Don’t like the gym but want to exercise

[Beginnersmusic]

I feel like I need some physical activity in my life for my mental health but also so I can be fitter, but I can’t decide what. Would love some ideas.

I used to go to the gym but I don’t think I ever really enjoyed it.
I’m pretty unfit so I don’t think team sports are for me because I would feel to embarrassed so it probably has to be something I can do on my own.
I used to enjoy cycling but I lived near a long cycle path back then and I’m too scared off being on the road.
Can’t swim so I started swimming lessons many years ago which I enjoyed but didn’t make much progress.
I really enjoy walking but it doesn’t feel intense enough to get that exercising high. I hate running.

I know it sounds like I’m full of excuses but I really want something that makes me feel motivated (the way I was about learning swimming or when I used to cycle) so that I can continue it on a long term basis.

Sounds like cycling would be the best option again. Maybe do some research into where you're nearest realistic cycle route might be (ideally that avoids roads of course), if you didn't do so already.

Failing that, would a home exercise bike work? Would this avoid the things you dislike about the gym?

what about trying zumba or a HIT class?

Martial arts.
Gym didn't work for me either, i won't exercise at home by myself and i won't run. But i found a local class with a brilliant instructor - no more excuses to be lazy - because you know he waits for you and actually works with you. Maybe not ideal in terms of weight loss - but still good.

Parkrun? You can walk… a brisk walk round, maybe try and tick off a few different events within a certain distance of your house or sign up as tailwalker?

I tried all manner of exercise over the years, but my absolute favourite has been power walking (on average I do 8k a day which is just over an hour). I love being out in nature…seeing the foliage change throughout the year etc. Incidentally, the weight absolutely dropped off too. I listen to music, podcasts or sometimes just the bird song. Best thing I’ve ever done for myself.

Do you have any outdoor bootcamp
type classes near you? I’ve been to a few over the years and I absolutely love them. I know you said you’d rather do something alone because you’re embarrassed but you will find there’s a massive range at these sorts of classes and the instructors tend to be really good at challenging everyone at their own level. Eg at the one I go to currently there’s an ultra marathon runner and there’s a woman who is doing couch to 5k. A total mix and everyone really supports each other. I’ve made brilliant friends through them.

I was going to suggest outdoor bootcamp too. There may be a bit of running but it's mainly strength work. There is also a hula hoop group near me!

And if you have a parkrun near you, that is an easy win. Walking might not seem like vigorous enough exercise, but if you are being timed, you walk faster and you'll want to improve your times, so you'll make more of an effort, get a bit out of breath etc.

Do you have any cycle groups near you? Breeze is good if you have a local group as they offer rides for women.

I am also in an outdoor bootcamp group. At first I was in a group with extremely fit people and I couldn’t keep up with them. But now i found a group of older women and we still do all the stuff like planks and lunges … but just not to intense. And I really like to be outdoors, no loud music, just the birds and the wind.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Some interesting stuff there that I hadn’t considered like an outdoor bootcamp and martial arts. I don’t actually need to lose weight. 1-2 kilos lighter would be nice but I’m a healthy weight so that’s not really what’s motivating me. It’s mostly that I want to do something for the mental health benefits and I also want to stop feeling ‘unfit’.

I think I would love to do more cycling (if I felt safe) and more long walks (if I was somewhere beautiful and not in the ugly suburbs!). It may be that I need to venture out a bit further for those things but I’m also time poor with a full time job and young kids. Also have an interest in dancing but worry about keeping up in a group class. Sometimes also feel like I should explore swimming lessons again and maybe a better instructor might help.

How about a ‘back to’ or beginners group - netball, tennis, hockey all do these. No one’s expecting any sort of fitness in these things!