5 Best Alternatives To Gym
We often cringe on the idea of lifting weights, pumping iron, running on a treadmill, etc., and feel that it is not our thing. Also, for some people, their work-life schedule doesn’t allow them to exercise at the gym. Fortunately, there are other alternatives to the gym which one can find comparatively less tiresome and fun to fulfil their fitness desires.
Here are the five alternatives which one can perform without going to the gym to get a healthy body and a fit mind -
Yoga - Yoga has now become an inherent part of the modern-day fitness regime. Yoga as a fitness practice became quite popular across the globe in the late 20th Century. It can be performed using only a yoga mat. It helps in not just increasing the fitness levels but is also linked with peace of mind, spirituality and even has a religious aspect related to it.
Body postures referred to as ‘Asanas’ are an integral part of Yoga. They are known to help in the meditation process and attaining peace of mind. Yoga has become so popular that in 2015 United Nations declared 21st June as ‘Yoga Day’.
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) - With more or less similar health benefits of the gym, High-Intensity Interval Training or HIIT is a form of interval training workout which is known to burn even more calories than an hour of pumping iron at the gym. HIIT sessions include burpees, dumbbell curls, weighted lunges, jumping jacks, etc. Generally, these exercises are continuously repeated over a period of 45 minutes with alternating short periods of intense anaerobic exercises.
Mat Pilates - Pilates is a rather modern form of workout which aims to improve the core strength along with flexibility, posture, and mobility. It was developed in the early ’90s by Joseph H. Pilates.
Pilates sessions that are performed using a mat only are known as ‘Mat Classes’. These exercises have shown great results in improving the core as it focuses more on mid-body workout. Some of the popular exercises performed under mat classes are hundred mat exercise, roll up mat exercise, open leg rocker mat exercise, one leg circles mat exercise, saw mat exercise one leg stretch, and double leg kick mat exercise.
Zumba – Zumba is a fun and unique way of achieving fitness goals. It uses principles of aerobic and fitness to burn around 600 calories an hour. Usually, fitness freaks perform Zumba in group sessions, and it feels more like a party rather than a workout session. But the availability of CD/DVD made it even popular as a home workout, people played videos on their television sets and enjoyed coping steps as instructed by the instructor. It was created by Colombian dancer Alberto Beto Perez in the 1990s. Zumba
Barre Workout – With stars like Madonna and Natalie Portman promoting the Barre workout, it has gained a massive following, especially among the women. It has found its origin from Ballet and helps in developing lean muscle along with improving balance, flexibility, and strength.
Usually, Barre workouts are performed in groups, but people are even benefiting from it at the comfort of their homes using a normal chair. Exercises like Relevé Plié, Parallel Plié Pulse, Arabesque Attitude, Reaching Rond de Jambe, Plié Pulse to Passé, Teaser Biceps Curl, etc., can be performed at home using a chair and a dumbbell.
People often believe that hitting the gym is the only fitness solution to achieve the health benefits of a workout. But these alternatives can provide similar or in some workouts even better health benefits that one can gain without paying the gym’s subscription fees.
