Fun fitness

If your regular exercise routine has become boring, don’t give up – simply supplement it with an enjoyable activity that stimulates your body and your senses. Helen Hawkes reports.

We hate to say this, but sometimes exercise can be boring. There, it’s out. But have you ever wondered why it shouldn’t be fun, especially if you’re going to sacrifice time and, often, money to do it?

Of course, we all know about the health benefits of regular exercise: it can reduce the risk of heart disease, type-2 diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, and stress-related illnesses, and also helps you shed fat and shore up muscles. But sometimes a worthy reason alone isn’t enough incentive to hit the gym; you want to inject a little fun into your routine, challenge yourself or discover that you’re good at something you would have never imagined.

The good news is that taking up an enjoyable activity just for fun won’t detract from your fitness regimen a jot. In fact, it will enhance it, because boredom is one of the major reasons women give up on exercise, says Sydney-based personal trainer Brent Williams. “I love to tell clients to try a new sport or activity, be it anything from ballroom dancing to touch footy,” he says. “Whatever you think might appeal to you, or help you get out there and be active.“ Give your mind something different to think about and chances are you’ll have a laugh along the way as well as get fitter. “Better still, do it with a buddy and commit,” he says.

In the same way that activities you perform in the gym can have different benefits, so too can those you do outside a structured fitness environment. So it’s important to decide which part of your body – and mind – you want to work, says Matthew Fourro, a naturopath and exercise physiologist at The Byron at Byron Resort & Spa in New South Wales.

Perhaps you sit at a desk all day and want to tone up your lower body, or just shake out all the static? Maybe you work at home and need a fitness regimen that provides social contact? Or perhaps you’re bored with repetitive exercise and want to try something that gets your adrenalin pumping? Whatever your fitness goal, there’s a fun activity that will help you achieve it.

Get your adrenalin flowing

More and more women are discovering the daredevil in themselves while they get fit, says Phil James, managing director of Live Adrenalin, a national adventure activities company. “We’re seeing an increasing number of women in their thirties, forties and older trying things like abseiling and sea kayaking,” he says.

The payoff: activities such as these not only build fitness but self-confidence and often friendships, says James. And the choices are endless – Live Adrenalin offers more than 350 different adventure options. But there are also many adventure ‘lite’ activities that you can do regularly to have fun and get fit, and not feel like you are walking a highwire.

One such example is orienteering (see Map it Out, right), which is both adventurous and achievable. Mike Weller, president of the Orienteering Association of NSW, says it’s inexpensive – a competitive event costs $8-$20 to enter – and “it doesn’t involve hiking across a mountain range for five days”.

In orienteering you use a combination of navigational skill and athleticism to find your way around a set course. Using a map and a compass, the basic aim is to move through the forest from one control (checkpoint) to another in the shortest time possible, explains Mike.

To find an orienteering group in your state, visit ww.orienteering.asn.au/stateassociations.

Another activity that’s perfectly suited to the Australian environment is body surfing, which works on coordination, cardiovascular fitness, endurance, muscle strength, flexibility and power.

Alternatively, you might like to try sea kayaking, another fun water sport that’s great for upper-body fitness. A half-day tour with Live Adrenalin will cost you around $65. Live Adrenalin offers adventure activities in most states. For more information, call 1300 791 793 or visit www.adrenalin.com.au.

 

Saddle up

If you’re looking for a sport that works on your strength, flexibility, endurance and balance simultaneously, then Sydney-based personal trainer Megan McChesney suggests you try horse riding. “It’s the perfect exercise for anyone who loves horses and wants to get fit,” she says.

Ideally, you should try to ride for at least one hour twice a week, but it’s really over to you, time and budget-wise.

The Australian Horse Riding Centres (AHRC) is a national organisation that represents around 100 horse-riding venues. It sets high standards for facilities, instruction, horse welfare, supervision and safety. To find a qualified instructor or AHRC accredited horse-riding centre in New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland or Victoria, visit www.horseriding.org.au.

 

Ball games

One of the easiest ways to put fun into a family fitness regimen is with ball games.The World Cup has come and gone, but soccer is still popular with small and big kids. It improves cardiovascular fitness and endurance, and also tones the lower body.

You’ll get a good workout simply by kicking a ball around with friends. If you find you enjoy it, think about joining a local team. To find a women’s team in your area, contact your state soccer federation. For details go to www.footballaustralia.com.au and click on ‘Directory’.

Cricket and baseball are other fun ways to get some exercise and involve the kids. And you don’t really need to know the rules, just round up your friends and family, head to a local park and take turns batting, fielding and, of course, running for base or between the wickets. Both baseball and cricket improve coordination, strength and cardiovascular fitness and are fun for people of all ages and fitness levels.

Another plus is that none of these ball sports requires a major investment. Rebel Sport stores sell a 2006 World Cup Glider Soccer Ball for $24.99, Regent Sports T-Ball Glove and Ball for $19.99, and Slazenger V389 Michael Clarke Cricket Set for $49.99.

 

Words: Helen Hawkes. Photography: Steven Chee. Hair & Make-up: Karen Hopwood.  Styling: Nadene Duncan.