We lead very sedentary lives nowadays. According to PT in Motion News, 80 percent of Americans aren’t meeting physical activity guidelines set forth by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Finding the time or the motivation to exercise is difficult for many people. However, maintaining a high level of physical activity can give you a longer life and also improve the overall quality of it as well.
The key to getting in more physical activity is to find something fun that you enjoy doing and that also fits your current fitness level. The following are five fun activities that can be adapted to fit almost any fitness level!
1. Get your hands dirty in the garden.
You might not think so, but planting, hoeing with a hand spade, and regularly watering your plants can provide a moderate level of activity.
Whether you live in the country or an urban area, there are opportunities to enjoy gardening. Container gardening is an easy way to grow flowers and vegetables almost anywhere. Four or five medium-sized containers on the patio are enough to grow several items. If you don’t want to grow herbs or tend seasonal flowers, you could also take up houseplants!
Repotting, arranging, and watering houseplants can give you some much-needed physical activity, especially if you live in a climate where your plants need to be watered regularly.
2. Start swimming laps!
The best way to get started with swimming if you don’t own a pool, is to sign up for a class at your local YMCA or fitness club. There are several different swimming strokes to learn. The backstroke is one of the easiest to do. Whether you’re swimming laps, floating, or tossing around a volleyball or pool noodle with a friend, swimming is a fun yet healthy activity. If you have access to a private pool, for both accountability and safety reasons, make sure to swim with a partner. Swimming is low impact, easy on the joints, and provides a good cardio workout.
3. Row, row, row…your machine!
Learning to use a rowing machine is relatively easy. It’s also low impact while offering high calorie-burning potential. Healthline states, “Rowing machines, also known as ergometers or ergs, use up to 86 percent of your muscles. This, in turn, helps endurance, strengthens, and tones the muscles. Rowing even provides some surprising benefits for your heart and lungs.”
The treadmill and the stationary bike may be more popular, but the rowing machine is a great way to get a good workout even if you’re not in the best physical shape. The great thing about the rowing machine is that you can do it while sitting down!
4. Grab a dancing partner.
There are several different types and levels of dancing to choose from. Everything from ballroom to ballet are fun activities that people at different fitness levels can take part in and enjoy. Depending on your weight and how strenuously you’re able to dance, you’ll be able to burn approximately 200 to 300 calories during half an hour of dancing!
You can take dancing lessons or join a group that gets together to dance on a regular basis. If you don’t want to make the commitment or spend the money taking classes, listening to your favorite music while dancing with some headphones on your own is a fantastic way to get moving and burn calories.
5. Give physical therapy a try.
Physical therapy is not only useful for people recovering from an injury or surgical procedure, you know.
Physical therapists are movement specialists who offer safe and natural ways of healing, as well as ways to improve your overall level of fitness so that you can enjoy physical activites in the first place!
A physical therapist can evaluate your current physical condition and assess your fitness level. Whether you’re currently moving with assistance or you’re a serious athlete, physical therapy can help you increase your fitness level, reduce your chance of injury, and eliminate pain from sore muscles.
They can teach you the proper techniques for warming up before your chosen activity and the best post-workout stretches for an effective cooldown. A physical therapy program can increase your fitness level and help you make the most of your favorite activities.
Are you ready to start feeling your best?
If you’re interested in finding new ways to get more physical activity in your life, these are some foolproof options that are sure to get your heart pumping. If you’re having problems doing the things you love due to pain and movement restrictions, it might just be time for a tune-up!
To learn more about physical therapy and how it can make your hobbies easier and more comfortable for you to do, contact our clinic today to schedule an appointment.
Source:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-rowing-machine
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18379224-physiological-and-performance-effects-of-low-versus-mixed-intensity-rowing-training/
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