Often, we see exercise as formal workouts in the gym that include intensive activities and weights. While these types of workouts are great if you’re looking to achieve a big fitness or weight loss goal, it’s not always necessary if you just want to get fit and stay in shape. Gyms are often crowded and very expensive and not always the ideal place to work out. If you’re looking to work on your general health and fitness this year, try these 7 alternative ways to exercise in 2020.

Get in shape without joining the gym in 2020

Join a sports team

If you’re passionate about sport, why not join your local sports club? Not only will you get some exercise for a small fee every month, but you will also make new friends and have plenty of fun. Most cities and larger towns have at least a rugby, netball or soccer club and their details can easily be found online.

Go for a few swings on the tennis court

According to WebMD’s research, playing tennis is an excellent total-body workout. If there isn’t a tennis court close to your home, you can ask a friend to join you in an open field or in a park for a few rounds. Even if you have never played tennis before, you can start by lightly hitting the ball between two people. As soon as you’re more confident, you can implement tennis’ set rules.

Find a public swimming pool

Swimming is one of the best ways to stay fit because it exercises the entire body. It’s easy to find a public swimming pool near you on Google Maps. Once you’ve located the perfect facility, contact them to find out if they charge a certain rate and whether they have a specific swimsuit dress code. When you are sorted with the right swimwear, you can work out a small swimming plan for yourself; start with a few laps and increase it as you get more confident.

Invest in a home gym

If you have a full schedule and struggle to make time to get out of the house, invest in a home gym. A home gym may seem expensive, but it shouldn’t be; if you browse around latestspecials.co.za you will see that popular stores such as Game and Makro often have amazing deals on sports and fitness equipment. If you buy one piece of equipment every month, you’ll have a full gym by the middle of the year!

Follow exercise videos online

There are thousands of high-quality fitness and exercise videos online. If you have a good WiFi connection, simply browse around and find a video series that suits your exercise needs. CNET offers a list of the best free online video channels for getting in shape for free. Find your ideal channel and start today.

Download an app

Today, there is an app for everything, including your exercise and fitness needs! A simple search on the internet will give you the best fitness apps for 2020. You can scroll these and find an app that suits your specific fitness requirements. Most of these apps offer easy exercises that can be done almost everywhere. Want to target a certain area of your body? There are also different apps for different types of exercises and different body parts, so decide beforehand what your goals are. Remember: Not all mobile apps are free, so have a look at the prices before you buy.

Use the environment as a gym

If you’re not quite ready to spend any money on fitness-related activities, the best way to get some exercise is to use the environment around you; live in an apartment building? Use the stairs; stay near a park? Take the dog for a run! There are hundreds of creative ways you can use what is around you to get a solid, absolutely free workout.

Everyone is different when it comes to exercise preferences and fitness goals. Some people enjoy going to the gym, while others want to work on their fitness levels from the comfort of their homes. No matter what you prefer, there are numerous ways to exercise and get into shape. Try a few of these methods and choose one that works for you. Soon you’ll be enjoying your workout and it won’t feel like exercise at all.

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