sun, I stayed inside organizing various parts of my room, watching them through my bedroom window. It wasn’t until junior year of college in which I truly enjoyed exercising. Now I cannot imagine going a week without working out. Recently, when talking to a college friend on mine about the struggles of being a Skinnarian, she mentioned not being motivated to go to the gym and that working out is a chore. :o!!! This brought me to question: Do people really not like working out?” “Am I a Gym-Rat after all? :’(
After reflecting on my love for the gym I came up with 5 tips/Tricks to make working out Fun: and not a chore.
1. Exercise with a Friend
Workout Partner
Do you have a STRONG, DARK, and HANDSOME friend named Keanu Taylor that can motivate you to go to the gym and keep you accountable during those really lazy days. No!?! Well I suggest you get one real fast. Having a friend that can motivate you to go to the gym is a great way to start your fitness journey, as you won’t be alone. Even if your friend is a gym newbie as well, having someone to hold you accountable as well as vise versa will increase your likelihood of maintaining a working out habit. With a Friend, it is much harder to skip the gym as you are not only letting yourself down. but also your partner down. No one want’s to be the unreliable friend. Find a friend and have a friendly competition at the end of each month to test your progress against each other.
2. Join a Class
Joining a class or getting involved in a community is by far one of the best way to make working out fun. Not only do you have accountability, but you also have a opportunity to be a part of a niche group and make new friends. Think of a class as a Healthy Happy hour. Workouts are also controlled and consistent on a daily basis which helps maintain intensity even on the sluggish days. Crossfit is a great community for all levels to join. In all honesty, CrossFit is what truly solidified my passion for fitness (If you live in Providence, checkout CrossFit Providence. Best CrossFit gym I ever been a part of) Don’t have sh-money? Find a free workout community such as the November Project or a group through Meetup.
During my Junior and Senior year of college, a friend introduced me to November Project PVD. The classes were super early in the morning and held year-round. Some days I really did not want to get up, but the community was filled with amazing people which kept me actively showing up. Meetup offers a variety of activities, often times free. Depending on your area, find groups such as a run club, volleyball, soccer, to even wrestling.
3. Go for a hike or Bike Ride
Working out doesn’t always have to be in the gym. Often times we exercise without even realizing it. A casual walk in the park, hiking with a friend or riding a bike are just a few of many activities that is more of a form of exercise than you think. When I lived in Idaho (Yes Idaho! I know what you’re thinking… “what’s a black man doing in Idaho!?!” Long story, okay. It’s actually a beautiful state if you like nature), an went hiking I would ignored the pain of my burnt out legs in order gaze over the world from the highest point of the mountain. I would feel the same pain with bike riding. But who really feels pain when their having fun!?!
For more content and advice on anything fitness as well as the road to Gainsville visit my blog www.skinnymuscle.fit.
