I’ve heard it time and time again, and I’m sure you’ve even said it yourself, sometimes working out is just not fun. When you hear “workout” you probably don’t think “fun” right away. But in my experience getting your sweat on can be fun and enjoyable, you just have to find the right activity. That’s where I come in. As a trainer, it’s a part of my job to be sure my clients meet their goals. I am always re-evaluating their routine to make it more effective and more fun. Boredom is one of the main reasons why people skip out on their exercise routine. Yes, laziness and time constraints also get in the way, but boredom is a big factor and can easily be resolved. Check out some of the ways you can solve that problem and make your fitness more fun:

1. Get your dance on!

We all love to dance right? (And if you don’t then, feel free to move on down the list…) Line dancing, salsa, African dancing, hip-hop, tap dancing, break dancing…If you ask me, dancing always makes a workout more fun. A good beat and some fun moves make me happy. Great dance fitness classes like Zumba have spread like wildfire and folks everywhere are getting in on the excitement. If you want to find a class in your area, click here to see where you might find one. My personal favorite dance workout right now HAS to be  Beyoncé’s “Move Your Body” video which debuted in May. It’s so fun and great for folks who don’t have a gym membership. I probably workout with this video at least once a week!

They are jammin' y'all!

2. Play some video games!

Dance Dance Revolution, Wii Fit, Just Dance 1 & 2, EA Sports Active, The Michael Jackson Experience, Jillian Michael’s Fitness Ultimatum…and the list goes on! Getting your exercise in video game style is a great way to make your fitness more fun. Most times, you don’t realize you’re working out. As long as you’re moving, you’re burning calories and getting your heart rate up and that’s better than just sitting around!

3. Workout with a partner!

Sometimes getting your sweat on and pushing through a workout can be much harder when you do it alone. For some folks, their workout time is also “me” time, which I totally understand. But sometimes, having that extra push from a good friend can make it much easier to get through. You can even put together a workout that requires two people to complete. Or… shake it up by making a bet or a starting a vacation fund. Every time you or your friend workout, take a class, go out for a run, etc. add a pre-determined amount of money to a jar (or account, if you want to get fancy). After a few months, take that money and your bangin’ new bodies and take a trip somewhere beautiful!

4. Play with your kids!

You’d be surprised how much moving and calorie-burning you can do when you’re playing with kids. And I don’t mean playing a video game (unless it’s an active and engaging one). Horse-back rides, games of tag, hide and seek, Red Light Green Light, Red Rover, flag football, basketball, soccer. Teach your kids or young family members some of the games you played as a child. Go bike-riding. Play double-dutch (my favorite!). Be a great example to the children in your family. Believe me, they’re watching.

5. Pole Dancing anyone?

The first few times I’d heard about pole-dancing classes, I turned up my nose and proudly declared that I did NOT want to train to be a stripper. But…after some serious coercing, I went. And…boy, was I missing out on some serious fun! I took the class here in Chicago at Flirty Girl Fitness and was blown away by how much I was sweating. It is truly a workout. Every time someone asks me have I ever taken a pole-dancing class, my response is always, “Yes, and it was SO FUN!” It’s an awesome way to tone just about every muscle you can think of and is especially great for your abs and core. Climbing up on that pole takes some serious core strength. Because it’s becoming so popular, there are pole fitness classes popping up everywhere. Check to see if there are classes offered in your city.

It's so much fun! And a great way to spice things up!

6. Box it out!

I’ve been a fan of boxing since I became addicted to watching the “Rocky” series. And nothing says stress relief like punching something with all your might. Boxing is a great workout and is full of calorie-blasting potential. Check to see if your city has some free classes at your local boxing club. Kick-boxing classes are also a fun and exciting way to change up your workout.

7. Roll… Bounce… Skate!

Yup! Skating is another one of those hidden workouts that gets you moving, exercising and having fun. I’m even considering dusting off my roller skates and using them as my transportation to and from work. Skating utilizes your leg muscles with are the largest muscles in your body. The more those large muscles have to work, the more calories you burn and the better your workout. So…get rollin!

8. A little competition never hurt anyone!

This might be a 5K, 10K or marathon, a cancer walk, a triathlon, or a racquetball tournament. The only thing that matters is that it is realistic for your fitness level or you will get discouraged and never show up to compete! Having something to shoot for gives your daily training more importance and a sense of urgency which keeps it exciting!

9. Join a team!

When I lived in Delaware, I joined a co-ed basketball team that played on Thursday nights and a co-ed dodgeball team that also played once a week. (Yup, dodgeball.) I had the best time and made some awesome friendships while getting a very good workout in. It was worth it to feed my competitive spirit and work toward the goal of winning and scoring points. Get out there and meet some new people while playing one of your favorite sports!

Your workout doesn’t have to be grueling and unbearable. It should be challenging, but not impossible. If going to the gym and doing the same mundane workout makes you cringe, find a new and fun way to get your workout in. I hope this list helps you get back on track or that you found some new ideas.

What are some ways you’ve found that incorporate fun into your fitness?

Be Renewed