Ideas for exercise

[fromthefloorboardsup]

I've decided I'm going to use September to do a '30 days of exercise challenge' as I need a kick up the bum to get fit!

I already do ballet and I like swimming and running but does anyone have other suggestions?

I'd like to try new things and keep it interesting! Thank you!

Vary your running: try a trail run and see if there's an obstacle race near you. And do a different parkrun each Saturday.

Try Pilates classes, ballroom dancing, any tyre types of dance class near you.

Look out for taster sessions at gyms (especially newly opened ones) - try things like spin this way

Short course of tennis lessons? Try kayaking? Hire bikes near somewhere with pretty cycle paths? Pony-trekking?

Ah these are helpful, thanks!

A friend of mine has just started Nordic walking & says it’s quite strenuous and fun.

Boot camp? These seem to be in all my local parks on Saturday or Sunday mornings.

If you have a lake nearby, you could see if they do any one-off sessions for kayaking, windsurfing, etc.

Pony trekking or riding lesson?

Sorry, just seen AuntieStella already suggested kayak & riding.

If you already like ballet, would you be interested in barre class? I've found it really good for toning and that would go well with running for cardio.

I am by a river and the sea (Devon) so lots of water around. Thanks for suggestions, when I googled it was a lot of gym classes or weights. I wanted something more interesting! I'll look into some of these ideas

Couch to 5k? Download the free and and choose your mentor!

I've been using it a while and it's really positive!

Good luck op

Ah yes I had a go at Couch to 5k before and liked it. Will have to start again now but I did enjoy it. Thank you!

Embrace your inner child!

Get a skipping rope

It's utterly exhausting, and I have no idea how I did it all break-time in primary. Also you can do elastic if you put it round chair legs. Or get one of those ball-on-a-string-on-a-hoop things and jump - remember to do on both legs

I love a spin class - if you're a gym member would definitely recommend. Burns tons of calories and you come out feeling great.

Outdoor gym, wild swimming. Table tennis at one of those public tables, badminton if you have someone to play with.

Skating. Ice or roller skating at a rink near you if you have one. Inline skating outdoors. Skatepark if you are feeling adventurous. Feels like you are having fun instead of exercising but it's pretty much the absolute best exercise there is as it's both an excellent aerobic and anaerobic exercise in one. Massive calorie burn and very effectively builds nearly all major muscle groups. The effects on the core are frankly stunning - who knew you could develop a 6 pack by accident!?! My butt hasn't looked so good in 20 years. Even my arms quickly became toned and muscular. There is nothing like it.

Fitness blender on utube has all kinds of different classes for all levels of fitness

Surfing?

Stand up paddle boarding?

Bouldering or climbing?

These are all great suggestions thank you. I'll report back about how I get on!

@AuntieStella I used to love those ball and jump things as a kid! Takes me back!

If you already like ballet, would you be interested in barre class?

Barre classes are nothing like ballet and teach crap technique. Much better off finding a really good Pilates instructor, a good yoga teacher, or finding someone who teaches PBT: Progressing Ballet Technique.

We do PBT at my studio - it’s a bit like Pilates but specifically oriented towards the strength needed for ballet and some of the finer points of ballet technique.

I supplement 2 or 3 ballet classes a week with a couple of Body Pump classes and a pretty heavy weightlifting session. And lots of squats - they make my core and legs and back good and strong for ballet.