Published on September 14, 2017
Hate the gym?
Alyssa Monson, Registered Dietitian
CentraCare Weight Management
The thought of 30 minutes on a treadmill or lifting weights got you down? Check out these alternatives.
Full disclosure — some will require you to step foot into a fitness center.
- Water aerobics: Water is denser than air so any movements you do in air are harder in water (think jogging in place, arm circles etc.), which is why water aerobics can burn 400+ calories per hour. Water also helps to decrease impact, making it more joint friendly.
- Yardwork: Ever feel sore after your weekend doing yardwork? That’s because, depending on intensity, yard work can burn 250-500 calories per hour.
- Hula hoop: Go back to your grade school days and burn 400+ calories per hour.
- Dance like nobody’s watching: Turn your kitchen or living room in to a dance floor. Crank up the tunes and use your mixing spoon as a microphone while cooking dinner. Dancing can burn up to 400 calories per hour!
- Clean your house: Depending on the task, you can burn up to 60 calories per hour making your home shine.
- Use your commute: Bike, walk, run or rollerblade to work. Save gas money and get your workout in at the same time. These activities can burn 300-700 calories per hour
- Join a league: Get competitive and join a sports league. There are many great offerings throughout the area including pickle ball, racquet ball, and basketball. Calories burned will depend on intensity and which activity you choose.
