What to do when you can't bring yourself to go to the gym and you aren't a runner?

lrbassmom

I'm trying to think of "workouts" that burn some serious calories that don't take place in a gym.

There are days when I think I'll go postal if I have to go to the gym, even look at weights or a machine. I've found it's best to head outside on those days. I'm ADD and the quickest way for me to sabotage myself and any progress I've made is to get bored.

So, what do you count as a workout?

We're headed into spring/summer so that means swimming - 2.5 months til the pool opens up, gardening, yard work. Are there any other things that you do that are good for a calorie burn?

Mr_Knight

lrbassmom wrote: »

I'm trying to think of "workouts" that burn some serious calories that don't take place in a gym.

Few things beat running.

SuggaD

I have a stationary bike planted in front of the TV in my room. I watch TV and pedal (usually HIIT).

ShibaEars

You can make a routine of bodyweight exercises. (Burpees, pushups, squats, lunges to name a few.)

JoRocka

nerdfitness.com best beginner body weight workout
lovingfit.com
zuzka light
thedailyhiit/bodyrock.tv

Roxiegirl2008

Pintrest has some good workouts that I use when I am traveling. Just search things like tabata or HIIT.

Joannah700

Personally running only seems like a good idea when I've had a few drinks and gyms have a reputation for being magnets for pretentious behavior in my area - so I tend to find other forms of exercise.

Are there any outdoor boot camps near you? Or what about fitness studios? Sometimes you can get fitness classes that don't fit into a typical 'gym' routine - pilates, yoga, barre, pole dancing, aerial fitness, zumba...

And then you can always do other activities that just happen to burn calories, ice skating, roller derby, hiking, ballroom/salsa/swing dancing...to name a few.

Sydmayn

YouTube workout videos.

cwolfman13

I ride my bike a lot.

ammo7

The Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred videos are quick (only about 25 minutes) but will likely get you sweating. (PS: you can find them online for free)

Edited to add: Hiking is also an awesome form of exercise - throw in some elevation gains and you'll burn lots of calories, and probably end up with a lovely view. Also, you can increase the intensity by carrying a backpack.

VegasFit

ShibaEars wrote: »

You can make a routine of bodyweight exercises. (Burpees, pushups, squats, lunges to name a few.)

This and throw in a jump rope for some interval type training.

I also like hiking and walking at a good speed.

Machka9

There's always walking ... walking doesn't burn a lot of calories, but I try to get out for at least a 30 min brisk walk at lunch everyday, and around here, the walks usually include a hill of some sort. I choose different routes for variety, and sometimes I do it as transportation ... yesterday I walked 2.9 km between work and the university ... today I'll be walking up to the library plus a bit ...

I also enjoy cycling, so I do that on evenings and weekends.

Hiking is good too.

EmmaFitzwilliam

Dance, belly dance, step workout, jump rope.

lrbassmom

Love hiking! But the closest place to 'hike' is about 30 minutes away and will turn into a half day type thing. In which case, I won't do it because I don't have a half day to devote to a workout.
This is where I'd hike.


I'd roller blade if I weren't scared of falling, skinning myself up/breaking something. (age 52).

shabaity

Join a class that's how I manage my adhd and get my exercise in

Machka9

lrbassmom wrote: »

Love hiking! But the closest place to 'hike' is about 30 minutes away and will turn into a half day type thing. In which case, I won't do it because I don't have a half day to devote to a workout.
This is where I'd hike.

That's beautiful ... can you do a hike there one day each week? I try not to do the same thing each day. Too boring. During the week, I'm limited to shorter evening workouts ... at the gym, on the bicycle, walking briskly along the beach or whatever. But on the weekends, I plan for a longer bicycle ride or hike or something in a place that we haven't been for a little while. Lots of exploring.

Bobzfit

I agree 100% with bodyweight exercise. There are great apps for help too. I like Sworkit. You can choose the amount of time to use and it will show you how to perform the exercise.

jeicorsair

I've found that I need a lot a variety as I get bored with programs within a few weeks at best. Fitnessblender.com has hundreds of different workouts and a good search tool so you can set your min and max time, calories, what equipment (if any) you have available, etc.

If I don't have access to that, I have a couple apps on my phone for mixing things up. Sworkit and Workout Trainer are decent.

If you're looking for something specifically for outdoors though, you could try the playground workout

DopeItUp

I drink beer.

Just kidding, I don't make excuses and I just go.

MoiAussi93

intervals with burpees

BraveNewdGirl

MoiAussi93 wrote: »

intervals with burpees

That is *so* much worse than running! Sadist!

Putting mine in with those recommending FitnessBlender and NerdFitness. They're both awesome!

mochapygmy

I seriously love my gym but have friends that are big fans of fitnessblender and neila rey workouts. Lots of different types on those sites.

lrbassmom

I'll look into those apps! Thanks.

determined_14

BraveNewdGirl wrote: »

MoiAussi93 wrote: »

intervals with burpees

That is *so* much worse than running! Sadist!

Putting mine in with those recommending FitnessBlender and NerdFitness. They're both awesome!

Here's a 3rd vote for Fitness Blender!

climbbunny

Hiking is awesome for the legs but I always have the temptation to eat snacks! I recommend climbing, there is always variety for doing different routes and I love the challenge. You really work out various parts of your body.

meritage4

How about soccer? I'm 56 and rollerblade-okay I also use my cross country skate poles-and I wear a helmet-but no bad falls or wipeouts. I also bike. How about paddling? a canoe a kayak a standup SUP board? or rowing? or skipping?

erinelizabeth882

Definitely youtube videos. You can find them for all levels, time frames, intensities, etc. I love them for days that I don't feel like getting to the gym. And I can't make excuses about not having enough time because there are good 10 minutes ones and hour long ones and everything in between. Also, the usual, hiking, biking, etc. I also love climbing (at a gym or preferably outside) and canoeing when I have the resources and time to do that!

jennifershoo

BraveNewdGirl wrote: »

MoiAussi93 wrote: »

intervals with burpees

That is *so* much worse than running! Sadist!

Putting mine in with those recommending FitnessBlender and NerdFitness. They're both awesome!

Lol!
Doesn't everyone hate burpees?!

And + 1 for Fitness Blender

meritage4

What about tennis? badminton? Basketball?

spfldpam

Like others have mention bike riding outside. Walking a mile or two on your lunch hour. I just walked 1.85 miles in 30 min on my lunch hour inside and boy does it make a difference with the rest of my work day. It gives me energy and nice to get out of the office too and enjoy that 75 degree weather we are having.
Today is supposed to be my gym day but it is so nice out, I think I will head home after work and bike ride outside instead and do the gym workout Thurs and Fri this week when it is supposed be rainy outside.
Fitness dvds are good too. Youtube free videos are great too. I get bored easy too. I can only be on a cardio machine at the gym for 30 min max. My go to is the elliptical machine since it burns the most calories for me in a 30 min period.
Good luck and have fun!

JAT74

I have a home gym but I don't use it very often because I prefer DVD workouts like Jillian Michaels or the Beachbody series. I find them a lot more motivating and it gives me a progressively difficult program to follow. I also take my dog for walks a few times a week and when I want a change I head into the gym and use the machines, stops me getting bored.