8 Activities that Will Keep You In Shape

It is a new year and as always one of your goals is to start working out. But if you are anything like me, going to the gym is not an option.

The idea of being in one place just lifting weights and running in a treadmill sounds boring and doesn't make me feel motivated at all.

I decided to create and share with you a list of sports that have not only have physical and mental benefits but also you do not need to be a pro or have previous experience to start.

1.-Dance: There are many different forms of dancing, from salsa dancing to contemporary dancing or even Zumba.

Regardless of which one you prefer, dancing can be a good and fun way to stay fit for people of all ages. 

Its benefits include muscular strength, aerobic fitness, weight management,  coordination, agility, and flexibility, improve mental functioning, increases self-confidence, etc.

2.-Swimming: swimming is considered one of the most complete physical workout. 

It helps keeps your heart rate up and relieves the stress of your body, is a cardiovascular activity but it also tones muscles and increases muscle strength.

It is a low impact activity, so even if you have injuries you can still do it and it won't hurt your body.

3.-Yoga: Has become very popular over the years, it is because it is one of the activities that have the most mental benefits of all. Yoga builds strength, harmony, awareness, and balance in both your body and mind combined. It also improves your respiration, energy, and vitality.

4.-Pilates Reformer:  Its benefits include, coordination, flexibility, strength and balance. You work out your entire body and its main focus is alignment and muscle engagement.

It is also  no-impact activity as the majority of the time is laying down or sitting in the pilates  "bed"

5.-Running: It is one of the most common activities and is free.

You can choose where to run and do it with an amazing view.

It is perfect to increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen muscles, and helps to keep a healthy weight because it burns plenty of calories.

6.-Capoeira: It is known as martial arts, but it is not like any other martial art you know. You don't need plenty or any experience to start.

It requires a lot of upper body movement as you move around constantly. It is an amazing leg workout as most of the moves require you to be in a squat position and even lower.

With this activity, you increase your coordination, balance, strength, it is also cardiovascular, relieve stress, develop self-confidence and as a plus, you get to learn how to defend yourself.

7.-Functional Training: this type of activity focuses on specific exercises that make you work more than one group of muscles that's why it makes it a perfect full-body workout. 

It helps build strength and mobility in your entire body. It is also a low impact activity, so you can try it even if you have never done any type of exercise before.

8.-Cycling: Among its endless benefits, cycling improves mental well-being as this activity is one that you can either do alone or with a group of friends. 

It helps to lose weight, builds legs muscles, it is also a low impact activity so the risk to injure the joints or any injury at all is low.

It doesn't matter which activity you would like to try, or if you have never done it before. 

What matters is that you enjoy it and start your way to a healthier life.