This post is sponsored by New Balance.
By NATALIA JASTRZAB
I’m officially sick of the exercise I usually do.
I’m sick of doing the same yoga DVDs over and over again. I’m sick of swimming laps at the local pool, and I’m especially sick of cycling away at the gym while watching endless awful music videos.
You see, some people love routine. I am not one of them. My attention span isn’t cut out for any of the above. I can cycle for about two minutes before I pull out my phone and start googling what I’m going to make for dinner (while still trying to cycle). You would be right in thinking that the entire thing is a recipe for disaster (no pun intended).
That’s why I’ve been searching for new ways to work out. I need to mix it up constantly, because it’s the only way that I’ll get my butt off the couch and into my exercise gear.
There’s only one condition – the work out has to be fun. Very, very fun. Because life’s too short to not have fun at every possible moment.
And so I present to you all, six ways to exercise that you’ve probably never even heard of. I promise that they’re all 10 times more enjoyable than your average Saturday morning at the gym…
1. Cardio tennis
Cardio tennis is like tennis on steroids. It’s particularly awesome for people like myself who really enjoy a spot of tennis but are severely lacking in technique. You see, cardio tennis throws tennis technique OUT THE WINDOW and brings in things like music, heart rate monitors and agility ladders. The result is a high-intensity group workout that probably won’t get you competing in the Australian Open anytime soon, but will be a hell of a lot of fun.
The sport is just starting to take off across Australia – you can go here to find a location near you.
2. The Colour Run
I am desperate to participate in The Colour Run. The only requirement behind this 5km marathon is that you wear a white shirt. Every
The Colour Run
kilometre, you get sprayed with a different coloured powder (don’t worry, it’s safe to ingest) that coats you, your clothing, your body and your friends in colour. You end the race feeling sweaty and tired but looking SUPER pretty.
The best part? Proceeds from the race are donated to charity. The other best part? You don’t even have to run – you can skip/walk/jog/crawl the entire thing, depending on what you feel like doing. They’re currently announcing events all over the country – go here to find out more.
3. Underwater rugby
Yes, underwater rugby is a legitimate sport – and surprisingly, it’s awesome. I originally stumbled across it one day when doing laps at the local pool. A bunch of people roped off the lanes next to me and started playing what seemed to be a much less scary version of water polo.
The game is not as rough as normal rugby, so it’s open to both guys and girls. Everyone wears snorkels, masks and fins – it’s pretty much like snorkelling only with fewer fish and a lot more tackling.
If you’re interested in playing, you can go here to find your nearest team. And hey, if you’re really good at it, you might even end up at the underwater rugby world championships! Apparently they’re in Columbia this year…
Anti Gravity Yoga
4. Anti-gravity yoga
The idea of anti-gravity yoga mostly terrifies me, because I was a wimpy child that never even learned how to do a cartwheel. Basically, you climb into a hammock and then hang out of it in various positions that are supposed to be revolutionary for your body. Luckily, the hammock is not too far off the ground, so if you fall out it won’t be *too* embarrassing.
Anti-gravity yoga is taking off all over Australia as we speak – google your city and you’re sure to find a studio near you that offers classes. You guys go ahead, I might stick with things that keep my feet on the ground…
5. Piloxing
Piloxing is the Sport of Choice for Victoria’s Secret Angels, and apparently Hilary Duff is also a fan. It’s the combination of boxing and Pilates – and since it was developed by a Swedish dance instructor, there are some sexy dance moves thrown in too. You wear weighted gloves to get a proper workout that works both your muscles and your core.
It’s taking off in Melbourne as we speak, but is yet to reach other areas of the country – click here to see locations.
6. Spin karaoke
Imagine doing a normal spin class – and add in some flashing lights, microphones and Mariah Carey. Ta-da! Spin karaoke. Apparently singing burns a whole lot of extra calories, and it suits all levels (of fitness AND singing ability).
To my great disappointment, I can’t find anywhere that does Spin Karaoke in Australia, and this seriously upsets me. A few places in the US have Spin Karaoke classes available, so I’m voting that we start a petition to bring it down under. Pronto. Our lives are all a little less bright without it.
Check out some other sports you probably haven’t heard of…
Beer Can Regatta
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Come and share your favourite way to exercise. The best three comments will each win a New Balance prize pack valued at over $250! Comments close 7th February 2013. You must be a Mamamia member in order to win.
Comments
48 Comments so far
Who won?
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I did! …. and it’s the first thing I’ve won since I was 12 years old.
Since I’m 39, you can probably guess how exciting it was too
Thank you Mamamia, and thank you New Balance!
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I do brushing teeth squats! It takes what, at least 2 minutes to brush your teeth? That’s a whole 2 minutes of squats, lunges, wall-sits… even calf-raises!
