In this busy world, it can be tough to find time to break a sweet. After all, you’ve got work, kids, errands, and by the time the day’s over, you’re too exhausted to move let alone do a bicep curl. However, there are sneaky ways to fit exercise into your day without even realizing it, and you don’t have to go to a gym to make it happen!
Here are 14 sneaky ways to fit exercise into your day, boosting your health without overwhelming your schedule.
1. Walk and Talk
Instead of sitting down for phone calls, make it a habit to walk while you talk. This not only helps you get your steps in but also makes your conversation more dynamic. You’ll be surprised by how much you’ll get done, all while getting in a good workout.
2. Drop and Squat
Finding sneaky ways to exercise is all about using your spare moments wisely. For instance, drop down and do a set of squats while you wait for the microwave to heat up your food. You can also squat while brushing your teeth or folding the laundry.
3. Take the Stairs
Skip the elevator and take the stairs whenever you can. Climbing stairs is an excellent way to strengthen your leg muscles, and it’s also a sneaky way to fit in cardio.
4. Deskercise
According to a recent survey, 61% of office workers don’t regularly exercise. Get into the habit of working out by doing simple exercises at work. Seated leg lifts, desk push-ups, and chair squats are all great ways to get your heart pumping.
5. Park Further Away
When running errands, choose parking spots that are further away from the door. This is an especially great fitness hack at the grocery store since pushing a heavy cart exercises your shoulders and forearms.
6. Use Your Lunch Break
Some companies give their employees 30 minutes to an hour to eat lunch. Use half that time for your meal, and the other half to squeeze in a quick workout. Fifteen minutes is plenty of time to go for a walk, or do three sets of push-ups.
7. Walk and Read
While it may seem silly at first, you can read a novel while pacing back and forth. Go outside and do this in your yard at a slow pace, or do a circuit in your living room. Some hardcover books can even offer you a good arm workout.
8. Active Meetings
Nobody wants to sit in a stuffy boardroom on a beautiful day! Suggest a walking meeting to get everyone up and moving. Surprisingly, active meetings can boost creativity, which makes them excellent for brainstorming sessions.
9. Household Chores
Turn household chores into a workout session. Activities like vacuuming, gardening, or even cleaning windows can be great sources of fitness. Put on an energizing playlist, and work up a sweat while you clean your house.
10. Mix It Up With Friends
Catching up with friends is always exciting, but rather than meeting up for coffee or dinner, suggest something active you can do together instead. Mini golf, hiking, yoga classes, and salsa lessons are all fun activities you can do with friends.
11. Workout While Watching TV
This season of The Bachelor is really intense, but do you really have to watch with all of your attention? Get off the couch and use TV time to fit in short exercise bursts like jumping jacks, sit-ups, or planks.
12. Public Transport Exercises
If you use public transport, get off a stop early and walk the rest of the way. It’s an easy way to sneak in more steps as long as you have the time to get where you need to go.
13. Wake Up 10 Minutes Earlier
Maybe you’re not ready to get up at 5 in the morning to go on a run. That’s okay! Set your alarm 10 minutes earlier, and use that extra time to do a quick HIIT workout. There are plenty of quick exercise videos on YouTube, so pick your favorite.
14. Play with Kids or Pets
The only way to have the energy to keep up with your kids and pets is by sneaking in fitness. Turn playtime into a workout whenever possible, whether it’s going to the park, playing catch, or teaching them how to jump rope (kids, not pets in this case)!
Find Time for Fitness
By finding sneaky ways to fit exercise into your day, you’ll reap all the benefits of working out without having to pay for a pricey gym membership. Six-pack abs or running a marathon may not be in your short-term goals, but at the very least, you can start being more active. It’s all about making small changes!
Read More:
16 Lifestyle Changes for Staying Fit in Your 50s, 60s, and Beyond
How to Keep Healthy and Stay Out of the Doctor’s Office
Alyssa Serio has been a writer and editor since graduating from Aurora University in 2014. In her free time, she loves reading, playing volleyball, and watching any horror movie (even the bad ones) with her husband.