"Alternate" forms of exercise?

scookiemonster
scookiemonster Posts: 175 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Wondering how many people here choose some more nontraditional forms of exercise. Most of the posts here seem to be about either traditional gym workouts (cardio machines, weights, etc.) or common exercises like running. There are also a lot of posts about things that are gaining in popularity these days, like p90x or insanity (which to me are still pretty traditional gym workouts, just with a twist).

For most of my cardio, I run outside when I can, and do the elliptical inside (I have one in my living room) for when I can't. However, it wasn't until I discovered rock climbing that I found something active to do that I actually enjoyed. I like running outside on a nice day, but in bad weather it's misery, and my time on the elliptical mostly just feels like a necessary self-punishment. It's only the climbing where I really just don't even notice the time going by. I mostly climb in a gym, but when I get the chance (which isn't super often) I'll take a trip to an outdoor climbing area. I've climbed in the Gunks and the Red, and my husband and I are planning a trip to Acadia this summer. There's not really anywhere near me that isn't a bit of a drive though.

Anyway, just wondering if there are others out there who do other things besides the more standard gym/bootcamp/running/etc. type workouts. Finding an activity you love can be really motivating, so I'm wondering what kinds of things others have found.

Replies

  • Griffin220x
    Griffin220x Posts: 399
    What are you trying to achieve?
  • muziclver
    muziclver Posts: 145 Member
    I use raquetball as a source of exercise personally. But I also match it with some strength training in the gym.
  • Flixie00
    Flixie00 Posts: 1,195 Member
    I play squash, but mainly stick to standard exercises. I have a few MFP pals that do more interesting sports like horse riding, ice skating and track & field sports. Variety is great but difficult to fit into my daily schedule.
  • singer201
    singer201 Posts: 563 Member
    I started with just plain walking, then gardening/yard work (mowing, weeding, trimming, cleaning up), and now I am outside with my horses about 3 hours a day (cleaning paddocks, pushing the muck cart up and down the hill, feeding/chores, ground work or riding). Like you, I have to be doing something that is interesting, necessary, or productive to keep at the exercise.
  • SkinnyBubbaGaar
    SkinnyBubbaGaar Posts: 389 Member
    A few recent exercise entries from my diary:


    - Water Polo
    - Digging Ditches
    - Running Through Airports
    - Texas Chainsaw Massacre (i.e. clearing dead trees off the property / chainsaw work)
    - Throwin' Sh** and Burnin' Things (picking up those sawed logs/branches and burning them)
    - Shoveling Chicken Poo and Throwin' Hay
    - Slash and Burn (clearing brush)



    and my #1 favorite....



    - Nice Warm Bubble Bath (i.e. rest day)
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    I log HIT *kitten* its my alternative to curls. They don't let me in the squat rack no more. :sad:
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    Suspension training
    Sandbag training
    Kettlebells
    All favorites of mine, very effective.
  • BigBrunette
    BigBrunette Posts: 1,543 Member
    I've never been able to stick to a gym schedule, and I can't run, so I'm trying to get into an exercise routine that works for me. For now, I'm walking. I also like to put on some funky music and dance (badly). But, hey, bad dancing burns as many calories as good dancing!
  • scookiemonster
    scookiemonster Posts: 175 Member
    What are you trying to achieve?

    I'm not trying to achieve anything specific other than finding physical activities that are a little bit more fun and motivating than standard gym exercise, which I find tedious. If I find something enjoyable, I'm more likely to do it. When I find exercise unpleasant or tedious, I have a hard time motivating myself to do it and I don't tend to push at it. I'm not trying to train for anything specific, just a general increase in physical activity, cardiovascular health, and strength.
  • mushroomcup
    mushroomcup Posts: 145 Member
    I love rock climbing too. Haven't done it in a couple of years and I was never really great at it, but it's a great workout and so much fun!

    I also get pretty bored with standard exercise. I don't do much of anything interesting (unfortunately), but one thing that helps me is to exercise while watching a movie/tv show. That way I won't just be thinking, "up.... down.... up..... down......" YAWN.
  • keepongoingnmw
    keepongoingnmw Posts: 371 Member
    I heard of a guy who wields a sledgehammer around for 15 minutes a day. He has named all sorts of moves ect, and he is really fit looking. it is kinda a geek fitness thing. I would worry about form . he admits he is not a trainer and to use caution.

    I think its called shoveglove....perhaps you could google it?
  • mummyzena
    mummyzena Posts: 259 Member
    I'll be going back to pole dancing and boxing once i'm back up to a decent fitness.

    Also to the above poster, i know in the uk we have lots of medival reanactments where you wander around in chainmail and swing 6ft swords... A neighbour does it and it is one of the most impressive things i've seen.
  • RunnerElizabeth
    RunnerElizabeth Posts: 1,091 Member
    I used to do 8-10 hour hikes on Saturdays, but this is too hard for me to do now that I would have a toddler on my back. We keep our hiking mileage under 3 now and elevation gain under 1000 ft. I also enjoy snow shoeing in the winter.
  • HSingMomto7Kids
    HSingMomto7Kids Posts: 345 Member
    I love running, Jillian Michaels workouts and the treadmill these days. I'm not a gym girl!!
  • stephaniemartin42
    stephaniemartin42 Posts: 12
    Kangoo! It's the most fun workout I've ever done, and according to my HRM, I burn between 900 and 1200 calories per workout (one hour). I do Kangoo 2-3 times per week, and usually one tabata boot camp-style class and/or one pilates class.

    I've just started using My Fitness Pal and this is my first post. :-)
  • katy_trail
    katy_trail Posts: 1,992 Member
    running stairs, if I really want an intense version I alternate weight lifting moves with stair laps.

    M100's can't do this yet, but someday

    intervals with punching bag. I prefer the standing bag, like a wave master.
    it's portable and doesn't move as much as the standard kind.
    it's a lot of fun, a great workout, and you can do it whatever the weather
    and it's very fast, if you can last a long time, it's a serious sign of endurance.

    for outside i'm always game for hiking or anything camping related.
    even if I'm covered in moisquitos and poison ivy
    I don't spend enough time out there

    also, you could try a track workout
    there could be a gym or college near by that lets the public use it.
    there are tons of ways to use a track in your workout
    not just running or intervals, but many others
    i just can't remember them right now.

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