Recommend your sport/exercise/thing

[JustAnotherViper]

I’m in need of a new physical thing to do.

Tell me about your hobby/sport/activities and why I should try it?

Running....addictive but gives you plenty of time away to think. With all other benefits also

But it can also be sociable, plenty of events, clubs and online communities if you want to make friends

I love rowing (on a machine, not a boat unfortunately). It’s cardio and resistance in one, works 85% of the major muscle groups and is low impact on your joints.

From what I can work out from rowing related post on social media, it attracts people who have either a “no pain, no gain” attitude, or who are obsessed with exercise stats. I’m guilty of both, so it’s right up my street 😁

Every year I do C25k and then stop running. I need more motivation.

Rowing sounds interesting. I used to Kayak and enjoy being on the water.

Triathlon. Friendly, can be as relaxed or competitive as you like. Some newcomer events are really short. You don't have to compete at all. Our club has from super slow ( me) to those representing gb at age group levels, doing iron man etc. Lots of variety in training.

Kickboxing! Absolutely love it and feel so strong and confident after a class. And it's also great for stress relief...

If you do c25k every year, is it because you actually enjoy running?
If so, why not sign up to a race/running event so that you keep up your running leading up to it?
I always have a race or two penciled in because otherwise I get into a rut of not running and then it gets harder to get out there, despite the fact that I really love it when I'm in the swing of it.

Cycling -I have gone from indoor cycling during the pandemic (stuck at home with DC) to going out with my local Breeze group. I even did a 66 mile sportive in Spring. Highly recommended! www.letsride.co.uk/breeze

Paddle Boarding -may not be easy for all but I live about 100 metres from the beach.

Weights -totally essential in menopause and has a much more rewarding impact on my general fitness than cardio.

I have long accepted that running isn't for me. I just don't get a lot out of it.

I did c25k. Really found it hard. I don't like exercise, but I started doing parkrun and love that. It took a while, but now I actually look forward to Saturday mornings. And if you can't face the run. You can always volunteer.

Off road cycling (not too hilly). On a gravel bike. omg, fun!!
I get QoMs all the time : not because I'm fast, but because so few other women on same trails.

Peloton, I love it. I spin, do the power zone rides and the scenic rides - love the guided scenic rides.
I also “run” on a trampoline as I have bad hips from pregnancy. It’s brilliant fun and I watch a trashy tv show while doing it 😂

Weight training and paddleboarding.

I do lots of things but not all at the same time! - because I get bored easily:

Zumba
Aquafit
Running
Free workouts with FitOn app
Tennis
Badminton
Spinning
Swimming
Weights/toning

So I sort of rotate these as and when.

Swimming, especially Open water swimming. It’s very friendly, excellent exercise, and just a massive thrill that makes you feel really good.

I run a couple of times a week (half hour ish, pay very little attention to speed or distance stats. I know I’m slow and I’ve accepted it!), love to paddleboard, and I’m just waiting on a work loan to come through to buy a bike for my commute!!
apple fitness workouts have become something I really enjoy since I got my watch, too!! Love the variety of workouts on there.

Peloton- it’s right there and I don’t need to look even vaguely presentable/shower first. I choose classes based on music and really enjoy it.

also quite keen on their strength classes too.

Horse riding- outdoors, good calorie burner, improves general core strength and coordination. Building a relationship/partnership with an amazing animal and marvelling that something that weighs half a ton (or more) allows us to get on their backs and carry us.

Running: one of the most logistically simple exercises, I love parkrun and races, easy to track progress, like a walk but I can fit more in.

Yoga: I tend to do it at home but have a good foundation from classes. Simple, accessible, good for strength and muscles. I'll tend to have phases of it. I tried hot yoga this spring, pricey but lovely and I'll dabble with it in the colder months when my muscles go tight.

Swimming: any swimming is good, but I'm now in love with open water and find it invigorating... especially at 5⁰C 😂

Circuits: great for strength and general fitness. I've had a running injury since new year but have ķept my circuits up and my weights are going up and I still feel fit. It makes me feel hardcore 😂

Strength training (used to be heavy lifting, now mainly bodyweight - pullups, pushups, dips etc). Great stress-buster and excellent for women as they get older (I'm mid-50s). I push myself on that. You do need help to start with at least.

I run 2/3 times a week, don't push myself, enjoy the scenery and audible. And a bit of HIIT. And loads of fast walking.

Can't you take up kayaking again? Or maybe try stand-up paddle boarding ... though tbh although it looks cool and I suppose the kit is more transportable, sitting down makes more sense to me.
Or even better, sailing or windsurfing.

Cycling - I can toddle along a flat route for a quiet easy ride, or I can pick a route with hills and get the cadence up if I’m trying to get more exercise out if it. And it gives me the means to exercise on my commute. And most importantly for me, it’s easy on the knees…i knackered one falling off a horse many years back!

Weekly Parkruns - Saturday at 9.30 am in Scotland or 9.00am England.
Gives a bit of focus to running and something other than speed to think about ( as I'm deathly slow).

Other than that I've started going to Bodypump again after a few years hiatus. I know it's not as good as free weights, but I find the gym really boring on my own so the music keeps me going.

Hey

I was a runner and now lift weights . It has really helped me mentally and physically I am more confident and strong!

I also like a good old hike and hubby and I often take off for 8/10 miles at the weekend and we are looking forward to a mini break in the dales next week to do the same. Done some pretty challenging walks like Helvellyn, The Old Man of Conniston and similar. Really satisfying and free!

I think because I used to live by the sea it was an easy option and when I moved away I stopped. There is a big park locally that offers all sorts of boat type activities and I think swimming too so I’ll have to investigate.

someone asked about the running. I actually don’t particularly love it but it’s easy to squeeze in, and helps keep the fitness up so I do it.

id like to do weights for the health benefits but I think I’d need a gym for that.

id like to do weights for the health benefits but I think I’d need a gym for that.

Actually, no you don't! Try Caroline Girvan's workout programmes on YouTube - EPIC 1, 2, 3 et cetera. Each session is around 30-50 minutes and all you need is a couple of sets of dumbbells, a resistance band and a mat. Very well structured and effective.

There is a thread here about her which has been going for over a year. Join us!

For HIIT I'd suggest Growingannanas and Kaykay. Again, lots of workouts on YouTube, both with weights and without/more cardio based.