Workouts That Don’t Involve HIIT Training (That Are Actually SO Fun)

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Hands up if every January you make the same resolution to get back into the gym? Don’t worry, us too. And while it’s always great to want to live a healthier lifestyle, just the idea of a high-intensity workout can be kinda overwhelming. So instead of charging in, why not ease yourself back into fitness with a fun workout that’ll get your heart rate pumping without a round of burpees? From boxing to aerial yoga, these exercises will get your endorphins flowing and your body moving in a way that actually feels good. Thank us later…

1. Boxing

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Real talk: while any form of exercise will release mood-bosting endorphins, taking your stress out on a punching bag is hella cathartic. Boxing is also a great cardio workout, which is ideal if you want to burn calories without hopping on a treadmill. Many boxing classes also coordinate the moves to music to help you maintain a consistent tempo. However, there are also tons of virtual boxing classes if you can’t or don’t want to go to a gym right now.

2. Aerial Yoga

After a discussion among our colleagues, it became clear we were all suffering from back pain thanks to our 9-5 desk job. Our solution? An aerial yoga class. Not only can it help alleviate back pain, but it can also improve blood circulation, all the while helping you achieve more advanced yoga poses for a more intense stretch. After 60 minutes in a hammock, our muscles felt stretched and soothed, and we laughed non-stop. It’s also a lot easier than it looks, and many classes include guided meditation and breathing exercises, which are great stress relievers.

3. Roller Skating

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Ask any teenager on TikTok, and they’ll tell you about the benefits of rollerskating – some roller skating videos have reached over one million views in less than 24 hours. TikTok aside, it’s a killer workout as it utilizes every muscle in your body, helping you burn anywhere between 350 to 600 calories an hour. Just be sure to invest in good quality equipment, including a helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads, and knee pads, to avoid injury.

4. Stand-Up Paddleboarding

If you’re lucky enough to live by a lake or the sea, try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding. It’s surprisingly a great toning and sculpting workout as you have to keep your core and lower muscles engaged to maintain your balance. In fact, according to SUP World Magazine, when paddleboarding at a leisurely pace, you can plan to burn 305 -430 calories an hour. If you do want to add some intensity, play around with some squat exercises. Hold your paddle in both arms in front of you and enter a deep squat, slowly coming up on your tiptoes. It sounds easy, but it’s a lot harder than you may think!

5. Dancing

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Last but not least, dancing. As it’s a whole-body workout, you can burn (roughly) the same amount of calories as a gentle jog. We’d recommend taking a dance class to make the most of your workout, either virtually or in person. During quarantine, we trialed the Body by Simone Dance Workout, and we’ve been hooked ever since – it’s great for toning up your booty! Failing that (and speaking from experience), learning a TikTok dance from start to finish is surprisingly great cardio.

What’s your fave workout RN? Let us know in the comments below.