If you have walked into a bustling gym and felt out of place, then you’re not alone. The gym can often be an uncomfortable experience for a variety of reasons. Whether you’ve never used the equipment before, or you’re a first-timer in a group fitness class, or you experience stigma in a gym setting because of your size, gender, or ethnicity, the gym can be intimidating.

Not everyone enjoys feeling the burn of an AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) or an EMOM (every minute, on the minute) session. Even with more “niche” gyms gaining popularity, you might not jibe with the pre-workout and protein powder-filled weight-lifting environment; or you might realize the local spin studio isn’t as fun for you as you thought it would be. 

But not enjoying a gym-based workout doesn’t mean you can’t get moving in other ways! 

Maybe you prefer workouts where you can turn your music up to full blast and get your sweat on in the comfort of your own home. Maybe you’re an outdoor enthusiast, excited to try out a new hiking trail. Maybe you’re coming back from an injury and need to take things slower during your recovery. Whatever the case, focusing on the mindful movement that suits you is a valuable way to be confident in your physical achievements. 

Take inspiration from Intuitive Eating, an innovative fitness program that examines how we can shift our mindset on diet, exercise, and fitness to make peace with our bodies. 

The ninth principle of Intuitive Eating is called “Movement: Feel the Difference.” The idea is to stop focusing on the calorie-burning effect of exercise and start exploring how it feels just to move in your body – in whatever way moving suits you.1 

With that in mind, here are eight non-traditional exercises to help you feel physically fit in your own body and find more opportunities for joyful or mindful movement in the everyday. 

1. Yard work or gardening

Flash back to memories of knocking on neighbors’ doors, asking if you can mow their lawn to fund a childhood shenanigan. Nowadays, you might not be so eager, but pushing a lawnmower through thick grass will surely get your heart pumping and arms burning. Even just getting your hands in the warm soil, planting a new flower bed, or picking weeds is a great way to get outdoors and create something beautiful while working up a sweat. 

2. Dancing

That’s right, dancing. Moving your feet to the beat of the music, no matter how fast or slow, gives you a chance to practice your coordination and artistic expression, all while getting your blood pumping and muscles moving. The great thing about dancing is that the music sets the tempo, so you can move as fast or as slowly as you like by changing up the music to suit your tastes or your age. If you’re looking for easy fitness over 50, then try some gentler movements from slower dancing.

3. Team sports

Even if you’re not the most-skilled person on the team, playing a team sport is a great way to enjoy the company of others while brushing up on your health and sport-related athletic abilities. From adult softball leagues to pickleball doubles, there’s nothing wrong with a little healthy competition.

4. Rollerblading

Lace up your skates and strap on your helmet before you take off down the sidewalk or park path. Rollerblading is a great way to boost lower body strength and work on your balance at the same time. But don’t forget your knee and elbow pads!

5. Golfing

Who says golf is just a hobby? Think of all the steps you take from one hole to the next (plus all the extras if you end up searching for a lost golf ball). Carrying your own golf bag? What better way to get some additional strength and cardio involved in your golf game! And let’s not forget about the core and back muscles involved with each swing.

6. Kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding

These water activities take a lot of core strength to keep you balanced and to drive the paddle through the water. If you experience wind, waves, or current, then these added obstacles engage your arms, back, and core muscles even more, making the activity a significant strength workout, all while getting to enjoy a scenic waterway.

7. Skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing 

If you’re lucky enough to live in an area where snowcapped mountains are abundant during the winter months, then you know how much of a workout the slopes can be on your leg muscles! Maybe you’re not looking to take on a black diamond slope, but even the bunny hills can test the strength of your body and brain to stay upright.

8. Household chores

Let’s be honest, those days when we get into “spring cleaning” mode and tackle cleaning every corner of the house are no joke. Scrubbing bathroom tile, mopping a kitchen floor, and hoisting the vacuum up and down stairs takes a lot of energy! These activities, while maybe not the most joyful or fun in the moment, do get the heart rate up, that’s for sure. Plus, they leave you with the satisfaction of having a clean living space.

Supplement your fitness your way

Fitness and nutrition go hand in hand. Whether you are looking to build your athletic abilities, maintain your mobility as you age, or just weave mindful movements into your daily routine, Thorne has a variety of nutritional supplements that will support your goals. 

To get your body and brain primed and ready to get moving, consider Thorne’s Pre-Workout Elite, with ingredients carefully selected to optimize mental and physical energy.* With a touch of caffeine and a blend of six adaptogenic mushrooms, this citrus berry-flavored pre-workout powder helps you feel alert and capable of adapting to the physical or mental stressors that come your way.*

Keep yourself hydrated with Catalyte®, Thorne’s electrolyte mix designed to fight fatigue and replenish the important minerals in the body that are lost through sweat.* Where popular bottled brands load up on sugar, Catalyte has less than 1 gram of sugar per serving alongside a balanced mix of electrolytes, minerals, and the amino acid taurine. Mix up a glass of this lemon-lime flavored supplement pre-workout, during, or after exercise, and feel good about all you’ve accomplished toward your health and fitness goals. 

For the support your muscles need to power you through your day-to-day activities, RecoveryPro® is a great evening addition.* This amplified whey protein powder provides your muscles the protein they need to repair and rebuild, while the magnesium bisglycinate, PharmaGABA®, and tryptophan promote muscle relaxation and restful sleep.* Research shows that PharmaGABA mixed with a protein powder supports lean muscle mass.* For a tasty treat to sip on, mix RecoveryPro with warm water or milk for a nutrient-dense hot chocolate – you won’t regret it!

For more foundational nutritional support, Super EPA and FloraSport 20B® are excellent go-tos. The omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil in Super EPA promote a normal inflammatory response throughout your muscles and joints and support a healthy heart and brain.* FloraSport 20B’s probiotic blend gives the gut and immune system the support that probiotics are typically known for, with added recovery and inflammatory-response benefits that keep your muscles feeling their best.*

References

  1. 10 principles of intuitive eating. IntuitiveEating.org. https://www.intuitiveeating.org/10-principles-of-intuitive-eating/ [Accessed August 17,2023]