https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 03 May 2026 00:57:38 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym/page/2#post-287280 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:27:24 +0000 SW Ann 287280@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My hubby and I walk every morning (in our neighborhood) before the crack of dawn. Been doing this for 20+ years, and it keeps me in shape. Fast paced--about 4 mph. Also, I weight lift in my own home, and have also been doing this for 20+ years, gradually working up with dumbbells from 2# to start, and now lift 15# pairs. . Have tried yoga, and like it but currently no classes near me. Incorporated stretches I learned in yoga into my weightlifting. I don't like gyms at all--I'm intimidated by the trainers and all the form fitting outfits, and well, I don't like being around other's sweat (is that weird??) Also don't like the pressure many facilities try to put on me..... That's why I had to find a way to get in shape and stay in shape on my own terms. Good luck finding what will work for you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym/page/2#post-287211 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:15:17 +0000 Kristen 287211@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What kind of sports/games did you like to play as a kid? Find the grown-up equivalent.</p> <p>If you were a tree-climber, try rock climbing.<br /> If you liked hopscotch, try aerobics, Wii Fit, etc.<br /> If you liked soccer or softball, try an adult league.<br /> If you liked swimming, swim. Biking, bike. Running, run.<br /> And do forth. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym/page/2#post-287209 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:05:54 +0000 yublocka 287209@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another ex-gymmer here. I haven't been regurlarly for over 2 years. Instead I've been running outside, walking, bike riding and swimming (outdoor pool mainly). Recently I've joined up with outdoor group training exercises (<a>Step into Life</a> for any of the Aussies who have heard of it).</p> <p>I find it more difficult in winter when its cold and dark. I did bikram yoga some days, but my exercise really was a bit all over the place. We'll see what happens this year. Am enjoying the lovely long days at the moment, that's for sure! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym/page/2#post-287138 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 06:31:12 +0000 Lena 287138@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>AJ, I've heard good things about the Wii - for example their balance exercises. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym/page/2#post-286600 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 20:23:10 +0000 Steph 286600@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>These are great ideas. I do go to the gym, but I also find it boring and repetitive. Have you considered joining a sports team? Maybe something like soccer, where you will get a lot of aerobic work in? </p> <p>Maya, I don't think it's strange that you never go to the gym. I only started doing so a few years ago and really had no interest in ever starting. I just realized that I was not physically fit, and it also helps me to keep my weight down. My exercise every day consisted of a 15 minute walk to and from work, and that just wasn't enough for me to control my weight. I have found that I need serious aerobic exercise (sweating, labored breathing) to keep up my fitness level, so to the gym it was. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym/page/2#post-286558 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:15:06 +0000 Ornella 286558@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a load of fun ideas I haven't thought of... thanks for sharing ladies. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym/page/2#post-286009 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 22:11:57 +0000 AJ 286009@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Admittedly, I'm not much of an exerciser. For Christmas, hubby bought me Wii Fit. So fun and I try to do 30 minutes a day. It's interesting doing the yoga exercises with the WII board because it shows you how you are distributing your weight. I can't get that kind of feedback from a typical yoga class/video.</p> <p>The boxing game actually makes me sweat! : ) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym/page/2#post-285937 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 20:53:41 +0000 medusa 285937@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Crossfit is awesome. The first time I deadlifted over 200 pounds I was super excited. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym/page/2#post-285914 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 19:51:17 +0000 Sarah 285914@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mary, I've been going for almost three months and I still get nervous every night. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym/page/2#post-285911 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 19:43:47 +0000 RoseandJoan 285911@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another avid walker here, I meet up with my girlfriends on a Friday evening and we walk for about ten miles. As we are all MOTG's it nice to socialise and exercise at the same time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym/page/2#post-285906 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 19:22:06 +0000 MsMary 285906@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sarah, my hubby and I are going to check out our local Crossfit this Saturday. I'm excited but very nervous!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym/page/2#post-285819 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:31:13 +0000 Sarah 285819@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I joined the cult that is Crossfit in November, and I haven't been the same since.<br /> I've done everything before. Typical gym, videos at home, running, you name it.<br /> I worked for HOURS a day and never got the results I thought I should have.