Help me find an exercise I enjoy!

[IncorrigibleTitmouse]

I know I need to do more exercise, but I really, really hate it. I always have. I was useless at PE at school (that’s a whole other slightly traumatic thread) and I just need to find something I don’t dread.

Walking is the one I can stir myself up to do because I listen to an audiobook and get on with it, but I live in a country where the outdoor temperatures will be in the mid to high 30s as a minimum from next month through till at least the end of September so that will have to stop soon.

Team sports are 100% out, swimming likewise because I’m not confident enough to be in public in a swimsuit. I tried a barre/Pilates class and liked it, but after a few months some other women at the class were really awful to me when I had to make some modifications and I was so embarrassed I haven’t been back.

Anyone else overcome a hatred of exercise and found something they enjoy?

Walk with Rik or Team Body Project on YouTube. I prefer TBP overall and I hate exercise with a passion

Yoga is a good starting point. Nice gentle exercise that gets you moving without building up too much of a sweat.
Walking or dancing videos on YouTube.
Cycling? Or invest in an exercise bike if you're not comfortable going out cycling yet. The time can pass quickly with music or a podcast on while you're pedalling.

I second the Team Body Project recommendation.

Would recommend clubbercise if your looking for a fun class. I loved it pre COVID, clubby tunes turned up all the lights turned off except hand held glow sticks so no one see what your doing or which bits are wobbling. I would burn 600 calories some classes

It’s awful you had to deal with those ladies in your class.
Have you considered getting a personal trainer for 1 to 1 sessions? They can be great at motivating and the fitness program will be specifically for you.x

Those classes sound horrible. I've been to many many yoga, pilates and barre classes over the years and don't think I've ever been to one where every single participant was able to do every exercise as demonstrated without alternatives or modification. In yoga teacher training we learn about the myriad reasons why people might need an alternative and all the ways in which we can offer them and make a class achievable for everyone. It's just expected that you'll need to have an arsenal of modifications up your sleeve because everybody's body is different.

I'm surprised the instructor didn't nip the shitty behaviour in the bud.

Re the recommendations for pole fitness - it's not my thing personally but I know loads of people of all shapes and sizes who absolutely love it and have seen amazing improvements to their upper body strength very quickly, and it's very unjudgmental. Same for hoop fitness.

@lunkitsmum

Would recommend clubbercise if your looking for a fun class. I loved it pre COVID, clubby tunes turned up all the lights turned off except hand held glow sticks so no one see what your doing or which bits are wobbling. I would burn 600 calories some classes

I actually teach this, and the reason I teach it is because it's the most fun class ever and I love it so much. There's a routine for every track that's dead easy to follow (I have no dance ability!) and there are high and low impact options so it works for all fitness levels. Dark room with disco lights and glow sticks and the music is brilliant - all the big club hits from the 90s to present day.

If you have a local class and you like the music, definitely go along and try it.

@IncorrigibleTitmouse You said you enjoyed Pilates? My sister runs online classes for beginners and the people who come to her classes are all lovely! — just 'normal' women of all shapes and sizes who don't take themselves too seriously. Lots of her students have adaptations and she designs her classes to be really accessible so no one feels singled out.

Have a look if you're after a friendly, interactive online beginners' Pilates class: katpilates.co.uk/online-pilates/live-online-pilates-classes