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Dance-athons with my kids. I love to teach them that exercise can just be good old fashioned fun and some dips, spins and daggy 60s saturday night fever moves give you a good giggle which is great for the mind.
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I am doing the colour run tomorrow at Darling harbor to raise money for MS! I am so excited.
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Team sports all the way. Most of them are great for cardio – basketball, netball, soccer, touch etc – and you hardly realise that you are running. Instead of thinking about one foot in front of the other, you are thinking of the ball, your opposion, having a laugh with your friends. And because the others are expecting you to be there, it is harder to put it off.
That being said, I also enjoy a bit of individual excercise – the gym, riding my bike (outside), going for a swim or a run.
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My favourite way to exercise is anything that hits my thighs. My butt, my belly, they wobble like jelly. I need a routine that busts the flab and some new exercise gear because mine is drab!
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Crankit!! I’m a PT and became a crankit coach in September I now do an hour session twice a week I even wake up at 5:30am just so I can meet mates to do it together!! It’s insane. I’ve never enjoyed the gym with all those muscle head men with their judgemental eyes! (I may be a little paranoid)
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I hear you on this front. I get uber bored pretty quickly… Squirrel!
But, as an ex-dancer, I’ve been researching a few new forms I’ve never tried in the ballroom genre (was a ballet/jazz/tap type of girl growing up), and I’ve found that there’s a Lindy Hop class near my work. That’s the style from the 30/40s where it’s high energy and they do flips and tricks.
Now to sign up and have a go!
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going to the gym sucks…sorry but it just does…I can not handle running on the treadmill for more than twenty minutes and even a 45 min spinning class feels mind-numbingly long. Swimming laps in the pool…also quite dull… However, having said that, I LOVE exercising outdoors. Now that I’ve started doing triathlons (having goals also helps motivate me so much) I can easily run 15 km on a beautiful trail (and I have the BEST running partner…my dog), do a 3-4 hour road cycle with my husband, or swim 1500 m in the lake. The gym is great for when it’s pouring outside or when I don’t have anyone to watch my children, but nothing beats the outdoors. I don’t need fancy equipment (well except for my bike
and I don’t have to drive anywhere (so lucky to be living right next to a lake) which saves me so much time plus it’s so much more fun than watching the minutes slowly tick by in the gym.
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Me too anon! You will never, ever catch me on a stationary bike at the gym, but I am happy to ride for up to an hour and a half if I’m riding around the streets near my house, taking a different route each time.
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I’ve never been a runner, I’ve never been a swimmer, and I’m not really into the gym scene. So, it’s walking for me, brisk walking. And to help me keep up the pace, my husband is right there cheering me on. I’ve found exercising with a friend (especially my best friend) is what I need. So when I start to slow down or get a little “let’s go home” thought in my head, my husband is there making sure I don’t short change myself.
There’s another thing that helps me too. My New Balance shoes. Make no bones about it, they make my walking so much more bearable. And if you could see the sad state of my shoes, you’d see they’re a testament to my walking efforts. Happy feet, happy walk. So thanks to the two things that help make my walking exercise a positive experience …my husband and my New Balance shoes.
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The ultra grocery grab:
My ultimate fat burning excersize involves taking 3 small children grocery shopping. At 17kg, 16kg and 11kg I get some great strength training by lifting them up repeatedly in various combinations (single, double, triple) and positions (back, shoulders, hip, whilst squatting or all of the above). I compliment this with intense aerobic activity as I chase these young personal trainers in as many as three different directions at a time. Then I work on my balance and resistance training by pushing a heavily loaded trolly (topped with 3 little boys) through a crowded car park.
Finally I cool down by strapping them all in their car seats and blasting the radio while I breathe deeply and chant “this too shall pass”.
I usually do this workout at least once a week – absolutely recommend it if you really want to get your heart pumping. In fact I am more than happy to loan out my 3 little personal trainers if anyone wants to give it a go
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I’m a bit of a snob for paid exercise since I see one particular group of my gf/s go from one fad to the next for exercise when I think it could be sooo much simpler especially as they aren’t people that need very much motivation to exercise and do it for the love of it. Most of mine is worked into my day ie cycling to/from work (11miles = 17.7km) walk with my workmate at lunchtimes when possible (2-3 week) however recently I’ve missed bikram so much I’ve made room in the budget & into the week for it and I’m so much happier it’s back into the schedule..perhaps I’m not such a paid exercise snob after all!
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I have a 2yr and 4yr old, so my exercise time is precious! I need to get in, do something effectively in watever time i have so I do gym classes as often as i can. I LOVE Body Combat, it is totally fun and helps me let off steam! After every class, i always joke that no one better mess with me ;o) The music is awesome too!