<br /> So out of desperation I joined Crossfit. Besides absolutely loving it, I've learned that it's not how long I work, but how hard I work. My workouts range from 5 to 30 minutes at the very max (the average is around 10 minutes), but I'm reaching maximum effort the entire time.<br /> My body has already changed drastically, and it's so refreshing to finally love what I'm doing. I row, olympic lift, do pullups, rope climbs, etc, all under the care of qualified coaches and in competition with myself and my peers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym/page/2#post-285815 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:23:01 +0000 Velma 285815@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I skate--a lot! Now that I am coaching roller derby and no longer playing, it is very low-impact. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym/page/2#post-285812 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:19:16 +0000 Kate 285812@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Walking, running, and a whole bunch of at home exercises. These include:</p> <p>Chin ups<br /> Pushups<br /> Squats<br /> a variety of crunches<br /> a variety of stretches<br /> Knee lifts<br /> Arm circles<br /> Side leg raising<br /> leg drops</p> <p>I try to add something every week. I'll be adding: </p> <p>front plank<br /> side plank<br /> reverse plank<br /> pull ups<br /> hanging knee raises<br /> wall sit<br /> superwoman<br /> front plank with leg lifts<br /> side plank with leg lifts </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym/page/2#post-285801 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:01:57 +0000 LeahJanes 285801@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh man, the stuff I do.</p> <p>I swim (both in the pool and in the ocean), I hike on the weekends, I ride my little xootr scooter around town, I do sets of hill sprints, I snowboard (badly), I go to the park with little kids and play tag with them, I skip the bus and walk the 45 minutes to work, I carry my groceries home by hand, I jump rope. I'm addicted to exercise This is only a recent development too - I really love being stronger and fitter and I am by no means in peak condition, but I love doing this stuff anyway. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym/page/2#post-285720 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 09:33:01 +0000 Louise 285720@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another non excersiser here. I walk to and from work each day 15mins either way x </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym#post-285705 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 07:19:07 +0000 Kari 285705@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do go to the gym, but I also like the following:<br /> * Running on trails. There are some great trails where I live. Unfortunately, where I live it's also very dark during this part of the year, and quite rainy. I prefer to run outside during spring or summer, and don't think it's a smart idea to run after dark (which is about 4:30 or 5 PM now.)<br /> * Biking on trails. I'm not the best biker and am just starting to get comfortable on my bike, but it's fun. There's a great bike trail that heads up to some wineries nearby. My family and I biked up there this summer and did a tasting in our bike gear. I thought about biking to work regularly since I live close by, but decided I really didn't want to deal with traffic and skinny/nonexistent shoulders on the road.<br /> * Hiking - moderate day hikes, and again just during fair weather, but very fun and a good social activity.<br /> * Scottish Country Dance. Very fun, and quite an aerobic workout.</p> <p>One of my friends has really got into Zumba lately, and there are classes all over and not just exclusively at the gym. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym#post-285700 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 06:58:45 +0000 anne 285700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I ama bit surprised no one has mentioned using a Wii Fit.</p> <p>I don't personally have one but they are all the rage among my friends here in Aus!</p> <p>I don't have any new suggestions from my personal experience as I am able to run and do like going to the gym. I have recently changed to a new one which (unlike my previous one) has a creche, a swimming pool and classes. Like Khris I prefer the classes - they work me harder than I would on my own - but do my own thing sometimes if the class schedule doesn't work for me </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym#post-285697 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 06:52:02 +0000 Lena 285697@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used to go to the univ.gym, but stopped for various reasons. </p> <p>I walk a lot. I love to climb hills, and we have a lot of those. Unfortunately you need to get back down in order to climb up - I wish there were a reverse chair lift like for downhill skiing (to take you down, not up). </p> <p>I do floor exercises at home. However it's always a struggle because it's very tempting to give it up for reading or internet and etc. </p> <p>I also really like Pilates. It does wonders to save my back and posture, I think. It also teaches you a lot about your body. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym#post-285644 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 04:17:02 +0000 Anonymous 285644@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've found that Curves works well for me. It's not really a gym but you do a circuit of machines for 30 minutes and can add stretching for a few more minutes. It works better for me than just fast walking and I usually can work it into my day pretty easily. It's located only 5 minutes away, so that's a big help. I've improved bone mass, cut % body fat, and feel so much better when going reguarly. It's also social time as I see many women from other parts of my life plus make new friends. Ours has women from 14 to 84 years or more. It has recently added Zumba on certain days, which sounds like a fun workout and a change.<br /> I also use a treadmill at home while watching TV or listening to a book on tape. