True Life: Not Everyone Loves Running

ITS FRIDAY! I swear, Fridays never get old. :)

Hopefully the title of this post shocked you as much as it did me. ;) teehee, just kidding! I found out a few years ago (but probably not before then) that not everyone loves running. Or even likes it. Some even loathe it. It sounded like a bum deal to me, but I consoled myself, reasoning that they at least enjoyed walking to do the body some good. But that wasn't true either (ahhh, the naive ideas of being a newbie to personal training). Walking, even power walking, isn't thrilling enough for some people. Others don't like being inside on a machine to get their exercise. I get that. Others tremble with fear at the thought of spin class or sweating it out in hot yoga. So what's one to do if running, walking, ellipticalling, and the other main forms of exercise we may consider "normal" don't appeal to them? One finds a list of alternatives! I just so happen to have one. ;) These are all great options for getting your heart rate up, blood pumping, and muscles working like they need to sometimes! Plus, some are totally free and others require hardly any investment.

1. Rollerblading
• Throwback to third grade, right? But its actually a great workout and its super fun. Just watch those cracks in the sidwalk! Investment? A pair of blades (hit up Play It Again Sports perhaps).
2. Playing tennis
• You don't have to be good at tennis to play! Just position yourself a few courts away from the guy practicing his power serve and start practicing your own. Investment: a racket and a few tennis balls (again, Play It Again usually has all this stuff!).
3. Playing frisbee golf (aka disc golf)
• This is a blast, too! Courses are free (at least in the cities I've played in!) and you can pick up discs for $5.00 each at Play It Again. The courses are often hilly so you get to hike around while chucking your disc at the basket! Investment: $5-$10
4. Kayaking 
• Summer is perfect for renting a kayak at your local lake/beach/ocean and paddling around for an hour! Its an awesome core and arms workout, too and rentals aren't usually too spendy! 
5. Playing volleyball



(http://avcavolleyball.blogspot.com/2011/01/volleyball-and-ncaa-legislation.html)

• Sand volleyball, anyone? Jumping around in the sand is a great workout, but even non-sand volleyball is effective! Many places have leagues or check your local parks and beaches for free courts. Investment: a cheap volleyball!
6. Destination bike ride
• Sometimes we make exercise too lame. "I'm going to run for 40 minutes and that's that!" If you're biking to a park to meet friends and grill, you're not even thinking about the exercise part! Pick a destination with something fun to do rather than a goal of mileage or time.
7. Babysit.
• That's right! Watching a child/grandchild/neighbor kid for a few hours almost always ends up providing some exercise (unless they park it in front of the tv). Play tag, swing on the monkey bars with them, join the rest of the neighbor kids for some capture the flag. It isn't just about doing the "best" exercise for your biceps or getting in 5 miles, you should enjoy yourself while you exercise! Oops, starting to preach; my bad! :)

Those are some to get you started; let me know if you want more ideas! I'm always brainstorming new activities; even I don't always want to just run! ;) 

Have an amazing start to your weekend! Until next time. :)

--KQ