Creative Ways to Get Your Workout In
| 5 min read
You don’t have to go to the gym to get your steps or fit a workout in.
Take some inspiration from TikTok – yes, TikTok. It’s the newest social media force to be reckoned with.
There’s a wealth of creative, off-the-wall ideas to help get you moving and add more activity to your life. Whether it’s embracing the “hot girl walk” or trying out a couch workout, there’s no time like the present to try something new. Talk to your doctor before beginning any new exercise routine, especially if you have health or mobility issues, or a chronic condition.
Creative ways to get your steps in
The average American walks 3,000 to 4,000 steps a day, or roughly 1.5 to 2 miles. The Mayo Clinic recommends working your way up to the 10,000-step goal, or whatever number you set for yourself, by gradually adding 1,000 more steps to your day until you’ve reached your goal. With a gradual increase not only are you taking care of your body, but you’re less likely to get discouraged or quit.
Here are some fun, easy ways to incorporate walking more into your daily routine:
- Neighborhood walk or explore a new area: Get a group of friends together and walk your neighborhood or meet in a new area you’re interested in exploring. Walking with friends makes the time fly and the steps add up without you even noticing.
- Join a walking group: Walking groups are a great way to mingle with new people and get your steps in! You can find walking groups near you on sites like Meetup, on social networking sites such as Facebook, and by conducting a simple google search for groups in your area.
- YouTube dance or walking workouts: Finding workouts on YouTube is a free and fun way to get your steps in without having to leave your home. Workouts range from fifteen minutes to one hour so it’s easy to squeeze into your busy schedule.
- Try a social media trend: Try making a TikTok video or Instagram reel of your new daily walking habit to keep yourself accountable and encourage others to join you.
- Try a “hot girl walk” – listening to an uplifting podcast or playlist to uplift yourself and your mood – all while getting your steps in.
- Share your progress with friends: If you and your friends have fitness bands, such as Apple Watches or Fitbits, add each other to your account and track one another’s progress. You can all hold one another accountable for reaching your goals and you can even turn it into a little healthy competition!
Walking more at work:
- Walk during meetings and phone calls, if possible
- Set a timer to get up and move around every hour
- Park farther away
- Bike or walk parts of your commute
- Take the stairs when possible
- Alternate between sitting and standing at your desk
Walking 10,000 steps a day isn’t a bad goal to set for yourself; it’s just important to remember that it may take you some time to meet it and that it is OK and perfectly healthy to set a lower goal. It’s all about listening to your body.
Try a couch workout
While a “couch workout” sounds a bit counterintuitive, the two can be blended seamlessly. TikTok creators like Alexis Claire, Ashley Mojo and Coach Rauve offer ways to get the best beach body all without leaving your favorite spot on the couch. Find them by searching #fittok on the social media app.
Couch workouts are perfect for most everyone, including those with mobility issues, those who do not have excess to workout equipment and of course, the avid and die-heart binge watchers. If you have mobility issues or other health considerations, talk to your doctor before beginning a new routine.
Here are some couch exercises to try:
Upper body exercises
- Half push-ups: Lay on your stomach and push up while engaging your bicep muscles.
- Tricep push-ups: Lay on your side, and while using one arm push upwards.
Midsection exercises
- Slow negative sit-ups: do a regular sit-up, but slowly release as you come down.
- Cross toe taps: lay on your back, and while engaging your core, touch your opposite hand to your opposite toe while lifting your leg.
- Lift knee taps: while sitting on the edge of the couch, slowly crunch while lifting your knee to the opposite side of your body.
Lower body exercises
- Bridge thrusts: while laying on your back, lift your hips to the air. Be sure to squeeze your stomach and glutes during this one.
- Leg pulls and pulse: lay on your back and slowly pull your leg your head and pulse for two counts.
Other tips
- Since many of the couch exercises are conducted without any equipment, remember to engage your core muscles during the exercise.
- Numerous fitness creators recommend that form during an exercise should be the number one priority.
- The essence of the couch workout is to conduct fitness in a relaxed manner. Don’t go too fast. These exercises should take you a good 45-minute episode of your favorite Netflix show.
Looking for more ways to get moving? A Healthier Michigan is ready to help:
Photo credit: Getty Images
