Going to the gym everyday, day after day, gets boring. Even doing different routines, focusing on various muscle groups, can eventually numb your mind and decrease your motivation. It is scientifically proven that the lack of variety in workout routines and exercises is one of the most prominent deterrent for people getting into fitness. The solution? Make your workouts fun while keeping the intensity level high. We don't always have to go to the gym and hit the free weights for massive muscle gain or for quick weight loss. Drop those dumbbells and venture out to try some of these unique fitness options. Most of them require little to no equipment, but they do require involvement and having fun with others! Check out my top six unique fitness choices to make workout from being dreadful to fun:
1) Krav Maga
Krav Maga, in Hebrew, means "contact combat". It was created by the Israeli military and it is a combat martial art. The basics of this self defense martial arts can be learned in several months. The most interesting fact about Krav Maga is the fact that it is one of the most practical form of martial arts. It has a focus on fighting on the streets and against enemies with knives, guns, and other weapons. The fitness aspect of this sport is the focus on endurance, stamina, and strength training. One person may be attacked for five or more minutes. They may be choked, grappled, or attacked with weapons. This gives you an excellent workout, along with a sound understanding on defending yourself.
Where to Learn: Krav Maga self defense classes are commonly found in specialty gyms that offer Crossfit or other martial arts (Kickboxing, MMA, etc.)
Did You Know?: Training involves simulating fights in the a nightclub or bar. Students have to defend from attackers with the lights off, a strobe light on, and with noisy music in the background. Students also have to twirl in the same spot before the fight to simulate the drunkenness.
2) Breakdancing/Hip Hop dancing
Breakdancing (or b-boying) and Hip Hop dancing is pretty self explanatory, as it is known worldwide. If you watch shows such as "So You Think You Can Dance" or "America's Best Dance Crew", and when they are being critiqued by the judges, you can see the sweat pouring down their heads. Dancing is not an easy sport, and it requires great coordination, strength, flexibility, and rhythm. Break dancing especially, is one of the best body weight exercise anyone can get. There's no need for weights when you are trying to lift your body and bounce on one hand. I recommend everyone to go and try a class, even if it is only to break your workout routine and try something new.
Where to Learn: Reputable studios are quite common throughout any city. They often offer free first time beginner classes.
Did You Know?: Break dancers are so fit because they practice moves like their "Freezes". These are arguable the best exercise for the upper body.
3) Hot Yoga
When we hear Yoga, we often think of elderly folks stretching to the "humm" of Buddha in the background. Modern yoga is completely different and is actually extremely challenging. Yoga is a well-rounded approach to fitness. It focuses on enhancing flexibility and core muscle strength. It is a great form of functional fitness. Hot Yoga is the next level up. You are put in an environment where the heat is turned up to increase perspiration. You body will sweat out a lot of your toxins while you exercise. Even after two to three classes, you will have a new found ability to stretch further than you ever could before.
Where to Learn: One can find yoga studios in most urban centers. The famous Bikram Yoga is famous for its 26 standard poses, and therefore is the one recommended.
Did You Know?: Other than weight loss, muscle toning, and enhancing flexibility, stress relief is also one of the main focuses of yoga. The breathing patterns and mindful concentration allow your body to cure itself. Yoga has been proven to provide benefits for curing depression, back pain, and other stress related disorders.
4) Pole Dancing
Once again, we have a common misconception to think that this is a sexual dance performed in strip clubs and bars. In reality, a lot of fitness enthusiast have taken this up as an additional hobby. Even men have been known to try this sort of workout. Pole dancing requires significant flexibility, strength, and stamina to perform. At advanced levels, the athlete may not get off the pole at all, thus supporting his/her body weight entirely with their arms and legs around the pole. This sort of athleticism requires long dedication to master.
Where to Learn: Pole dancing schools are often available in most urban cities. Some dance studios have class too.
Did You Know?: There's actually international pole dancing competitions worldwide, and children as young as 7 compete in them? It is an up and coming sport!
5) Capoeira
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial arts/dance mix. It is well known for its power moves, leg sweeps, and movement speed. The fitness level of Capoeira dancers are impeccable because they work on their balance and strength training using their body weight. The combination of dance and martial arts makes Capoeira one of the more interesting way to workout.
Where to Learn: In most urban centers, there are Capoeira dance studios that have lessons for the public.
Did you Know?: Capoeria is a contact sport where as the dancers don't attack each other, but support each other. Often times they will use each other to perform powerful flips or sweep kicks.
6) Dodgeball
For a fun, engaging, and surprising intense sport, try dodgeball! The mixture of throwing and dodging makes dodgeball a functional fitness exercise. Agility, quick step movements, and strength is focused here. The game is best played with friends. There are days where dodgeball becomes my workout routine. I can have fun while getting a full workout.
