What do you do to make exercise fun?

I'm not sure these things make it "fun", but they definitely make it more enjoyable...music, having time to myself, and the feeling I get afterward when look back over a month or so and see how I've improved...run faster, lift more, etc.

I've sort of learned to love it, but when I first started, I used to absolutely hate cardio, so I would often just put on some music I like and dance. I still do that when I don't feel like doing anything else, and it's a great way to work up a sweat without really thinking about distance or how fast I'm going or any those factors.

Personally, I hated doing stuff until I bought the Zombies, Run! app for my phone. Now I get to listen to a story in between my music, and it makes me feel like I'm in a game or something. Really lets my imagination run wild! I also workout for "lazy credit" that I can use towards stuff like watching football games or something.

Easy! I don't 'exercise,' I play. I dance around the house, hoola hoop, ride my bike, try to climb stuff, fall off stuff. I roller skate with my husband. Hang on to my husband's arm for dear life because I can't roller skate. There's a studio near my place that offers aerial silk classes. I'm thinking of signing up for that. I do yoga too, but I consider that more meditative than horsing around. I also consider regular exercise as playing too. I like lifting weights because I like the thought of myself overcoming limits and getting stronger.

However, there are some forms of exercise I absolutely REFUSE to do. Running is an activity that makes zero sense to me. My husband loves to go out for a job now and then. I've joined him a couple of times and thought it the most pointless activity (no offense to anyone who loves jogging). I also refuse to get on cardio machines like steppers and elliptical trainers because I get bored really easily.

I listen to books on my Ipod which takes my mind off the workout. Exercise is just not fun for me - with the exception of walking early in the morning in the country! I could do that forever when the weather is nice.

It's an obligation to get some things I really do love. A price to be paid, a job to be done.

Whether it's "fun" or not is pretty much irrelevant.

This is exactly what my husband says. lol.

I find exercise in itself fun, but music definitely makes it better! Also switching up my routines constantly (new running routes, different circuit exercises) helps to keep things interesting as well.

I dance my butt off... Or up! Lol! With Hip Hop Abs and Brazil Butt Lift. I've been a dancer my whole life so dance work outs are where it's at for me. And I actually LIKE lifting weights, it makes me feel like a bada**. Like I'm just prepping for the day the government calls me in to be a super spy, or the zombie apocalypse happens or something, you know? Lol.

I never liked to exercise either but I wanted to be healthier so I found someone to exercise with - it makes it a lot more fun - we alternate activities too which helps - rowing, biking, HIIT on the elliptical, walking, dancing. I also got a fitbit which motivates me to meet my daily goal - whether it's steps walked, active minutes or flights of stairs climbed. It's a drag at first but then you start to feel better & look better and eventually it gets to be kind of fun.

Good luck!

While I do (luckily) enjoy running and going to the gym, I have the most fun playing competitive team sports. I have no idea what I'm going to do when I'm done with college and likely won't have that activity at my disposal.

• Uplifting or high energy music while doing aerobic exercise - very good.
• Listen to audio books while doing something methodical and boring.
• Mood music while doing yoga and stretching.
• Used to live in rural areas. Went for walks for hours with music, audio books or other stuff to entertain the mind.
• Dancing to music when feel the mood - always good idea!

On a more detailed note, I think you need to find a "hook" for your exercise. Almost everyone I try to encourage to get more exercise, who needs it but doesn't engage, has negative feelings about it. Exercise should make you feel good. Start with that. Find anything that makes you feel good and expand from there.

Working out on the stationary bike, going for a long walk or going for a run used to be the best I'd feel all day. Seriously. Not at the start but after completing a half hour to an hour. Trying to get back to that right now. If you can find a way to make it fun exercise doesn't feel like a chore. It shouldn't be! That's crucial, especially if losing weight, because it doesn't feel like a willpower drain if its fun. Its a break from the grind and difficulties of other aspects of life.

My favorite set up when I was more into cardio was to have my most energizing euphoric house music tracks from way back always available when I worked out. I also liked psychedelic visuals via computer, privacy - because I'd get into some weird head-spaces while working out and loads of water, preferably with electrolytes because I'd sweat like crazy if in a good state of mind.

I also find its helpful to have a natural dopamine boost, like having someone you find attractive or you want to impress in your mind while you work out or some kind of adversary to overcome. Dopamine = motivation.