5 Great Non-Workouts for the Person Who Hates Working Out

The gym is not my thing.

Ever heard of ClassPass? It’s a revolutionary service that pools gyms and studios so that you can go to a variety of different classes for one fixed monthly fee.

Here’s why this is great news: The days of doing the same class week after week are over. You don’t have to stick to one particular type of exercise, you can try anything from yoga, to cycling, to barre, to dance, to martial arts, to rowing.

But let’s say none of these appeal to you either. Let’s say you hate traditional exercise, or lifting weights isn’t your thing. What do you do then? There are actually tons of other things you can do. These are my top five:

CLIMBING/BOULDERING
When I went climbing earlier this year I was surprised by how much pain I experienced the day after. I had the best time climbing, and at the time it didn’t feel like a workout, but my goodness was it a workout. It’s physically demanding; incorporating strength and cardio training, working your muscles and increasing your flexibility. It’s also good for your head, as studies have shown it helps reduce stress and increases mental strength and focus. My all-round favorite thing about climbing is that it’s an all-weather sport. Thanks to indoor climbing centers, it doesn’t matter if it’s raining or snowing, or if you live in NYC or Utah, climbing is always an option.

Calories burned*: approx 298 calories per half hour

STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING
I’m not really sure exactly when this became popular, but now everyone is doing it. As the name suggests, you stand up on a paddle board, you have a paddle, and you paddle yourself along the water. It’s pretty straightforward, but it’s also a solid workout. It requires balance, strength and works almost every muscle in your body. While it works every part of your body, it’s low-intensity, so it’s harder to do damage to muscles, tendons or ligaments.

Calories burned: approx 240 calories per half hour

HIKING
Ahhh hiking. Is there a better non-workout workout? You need a good pair of hiking boots, a friend, playlist, podcast, or audio book, and time. You get to see incredible views, you get cardio and aerobic exercise, it frees your mind, strengthens your bones, and of course, burns les calories.

Calories burned: approx 210 calories per half hour

SWIMMING
Swimming is peaceful. Swimming is a full-body workout. Swimming is good for your heart, easy on your joints, helps you build endurance, lowers your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and reduces anxiety.

Calories burned: approx 220 calories per half hour

CYCLING
Cycling is a great cross-functional workout. Another all-weather sport, the best thing about cycling is that it can actually take you places. You can cycle to work, home, or wherever. It doesn’t wear you out the same way running does, as it’s easier on your legs, ankles and knees, and it can lengthen your life. None of these are bad things.

Calories burned: approx 310 calories per half hour

These are just a few of the many options you have for working out without it feeling like a workout. Find the thing you love and run with it! (Not-literally, obviously)

*For a 155 pound individual

/Femi, The Girl Who Hates Working Out

RELATED: The Thing About Goal-Setting II | The Secret to Achieving Your Goals