Fun Exercise Tips
There are lots of ways to get physically active. The National Physical Activity Guidelines suggest a minimum level of physical activity for fitness. They recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, preferably all days.1 This is in addition to your everyday activities such as walking around the office or home. You can split the 30 minutes up into three, ten minute sessions if that makes it easier to achieve.
Just as a variety of foods is important, a variety of activities and well balanced fitness program is also important. Enjoying a variety of activities and well balanced exercise program can offer the following benefits:
- Aerobic activity - can benefit the heart, e.g. walking, running, cycling, swimming
- Strength or resistance training - can have a favourable effect on bones, and to shape & tone muscles, e.g. push ups, squats, weights
- Stretching - increases flexibility and can reduce the risk of injury or stiffness, e.g. yoga, pilates, stretching exercises.
Getting started with new habits to get fit is often the hardest part. If you are not used to being very active, check with your doctor before you increase your physical activity levels.
There are Lots of Different Ways to Get Physically Active.
A good way to maintain the habit of doing regular physical activity is to do something you enjoy! Here are some fun exercise tips:
- Walk the dog every day. They'll love you for it. Walking every day is a simple and easy step in the right direction to get fit
- Catch up with friends for fun exercises rather than coffee and cake
- Enjoy outdoor activities and local parks and gardens
- Walk to work — get off the tram or train one stop early
- Take the stairs at least once a day
- Buy a pedometer and track your steps
- For something different, try beach volleyball, yoga or ballroom dancing
- Join a club, recreation group or fitness centre to stay motivated and make new friends and to learn new exercise tips. Why not join with a friend? Or if you want to be outdoors, join a group that exercises in a park
- Go for a Sunday afternoon bike ride
- Take the whole family to the pool for a swim.
It doesn't matter how you fit activity into your life as long as you enjoy it regularly.
1 http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/phy-activity