Where to Learn: Dodgeball isn't something we need to "learn". The most difficult part I find is finding a good team in the numerous dodgeball leagues in the city.
Did You Know?: The world record of the most number of players in a dodgeball game is 6084. This fact has nothing to do with fitness :)
1) Krav Maga
Krav Maga, in Hebrew, means "contact combat". It was created by the Israeli military and it is a combat martial art. The basics of this self defense martial arts can be learned in several months. The most interesting fact about Krav Maga is the fact that it is one of the most practical form of martial arts. It has a focus on fighting on the streets and against enemies with knives, guns, and other weapons. The fitness aspect of this sport is the focus on endurance, stamina, and strength training. One person may be attacked for five or more minutes. They may be choked, grappled, or attacked with weapons. This gives you an excellent workout, along with a sound understanding on defending yourself.
Where to Learn: Krav Maga self defense classes are commonly found in specialty gyms that offer Crossfit or other martial arts (Kickboxing, MMA, etc.)
Did You Know?: Training involves simulating fights in the a nightclub or bar. Students have to defend from attackers with the lights off, a strobe light on, and with noisy music in the background. Students also have to twirl in the same spot before the fight to simulate the drunkenness.
2) Breakdancing/Hip Hop dancing
Breakdancing (or b-boying) and Hip Hop dancing is pretty self explanatory, as it is known worldwide. If you watch shows such as "So You Think You Can Dance" or "America's Best Dance Crew", and when they are being critiqued by the judges, you can see the sweat pouring down their heads. Dancing is not an easy sport, and it requires great coordination, strength, flexibility, and rhythm. Break dancing especially, is one of the best body weight exercise anyone can get. There's no need for weights when you are trying to lift your body and bounce on one hand. I recommend everyone to go and try a class, even if it is only to break your workout routine and try something new.
Where to Learn: Reputable studios are quite common throughout any city. They often offer free first time beginner classes.
Did You Know?: Break dancers are so fit because they practice moves like their "Freezes". These are arguable the best exercise for the upper body.
3) Hot Yoga
When we hear Yoga, we often think of elderly folks stretching to the "humm" of Buddha in the background. Modern yoga is completely different and is actually extremely challenging. Yoga is a well-rounded approach to fitness. It focuses on enhancing flexibility and core muscle strength. It is a great form of functional fitness. Hot Yoga is the next level up. You are put in an environment where the heat is turned up to increase perspiration. You body will sweat out a lot of your toxins while you exercise. Even after two to three classes, you will have a new found ability to stretch further than you ever could before.
Where to Learn: One can find yoga studios in most urban centers. The famous Bikram Yoga is famous for its 26 standard poses, and therefore is the one recommended.
Did You Know?: Other than weight loss, muscle toning, and enhancing flexibility, stress relief is also one of the main focuses of yoga. The breathing patterns and mindful concentration allow your body to cure itself. Yoga has been proven to provide benefits for curing depression, back pain, and other stress related disorders.
4) Pole Dancing
Once again, we have a common misconception to think that this is a sexual dance performed in strip clubs and bars. In reality, a lot of fitness enthusiast have taken this up as an additional hobby. Even men have been known to try this sort of workout. Pole dancing requires significant flexibility, strength, and stamina to perform. At advanced levels, the athlete may not get off the pole at all, thus supporting his/her body weight entirely with their arms and legs around the pole. This sort of athleticism requires long dedication to master.
Where to Learn: Pole dancing schools are often available in most urban cities. Some dance studios have class too.
Did You Know?: There's actually international pole dancing competitions worldwide, and children as young as 7 compete in them? It is an up and coming sport!
5) Capoeira
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial arts/dance mix. It is well known for its power moves, leg sweeps, and movement speed. The fitness level of Capoeira dancers are impeccable because they work on their balance and strength training using their body weight. The combination of dance and martial arts makes Capoeira one of the more interesting way to workout.
Where to Learn: In most urban centers, there are Capoeira dance studios that have lessons for the public.
Did you Know?: Capoeria is a contact sport where as the dancers don't attack each other, but support each other. Often times they will use each other to perform powerful flips or sweep kicks.
6) Dodgeball
For a fun, engaging, and surprising intense sport, try dodgeball! The mixture of throwing and dodging makes dodgeball a functional fitness exercise. Agility, quick step movements, and strength is focused here. The game is best played with friends. There are days where dodgeball becomes my workout routine. I can have fun while getting a full workout.
Where to Learn: Dodgeball isn't something we need to "learn". The most difficult part I find is finding a good team in the numerous dodgeball leagues in the city.
Did You Know?: The world record of the most number of players in a dodgeball game is 6084. This fact has nothing to do with fitness :)
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