Exercise: Fun ways to get fit

Exercise, oh exercise. It has been one of the many prominent topics in our society for years and years. As science progresses, times change and humans live longer; society has been consistently telling us that we need to be healthier, look after ourselves and exercise more. And you know what? We’ve been listening – well most of us have been trying to anyway. All over the world, many embark on an exercise mission to get fit but only a few actually succeed and the main reason is because they just don’t enjoy what they’re doing, and honestly we can see why. Although many do want to improve their lifestyle, they just don’t want to be bored doing it.

We’re told to run more, go to the gym… We’re told that it’s good to be ripped or good to look slim, but really the most important thing you need to be is happy. That’s the secret to doing exercise: do what you love and be happy. No longer is exercise restricted to the usual plain activities. Now there’s even more ways you can get fit. And that’s where we come in! We have compiled a small list of some cool exercises that you can do that will not only get you fit and ready for the summer holidays but also ensure you have fun while you’re doing it too.

Ballet

Not just for kids under six or professional ballerinas, ballet gives you the chance to relive your childhood dreams, return to an old passion, have fun and get some exercise at the same time.  The best thing about it is that ballet is not just all pretty turns; it improves your posture, tones your muscles, focuses on correct placement of the body, correct technique and safe alignment while building your body up to be tough, graceful and strong. Trust us. There’s a reason why ballerinas are always in such great shape.

Yoga/Pilates

You’ve heard the tales and seen the adverts and as a yoga addict, it does work. Easy to start and not hard to find; yoga and Pilates classes are everywhere and the results are true. And with so many easy, intimate and advanced classes out there; yoga and Pilates are not hard to try, you just need two things to really master its craft: patience and balance.

Aerial workout

Ok now we’re not crazy, but this is seriously one of the most fun and beneficial exercises out there today. You may have seen American singer Pink showing off her Cirque de Soleil moves at the Grammys and on tour, or you may have seen Vanessa Hudgens showing off her silk rope skills on Instagram for the world to see. Well these guys and so many more are definitely on to something. Ariel workout can develop upper-body and improve core strength, increase body awareness and burn calories but it’s not for the faint-hearted. Make sure you start off slow and as long as you keep at it, you’ll be twirling your way to a rocking hard body and soaring high in the sky in no time.

We know that these exercises are not the most conventional ways to get fit and you won’t see these classes at your average PE lesson, but at least you’ll be having fun while getting fit, proving that exercise doesn’t need to be boring or dull.

Flavie Belanco