Whether you don’t have access to a gym, are intimidated by the gym, or just want to switch up your workouts, there are plenty of ways you can get active without setting foot in a gym (or signing a gym contract!).
Looking for inspiration for how else to get active? Our editors can help. We asked them: Besides the gym, how do you like to stay active? Here’s what they said:
I love group fitness. I do a yoga class every week, and I join a sports league with my friends every season. This past year, I played pickleball in the spring, soccer in the summer, and kickball this fall.
-Jenna Anderson
I am not and have never been a gym person. Instead, you can find me at the indoor pool every morning. I used to be a competitive swimmer and a swim coach, so I make my own sets. I’m usually in the pool for at least 45 minutes. I switch up the strokes, distances, and intensity.
Besides swimming, I also walk and play pickleball.
-Colleen Murphy
I have a weekly phone call with a long-distance best friend on my calendar. Instead of spending an hour sitting, we both grab a cup of coffee or tea and hit the pavement. I get some serious but easy steps in while we catch up.
-Amanda Doyle
You can catch me in running in Central Park almost every day. Actually, hopefully you can’t catch me.
-Anisa Arsenault
I go on hour-long walks at the park across the street from my place. I admit going on long walks just isn’t always possible, but when I do, it’s super enjoyable to either listen to a long podcast, a new album I’ve had in queue, or make it a prayer walk. Or, sometimes I just do some light cardio on the treadmill with the 12-3-30 method.
-Mellanie Perez
My favorite ways to be active are hiking and kayaking. I live in New York City, where accessing nature can be challenging, but there are several train and bus lines that go to trailheads in the surrounding area. I also belong to a kayaking club in Brooklyn that runs short paddles on the East River.
On weekends, I occasionally lead outdoor trips out of the city for activities like rafting, kayaking, and skiing as a part-time guide.
-Maggie Donahue
I like to get my activity outside when possible, and I think having a go-to sport or activity for each season really helps with that. My partner and I play tennis May through October, hike in the spring and fall, and ski all winter.
My biggest tip for getting outside in the colder months is to have the right gear. A good jacket and warm underlayers can make even cold, rainy days enjoyable.
-Hannah Harper
I actually haven’t gone to the gym in years! I live in California and take full advantage of the weather—most of my exercise comes from walking or running outside, which I complement with HIIT video workouts at home.
-Jani Hall
Weekends are often jam-packed with to-dos and family activities, which means I rarely sit down. Daily walks throughout the week keep me moving on workdays, as does trying to step away from my computer every 30 minutes—even if I’m using my standing desk.
-Jamie Wolff
What you do to stay active is totally up to you. If you’re trying a new activity, consider talking to your doctor first to make sure it’s safe and appropriate for you.
Oftentimes, the best type of exercise is one that you enjoy and can do regularly. Here are some considerations when picking out a new go-to activity:
- Cost: When selecting an activity, think about how expensive it might be to start. Do you have to buy special equipment or clothes? Also, consider how much it will cost to stick with it. Will you have to pay a membership fee or buy new equipment from time to time?
- Access: Think about whether you have easy enough access to keep up with the activity regularly. Consider how long it takes for you to get to the activity, or if you need transportation. For instance, if you live near a mountain, you can plan to hike every weekend. But if you live in a city, walking around your neighborhood or in a nearby park may be more convenient.
- Scenery: Consider the location and time of day you’d be doing the activity. If you are exercising in a place and at a time you enjoy most, you are more likely to get the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week.