And another thing i like to do is download the music I found that energised me from the classes to use (there is actually a website that lists all Les Mills tracks) if i only can go for a run- works a treat!
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Does sex qualify as exercise?
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Sure. You just call it Sexercise.
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I would say yes.. if it was the energetic kind ;p
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Oh exercise. How do I hate thee? Let me count thy ways….. *sigh*
For a total book and IT nerd, I always found exercise took me away from the nerdy things I love to do. That was until I got my Kindle.
My Kindle (of the good old-fashioned keyboard variety) has this brilliant function called ‘Text-to Speech’, so I don’t have to put my book down to do
a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g!! That’s right. My Kindle is so clever she reads to me
So it doesn’t matter if I take her (yes – she’s a ‘she’) to the beach for a walk, or I’m sitting on the exercise bike on my back porch. No longer am I trying to hold my book steady while looking out for random lamp posts at the same time (but that’s another story for another day!). I just plug my earphones in and away I go.
Bless you Kindle because now I actually get some exercise
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yes i used to use the speak to me from my lovely kindle, and yes it is a she, but my husband made a clip for me to sit it on the front of the exercise bike, wooooow. plus said bike is also in front of a tv so i can watch pre recorded shows. although i still get bored that way.
yahhhh to kindles
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That clip you have sounds like a brilliant idea, kateb.
My version is very basic – a great big elastic band, but it works
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Kindles are the best, aren’t they? I love mine.
Exercise, not so much!
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Me too! I totally lose myself in my book and forget how long I’ve been exercising for. I’d nearly go so far as to say I look forward to working out, but it’s really just an excuse to get back into my book lol. It’s the perfect escape
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I do bootcamp and it changes every session. I love it! I am also looking into doing crossfit too with yoga.
I am also doing the Perth Color run in a few weeks! Much excited!
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I’m a gym person. I love the fact that someone is telling me what to do without being in my face, like with PT. Go for class. There for an hour. In. Out.
My suggestion for Nat is to give Sh’Bam a go. It’s my favourite class. I do it 3 times a week and love it. It’s one of the Les Mills classes, so lots of gyms have it.
Sh’Bam is easy dance moves (even for me, and I’m pretty unco) set to modern club and some classic tracks (i.e. I was made for loving you, footloose, thriller etc.). It’s 45 min of cardio which is actually fun!
My favourite part about it is that most of the tracks are short (3-4 minutes), so if you don’t like it or don’t get it, it’s over soon. Plus there’s new songs every 3 months which the instructors mix up so you don’t get bored doing the same stuff everytime! I love it!
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Ooh I haven’t heard of Sh’Bam before. Will have to give it a go!
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I also love Sh’bam! There’s also Body Jam which I believe is a step up from Sh’bam but I’ve never been game enough to try it. Maybe I can put that on my ‘to do’ list this year….
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Hula Hooping!
I’ve just started!!
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Hula Hooping!!
I’ve just started!!
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I have started a workout called barre body. Its a fusion of yoga, pilates and ballet. Heaps of fun and tones all the right places! They have workout videos on the website and i have the dvd which is great. I also like to go for a run and do zumba at home.
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I have never liked exercise. When younger walking everywhere because i couldnt afford a car helped, then i took motor cross, that was fun, but really gym how boring.
many, many years later i find that i can actaully read a book while using the exercise book, my kindle just balances well. My husband feels he can always see when i am up to an exciting bit as i peddle faster.
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That is so cute re you peddling faster in the exciting bits!
I’ve been watching Girls on the cross-trainer – makes the 20 minutes fly by
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I registered for the Colo(u)r Run a week or two ago BEFORE reading the FAQs. Silly me…the colour is actually 100% cornstarch and I’m allergic to corn. Guess I’ll be running with a bandanna over my mouth
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Word of warning re the colour run! I did the first one here, loved it but I’m asthmatic and it took over a month for my lungs to recover. Wear a bandana and breathe thru it.
I’ve just got my first pair of new balance trainers and they truly are life changing. Had no idea trainers could feel like slippers.
No idea with exercise hoping for some inspiration here!
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I do well with a routine, but I like to change things around within the routine. So I like having “gym” in my daily routine, and I like having a program to follow, but I also like being able to do something else if I feel like it.
I think the routine is good to get me there, but then the flexibility is good if I’m a bit sore doing one thing, I can change to another.
I’m just back at the gym as of yesterday. Today I made up a session of a couple of workouts the PTs put up for the Xmas – New Year break, and added a couple of extra things that I know from my PT sessions.
I also collect workouts so I have a good bank of them to draw on when I want to do something different.
I go to Anytime, so I can do a range of classes on demand on my own too, and they always put up new CrossFit challenges too. I’m also trying to fit a swimming session in there, but will likely have to wait till uni starts back to do that.
