10 Fun Ways to Get in Shape

Did you know that if you do 20 minutes of cardio three times a week it helps your heart, lungs and vascular system work efficiently and your muscles also get the oxygen and blood they need! So I decided to make a list of some fun ways to exercise and the benefits from them! I also listed how many calories it will help you burn!

1. Running

Running is one of the best ways to exercise and it doesn't require any special equipment besides shoes and you can do it anywhere! The best part is that you burn a lot of calories especially if you run on a hill and sprint. A 145-lb person can burn 300 calories running at 5.2mph in 30 minutes.

2. Cross-Country Skiing

 

Cross country skiing is an amazing cardio exercise. One of the best things about it is that it involves your upper and lower body so it doesn't take much to get your heart rate soaring.A 145-lb person can burn 330 calories after skiing for 30 minutes.

3. Bicycling

 

Cycling gives a great cardio workout especially for your legs because you will increase endurance while burning a lot of calories (250-500 in 30 minutes depending on how fast you're going). You can also do it inside with a cycling machine or outside with your bike!

4. Elliptical Trainer

 

The elliptical trainer is a great way to build endurance while protecting your aching joints from high impact activities. Plus, if you use one with arms, it's just like using a cross-country ski machine.  A 145-lb person burns about 300 calories in 30 minutes.

5. Swimming

Swimming  is a full body exercise. The more body parts you involve in your workout, the more calories you'll burn. Spend 30 minutes doing the breaststroke and you'll burn almost 400 calories. Best of all, your joints are fully supported so you don't have to worry about high-impact injuries.

6. Step Aerobics

Step is one tough workout that targets your legs, butt and hips while burning almost 400 calories in 30 minutes (during high intensity sessions). Though it might look complicated, step is easy to learn if you start with a beginner class or video.

7. Rowing

 

Vigorous rowing can really get your heart rate up while working your arms like crazy. Plus, it's probably not something you do very often which means you'll burn even more calories. In 30 minutes, a 145-lb person can burn about 300 calories.

8. Rock Climbing

Rock climbing burns 380 calories in 30 minutes. Though you use strength and power with your arms and legs, rock climbing has a high learning curve and requires lots of special equipment and techniques so you don't hurt yourself. 

9. Walking

If you put a little oomph into it, walking is a great exercise, burning about 180 calories in 30 minutes. Adding hills, sprints or even a few minutes of jogging can increase the amount of calories you burn. Make sure you walk briskly--pretend you're trying to catch a bus--and keep you head up, back straight and swing your arms.

10. Handball

Similar to racquetball (but without the racquet), the side-to-side sprints will get your heart rate up as well as strengthen your legs. The learning curve is high, so plan on practicing a lot before you can even hit that little ball. A 145-lb person burns over 400 calories in 30 minutes.