Not thrilled by running or cycling? Here are four fun and often overlooked forms of cardio exercise to help you get fit this autumn…
With physical activity guidelines recommending we do 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity (that which raises your heart rate a little), cardiovascular exercise is hard to swerve. But if you’re not wowed by the repetitive nature of going for a run, hike or bike ride, there are other options.
Indeed, many people find their fix with team sports, interval training or even lifting weights in short bursts. But increasingly, throwback-style, playground-inspired activities have come to the fore as a popular way for adults to hit their cardio goals. The bonus? They’re a great way to stay active as a family, too. Try these fun ways to get fit this autumn…
Related: How to motivate yourself to go to the gym
4 fun ways to get fit
1. Scooting
You might be used to standing on the sidelines while the kids whizz about on scooters, but scooting provides fitness benefits for all ages. As a low-impact but full-body form of exercise, it’s easy on your joints, great for cardiovascular health and simple to get to grips with.
It provides a handy source of core conditioning, as well as building muscular endurance Plus, it’s a speedy way to nip to the shops. Data shows you could burn up to 480 calories an hour on a scooter. We reckon you could up that if you try to speed-scoot uphill!
Try this: Micro Flex Deluxe (£194.95)
With large wheels and a shock-absorbing, fibreglass deck, this scooter provides a smooth ride for speed-loving grown-ups. Plus, with the press of a couple of buttons, it folds in on itself for easy carrying around the shops or on your commute. Nifty.
2. Rollerskating
Head outside and get your endorphins flowing with rollerskating, for a fun activity that will hark right back to your childhood. It might take a bit
of practice, but all of the balancing required while propelling your body forwards means you engage a whole host of muscles and get a really good workout.
Skating is a great way to work your glutes, hamstrings, calves and inner thighs. You’ll also find it provides a form of mindfulness, as you have to focus on your movements and staying balanced. There are lots of ways to do it – rollerskating, rollerdance, at a skatepark – but a typical one-hour ride on flat ground at a beginner level will burn up to 700 calories. Wow.
Try this: Impala Roller Skates in Marawa Rose Gold (£110.99)
The crème de la crème of roller skates, this shiny pair will make you feel like a disco queen. With plenty of padding and ankle support, they’re super comfy. Plus, we love that they’re made from PETA-approved vegan materials, too.
Related: Gym tips: how to exercise effectively at the gym
3. Rebounding
This trampoline-based form of exercise made a resurgence during the lockdowns, with many finding it to be a home-friendly way to keep fit. The mat of a mini trampoline is more taut than that on a bigger trampoline, which makes it a more focused workout for your core.
Indeed, with the right technique, experts report that your workout will be three times more effective than the same moves done on the floor, thanks to the addition of gravity and G-force. It’s a low-impact (the trampoline mat absorbs 87 per cent of impact) and high-cardio form of exercise that will raise your heart rate, burn fat and boost your coordination. What’s not to love?
Try this: ((BOUNCE)) Trampoline (£150)
((BOUNCE)) has an average of 50,000 people doing its workouts online, in studios and across the globe each month. Each class has a warm-up, cardio-jumping section, muscle-toning element, and a stretch to finish. It aims to burn around 700 calories per hour. Classes are popular with mums, as kids can come too.
Related: The best gym fitness classes for weight loss and toning
4. Hula hooping
If you’re looking for fun ways to get fit, get a little bit nostalgic by grabbing a hula hoop and revving up your heart rate. The secret to hula hooping success is to find an adult-sized hula and maybe even opt for a weighted one for an additional strength challenge. Requiring a lot of shimmying from your hips and waist, hula hooping is a great (and expressive) way to work your core.
It will also boost your cardiovascular system and fire up the smaller muscles of your upper back, glutes and legs. Plus, you can get creative by squatting or moving around as you hula. It’s great for fat burn, too – a half-hour of hula hooping is said to burn up to 165 calories.
Try this: Core Balance Weighted Hula Hoop (£14.99)
This 1kg weighted hula hoop is the perfect option for beginners. It’s light enough for comfort but heavy enough to make it easier to spin. Go for the smooth hoop if you’re a first-timer, or the wavy hoop if you want more of an ab workout.
