New term, new you? Great! Here are some ideas for getting fit, without slimming your funds too much while you’re at it…
ACTIVITY
The key to all of these tips is finding ways to keep active as part of your daily life. If you’re moving, you’re exercising. If you’re sitting still and eating crisps, you’re not (no – not even those ‘healthy’ crisps).
BOXING
This is great for aerobic and muscular fitness, and you don’t have to join a gym to do it. Just get a punch bag and some gloves, and beat the hell out of it.
CYCLING
What could be better? Cycling to work or college, passing all the
frustrated drivers in the traffic jam and knowing that you’re getting an eco-friendly workout. Feel our thigh – go on… it’s rock hard.
DANCING
Great isn’t it? And it’s exercise! You’re working all of your muscles in a low-impact way
(depending how you dance!) and exercising your heart wonderfully.
EASY
Don’t forget the simple things that you can do at home: press-ups, sit-ups, chinups,
squats, star jumps, running on the spot etc. It’s all free and requires no equipment.
FLEXIBILITY
Simple stretching is great for you. Touching toes, flexing your back, twisting the
torso… Cats do it all the time – and they can jump up walls five times their height (etc.
does not promise you will do this)
GRIPPING
Right, you’re on a long bus journey. You can’t do any exercise here, right? Wrong. You could be clenching a foam ball in your hand to strengthen tendons in your wrist and forearm. Fear that handshake!
HABIT
Exercise can be boring, so the best way to do it is to incorporate it into your daily routine rather than making special time for it. Cycle to college or grip that ball on the bus, then avoid using the lift when you arrive. Your everyday life becomes exercise.
INTEREST
There are so many forms of exercise that you should be able to choose one or two that you like. Dance if you like dancing, or get out on your bike. If it’s boring, ditch it.
JUMPING (ROPE)
Wait, isn’t that what little girls do in the playground? Skipping? Tell that to Mohammed Ali, or any of the other great boxers, who know that jumping rope is a fantastic way to exercise arms, legs, heart and lungs anytime and anywhere.
KNOWLEDGE
You need to know what you’re doing before you begin. Learn something about your chosen activity before you start, and you’ll avoid accident or injury later.
LIFTING
Some dumbbells and some free weights will allow you to exercise most muscle groups in the privacy of your own room. Start out slowly and don’t overstretch yourself, and soon you’ll look like a stocking full of walnuts (if you want to).
MARTIAL ARTS
Ever seen Bruce Lee or Tony Jaa fight? It’s more like ballet than violence, and the martial artist is among the fastest, fittest, most flexible sportsmen. And it’s always handy
for self-defence.
NUMBERS
It’s easy to get obsessed about how many minutes / reps / weights you’ve done. But then there’s no pleasure in it and exercising has become a chore. Do it to feel good. That’s enough.
OCEAN
Not everyone lives by the sea, but those who do have a very big and free swimming pool. Too cold, you say? A wetsuit will sort that out. Keep it up regularly and you’ll have the physique of a Greek god or goddess.
PARKOUR
No doubt you’ve seen this amazing activity on TV or in films (Casino Royale). It’s the art of moving quickly across a town by leaping, swinging, grabbing and running. Take care, though! It takes some practice.
www.le-parkour.com
QUITTING
The problem most people have with regular exercise is that they give up because of
time restraints or boredom and then feel guilty. Avoid this by chopping and changing, to keep things interesting.
RUNNING
1) Strap on shoes. 2)Open door. 3) Run. There’s nothing simpler. The streets areyour gym. Get some good shoes and your joints will love you.
SKATING
It might be a board, or it might be skates on your feet, but it’s a great way to get out and about while stretching your muscles and working your heart. Plus, it’s faster than walking
TREKKING
It’s a hilly place, Britain, and there are forests and moors everywhere. Get into the
wilds – those hills will get you burning calories and you’ll come home all rosy-cheeked.
UPSTAIRS
Ah, yes. The place we visit in the lift. No! That’s the place you visit on the
staircase. Use the stairs every time you have the chance and you’ll have buns (and a heart) of steel.
VOLUNTEERING
Ever planted a tree? It’s hard work digging the hole and lowering in the young tree. Same story with building drystone walls, or cleaning up litter, or reclaiming an old canal. All of
these things help you to help others and to help yourself get fitter.
WALKING
There’s really no excuse. If you live within 30 minutes’ walk of the shops, or college,
or your mates’ – you should be walking it. It’s the simplest form of exercise; step to it!
X-RAY
Hopefully you won’t need one of these. Whenever you feel that you’re injured, take a break for a few days until the pain goes away. Being healthy isn’t only about activity – inactivity is equally important.
YOGA
Don’t fancy a run round the block in the pouring rain? Yoga stretches muscles and tendons to keep you flexible and healthy – which is great if you’ve spent the day sitting in a class or looking at a computer screen.
ZZZZZZZZ
Tired after all that exercise? Then get some sleep. It’s almost as good for you as jogging round the park or cycling up a hill. Only easier.
By the way...
etc. loves you and wants you to be healthy and happy. But we’re not personal trainers (despite our toned physiques), so make sure you get the right advice – from a GP or health pro – before taking up any sport.
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