I will always happily do a Pump or Boxing (of any kind) class too.
I wanted to do the Colour Run, but I don’t trust being able to get myself up to Homebush for an early start, and I have a voucher for Cardio Tennis that I need to use!
Water Polo’s not *that* violent. Well, not all the time…
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Oh, I forgot to mention, I love Australian Women’s Health too. It’s a great mag to get ideas for new things to do, and they have useful stuff on the website. Also phone apps with crossfit and other workouts that come through daily.
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Hey kris when u mentioned Womens Health is there a separate app with the exercise ideas or did you have to subscribe to the online mag? If its separate do you have any recommendations for good apps?
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I get emails, but I have subscription to the mag as well.
This is the website: http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/womens-health/
I have myfitnesspal on phone, Ipod and computer, which is good for tracking food and activity – it has a really comprehensive database.
I also have a crossfit workout of the day app on my phone (android) but I’m going searching ITunes for one for the Ipod (can get free wifi at the gym. Handy!).
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I’m one of those odd people who likes the routine of the gym. I really love combat classes! It also helps that I have the most awesome, fun, crazy instructor who keeps me motivated. I also love yoga, not sure if I could handle the anti gravity type though……
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I have NEVER liked exercise. Well that is not entirely true, I loved running when I was little but due to a burst appendix and other complications I couldn’t run for years and therefore never played sport or did any of the other things that tend to get people interested in exercise.
Then when I was 24 I discovered dance. I can’t fully describe the ways it has changed my life. I’m fit and have muscle tone. I lost the puppy fat I had since I was a teenager. It gave me better posture and poise. But it gave me more than that. It gave me confidence. It gave me an amazing group of friends and best of all it gave me the love of my life.
But possibly most amazing of all it made me enjoy and look forward to exercise!
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How often do you dance, vivacious? I went to Sydney Dance Company the other day and I also do Zumba at home sometimes. Such a good way to work out!
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I teach Ceroc (a form of modern jive) about once a week which probably equates to about an hour of dance and I do an hour tango class. So on average 2 hours minimum.
Then because Ceroc is awesome and people just go out dancing to pubs and clubs on the weekend I usually get an hour or two of social dance in there as well.
For anyone considering taking up dance I wrote a post on my blog exploding some dance myths earlier this month: http://blithemoments.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/happy-new-year-resolutions-anyone.html I’m also happy to answer any dance questions or help people figure out what style might suit them. Ask away!
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Right on! Dance is awesome. You have so much fun, meet so many great people and forget that you’re even exercising. It’s never exactly the same each class but it also has enough repetition for routine-based people.
I disagree with the bit in your blog about sneakers though! I get $6 Kmart canvas sneakers, the soles of which wear down into the best spin spots really quickly. It means I can wear socks and be really comfy. Also, it’s more the fashion in my style of dance than sandally type things.
I have also just bought a bicycle and ride to work. Riding to a place is so much better than sitting on an exercise bike because there’s a sense of accomplishment, especially when the hills start to get easier.
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That is true, I know swing dancers who do this – although most buy the shoes then get the soles sueded.
However the reality is that the people who turn up at a dance class in sneakers for the first time usually have nice grippy joggers which is the quickest route to a damaged knee I know!
Smooth really is what you want. Yay for dance I say!
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Actually it’s funny…It tends to be that beginners and more advanced swing dancers will go for ordinary canvas sneakers (Kmart or Keds) and the intermediates will have theirs sueded.
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I suppose it really depends on what sort of dance you do (I’m speaking from a jazz/lyrical/contemporary perspective) but proper dance shoes do have their benefits; they last well, and they really help you move your whole foot (I know that I always feel like an idiot when I try to practice a routine in anything other than the proper shoes; I can’t point my foot, I can’t get out a good pirouette.)
But if you’re just dancing for fun, it doesn’t really matter. Besides, proper shoes are damn expensive. It was around the same time that my dance class started getting P/T jobs and paying for our own things that we realised you could make a pretty good dance shoe out of folding a sock over your foot
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Yeah as I said in my blog I just danced in shoes with a leather sole till I got serious. I can dance ceroc or salsa in pretty much anything but for tango it HAS to be the right shoes or my poise is gone and I can’t push through the floor properly.
A group of my friends just had a conversation on Facebook and realised that on average we each have 3-5 pairs of dance shoes in our cars. That is when you know you are addicted.
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Interesting Nat!
I’m VERY MUCH a routine person but since having kids I’ve had to become a little more flexible….
Some days I literally use my 15 month old as my work out! He’s huge and picking him up and putting him down is like 1000000 rounds of weights! note: I don’t randomly just pick him up and put him down!! I’m talking about when I need to…. which is a billion times a day because he’s always getting himself in to sticky situations!
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