7 Ways to Make Exercising More Fun!

Most people would say that their favorite activities don’t involve exercising. That might be true if your favorite activity is sleeping. However, there are many ways you may already be exercising, doing things you usually do. If you take walks, bike, golf, play pickleball, or do other activities, you’re already burning calories and building muscle. It might not take much effort to add extra minutes to your usual routine. This way, you’re increasing your fitness level by doing an activity you already like.

What if you aren’t doing much now? No problem! First, think about activities that appeal to you. Maybe you used to do a fun activity but have fallen out of the habit. Or maybe there is something you’ve always liked to try but haven’t taken the time to start. Once you’ve identified something that arouses your interest, consider joining a group or an organization that provides opportunities for the activity. Maybe it’s a community education class or a fitness club. Whatever the source, committing to someone or something outside yourself, combined with the positive energy from an activity you enjoy, will provide motivation to stick with a healthy lifestyle choice.

Try Something New

If you do a single type of exercise every time you work out, maybe it's time to try something new. It’s normal to get bored with the same old routine, and that could be a trigger for slacking off. To avoid getting in a dangerous rut, it's time to change it up! Try some new exercises, sports, or workouts. Adding an exercise might be enough to make your workout more enjoyable, but if you're bored with your entire routine, try changing it completely.

For example, if you weightlift, try calisthenics. If you like to swim, try power walking or tai chi. Perhaps you enjoy playing tennis. Pickleball might be a good choice that utilizes similar skills but has a different vibe. The point is to refocus your attention on the enjoyable aspects of fitness by learning new things and meeting new people.

Find a Partner

Working out with others can motivate you to do more and to have a little fun while pushing yourself. Getting someone to do the exercises with you can create an environment where you can enjoy a little friendly competition with others. If you'd like to participate in sports that involve others, consider forming a group to exercise together. Exercising with new and different people creates a novel experience that can be both fun and competitive. Try it out if you enjoy playing tennis, golf, or any other sports or exercises that you can do with others.

Try a Group Fitness Class

This is a step up from working out with a partner. Exercising in a group class can be fun because it allows for activity in a larger social setting. You can meet more people, work harder, and be in a friendly environment with others rather than being alone or with a single partner. You may also find it motivating to have the instructor lead the class and guide you through the activity. Additionally, having a scheduled time will help hold you accountable for completing the workout.

Set Goals and Rewards

Setting goals for your exercise brings two benefits. First, setting a goal forces you to assess your current fitness level and then decide on the level of improvement you want to achieve. Second, a goal motivates to get moving each day, driving you to continue making progress.

Striving for a goal is even more motivating if you know there will be rewards along the way. When you complete the challenging portion of your exercise, you can reward yourself with a fun activity or a more relaxing workout. For example, when you play team sports, you complete the tedious drills first, and then you look forward to the enjoyable scrimmages and games that follow.

Track Your Progress

This aligns with setting goals. Keeping track of your progress enables you to gauge the level of effort needed to make progress toward your goal. If you are on track, then the current effort level should be maintained. If you’re falling behind, it means you need to kick things up a notch.

Use Technology

There are several fun technologies available that provide compelling reasons for you to get up and get moving. "Pokémon Go" is an excellent example because it incorporates walking in a popular smartphone-based video game. Players walk around outside in the hope of catching Pokémon, creatures that have powers and that you can train and use to battle other trainers. Another walking-oriented app game is "Zombies, Run," which gamesforchange.org describes as:

“Zombies, Run! challenges players to outrun zombie hoards as they exercise while tracking their pace via their device’s GPS or accelerometer. The game’s missions alternate between the player’s own music, and short radio broadcasts from Abel Township, which tell the story of the town’s struggle to survive after a zombie outbreak.”

Other technologies that make exercise fun include:

• Fitness trackers – Monitoring fitness progress becomes a breeze with a wristwatch-style tracker. Select your workout type, click a button, and you're off. The device will track such metrics as elapsed time, distance, elevation, and calories burned. These devices also report biometric data like heart rate, muscle activation, and oxygen level.
  
  
• Virtual reality fitness apps – VR technology allows users to immerse themselves in engaging virtual environments. Imagine running and jumping through a rainforest from the comfort of your home. This technology can transform a mundane exercise routine into an exciting adventure.
  
  
• AI personal trainers – Artificial intelligence is invading all facets of our lives, and fitness training is no exception. This technology can provide personalized workout plans, analyze user performance, and adjust exercise routines based on progress and goals.
  
  
• Smart home fitness equipment – Brands like Peloton and Tonal have pioneered technology that allows users to work out at home while participating in real-time with a remote trainer or via recorded sessions. The technology can provide immediate performance feedback and connectivity with other users.
  
  
• Bluetooth headphones – Perhaps the most accessible (and least expensive) technology for making exercise more fun is Bluetooth headphones. Whether listening to music or an audiobook, an otherwise tedious exercise session can feel almost effortless. When using stationary equipment like a treadmill or exercise bike, watching video content on a tablet or other screen can serve as a multimedia distraction.
  
  

Exercise isn't one-size-fits-all. Some things you'll like, some you won’t. The point is to find something that feels good enough to keep doing. Maybe it’s slow, maybe it’s silly—who cares. If it gets you moving and fits into your life without too much hassle, that’s a win.

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