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym#post-285639 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 04:09:49 +0000 mamaKate 285639@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm actually surprised I haven't seen it mentioned yet, but cycling is one of my all-time favorite forms of exercise. Granted, you will need to supplement it with something else in order to maintain / build build bone mass, but the upside is that it's easy on the joints. </p> <p>You can get a really good road bicycle second-hand, and then as long as you get it properly fitted (adjusted) to your body measurements (length of thigh, etc.), and get a proper seat with cut-outs where you need "breathing room," you can be comfortable even for the longest rides. </p> <p>I love the feeling of freedom I get when I'm out on my bike, and as a bonus there are a number of different workout styles you can accomplish - from a long-duration, fat-burning low-intensity ride on the flats, to heart-pounding intervals, to muscle-building hills, and more. Just be safe around the cars, follow the rules of the road, and always wear a properly-fitted helmet!</p> <p>Enclosed photo is from a hilly century that I rode with several friends. I am on the left, and on the right is a former co-worker and old-school racer who kept me company on the hills. We are smiling so big because it's only km 20 (of 100). In the background is a view of the beautiful Oakland hills. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym#post-285638 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 04:09:16 +0000 Desmo April 285638@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hula hooping!!</p> <p>I also walk a lot too but the hoop is seriously fun. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym#post-285636 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 04:08:02 +0000 Maya 285636@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I get lots of physical activity just from my existence. I guess what I mean is that I don't go out of my way to exercise. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym#post-285634 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 04:04:38 +0000 anne 285634@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya - you do walk a lot in your daily routine, don't you? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym#post-285631 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 03:58:38 +0000 Maya 285631@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I never exercise. Is that weird? I have never even set foot into a gym before and never intend to. It sounds like a torture chamber. </p> <p>I guess I prefer to create my own exercise. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym#post-285625 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 03:49:34 +0000 Marley 285625@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am a former runner, swimmer and weight lifter - but due to an injury about 7 years ago, I had to completely give up the running and can only do limited swimming and weight lifting. So . . . I took up walking. The town that I live in has lots of hills and so I get a major workout just walking around town. We also have a beach trail that has various sets of steps that go straight up the sides of cliffs - so I do a combination of walking and going up and down the steps. An absolute killer of a work-out! Last week, I went to a stretching class for woman dealing with physical illnesses (I'm not sick - I was just actually taking pictures, but I participated in the class too) and the stretching and breathing were marvelous - I felt great afterwards! I think that the more you can mix up your exercise activities, the better off you are! Have fun trying new things! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym#post-285599 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 03:10:33 +0000 annagybe 285599@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Walking, hiking and downhill skiing. Walking is my main form of exercise. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym#post-285593 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 03:02:42 +0000 chewyspaghetti 285593@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do go to the gym, but I don't use the weights/machines. I take classes there, and I want to start swimming soon. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym#post-285552 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 02:32:43 +0000 qfbrenda 285552@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love working out to workout videos. <a href="http://videofitness.com/" rel="nofollow">http://videofitness.com/</a> is a great site with tons of reviews and suggestions for what videos are good and which ones to avoid. I much prefer lifting weights as the person on TV tells me to, rather than counting reps with weights at a gym. Besides that, they have check-ins where you can post your workouts for the week. That is great for accountability.</p> <p>I also want to add a treadmill that folds up to the house. I walk outside whenever I can, but we get ~55 inches of rain a year (I live about 30 min. as the crow flies from Angie) so walking outside is not always fun. LOL</p> <p>The big thing is finding whatever you love to do. If you loved swimming as a kind, then maybe a local YMCA would be good for you. If running is too hard on you, walking is a great alternative. Even things like taking the stairs instead of the elevator and parking a long ways from stores adds up over time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/healthy-habits-what-are-your-alternatives-to-the-gym#post-285549 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 02:30:12 +0000 Megan 285549@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have actually just gone back to the gym as I found that incidental exercise + walking wasn't cutting it to build bone mass (something those who are a still in their 20's and those who are in their late 40s-50s need to be conscious of). </p> <p>I broke my wrist a couple of years ago and the surgeon told me I had osteopenic bones (the precursor to osteoperosis) which is likely because of an illness I had as a teen. </p> <p>I had an Xray to check my bone density recently and it's not much better- so back to the gym for as much weight bearing exercise as possible. </p>