Dyana Macalino
October 1, 2018
For some people, the gym is like their second home. All the fancy equipment, different classes, and camaraderie forged with other members gives them the motivation to go. But what if the thought of running on a treadmill doesn’t appeal to you. Or you’re looking to get fit but don’t want to pay membership fees and expensive personal trainers? Does this mean all hope is lost? You don’t have to go to the gym to keep fit. Most activities that get you moving can be considered exercise.
1. Yoga
Yoga goes beyond toning muscles and burning calories. It combines exercise for the mind and body. Different poses help stretch and develop strength for the body. You don’t have to be a gymnast if you’re interested in trying it out. There are different types of yoga and each workout has their own specialty. There are programmes for beginners and advanced students. It can be done indoors or outdoors. Yoga targets the core, arms, legs, glutes, and back. You can opt to go to a studio or practice in the comfort of your home by streaming yoga exercise videos online. Yoga is an exercise where most poses and stretches can be done by people of all ages and fitness levels. Though if you have a medical condition like high blood pressure, heart problems, or diabetes, it is best to consult your doctor before trying yoga.
2. Muay Thai
Muay Thai is an excellent way to keep fit. One session can burn up to 1000 calories! There are different drills to choose from and it’s fun learning and applying the various techniques. The lessons are diverse and you won’t find yourself bored with repeating the same lessons over and over in each class. Not only will it do wonders for your cardiovascular health, it also promotes flexibility. The different movements require you to move, bend, and kick a lot which trains your body to be more lithe as you go along the lessons. An improved physique does wonders for your posture so your body not only moves and feels better, you look good while doing it too.
3. Swimming
Swimming is a good workout for those who experience difficulty with traditional forms of exercising due to joint problems like arthritis, obesity, or are recovering from an injury. Water is 12 times denser than air so you can continue practicing moves and tone muscles, without worrying about injuries. Though a swimming session can leave you feeling ravenous so make sure to prepare a nutritious meal to eat after.
4. Stairs
Skip the long lines at the office or mall by taking the stairs instead of the elevator. If you feel the burn in your glutes and legs, that’s a sign that a toned body is right around the corner. Running up the stairs for half an hour can burn a whopping 422 calories! Stairs can be found in many places - your house, office, mall, and friend’s condominium are just a few examples. Be sure to study the proper technique for running up and down the stairs to protect your joints and knees from injuries and sprains. If you’re new to this type of exercise, take intervals. Start with a few minutes each day till you build enough endurance and stamina and you can do a steady half hour workout (or more).
5. Bike to work
If you’re tired of the traffic here in Metro Manila and would like to sneak in some exercise in your daily schedule, biking to work is a good alternative instead of enduring long lines at the MRT/LRT or spending hours in a vehicle enduring traffic. Though this is advisable to those whose office is within biking distance to their homes. Devise a route that involves bike lanes and wide roads for your safety. Biking on a congested road which is loaded with cars is hazardous to your health. Your bike should have a sturdy basket or wear a comfortable backpack to bring your stuff to and from work. Wear breathable clothes during your ride and bring an extra set of clothes for the office since it doesn’t look good going to work sweaty and stinky. Safety should be a priority during your commute so wear a helmet, obey traffic rules as if you’re driving a car, and be attention to your surroundings.
