Each year hundreds and hundreds of U.S. citizens endeavor to incorporate more physical activity into their lives. A popular way for Americans to kickstart an overall healthy lifestyle is by participating in a fitness-related hobby such as swimming, yoga, running, jogging, rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and more.
However, suppose you’ve never participated in a fitness-related hobby before. In that case, it can be challenging to determine which one is the best fit for you without incurring too many additional costs. Fortunately, many fitness centers and gyms offer the activities listed above to members at no extra price, meaning individuals can try various activities and find which one they enjoy the most.
Ideally, you want to find a fitness-orientated hobby that you enjoy, as the enjoyment that you derive from the activity is what will motivate you to keep attending classes. To help you on this journey, we’ve produced this article that outlines several of the best fitness-oriented hobbies you should consider trying this year for a happier, healthier life.
Running Or Jogging
If you’re looking for a fitness-orientated hobby that is popular and easy to start, running or jogging may be your solution. In the USA alone, it is estimated that around 15% of the population participate in either running or jogging.
So, suppose you’re the type of person who needs prodding in the right direction. In that case, you could try asking around your office or friendship group to see if anyone needs a running or jogging partner since exercise is always more enjoyable with company.
Forms of aerobic exercise like running and jogging are often considered one of the best and can provide many overall health benefits. As well as helping you improve your cardiovascular health, aerobic exercises can improve your endurance, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and much more – putting you on the road toward better health immediately.
At the start, don’t be too hard on yourself; after all, Usain Bolt didn’t achieve his notoriety overnight! It doesn’t matter how long it takes; all that matters is that you’re increasing your heart rate. Providing that you stick to a regular schedule of running or jogging, you will soon see improvements in the time it takes you to run or jog a certain amount – keeping you motivated to maintain your new healthy lifestyle.
Mountain Biking
Unlike running or jogging, mountain biking is a fitness-orientated activity that requires a little more effort (and funds!) to get started. First, you’ll need the appropriate equipment, such as a mountain bike, safety equipment, bike insurance, etc., and if you don’t live near any trails, you’ll have to research the nearest ones.
As well as helping to keep you mentally sharp, mountain biking can help you exercise various muscle groups since you must think about balance, peddling, and controlling the bike. If you don’t live near any physical mountain bike trails, you could consider using the bikes at the gym, or traveling to a location with mountain bike trails, as there will probably be a rental shop nearby.
Don’t forget, if you decide to purchase your own equipment, to protect yourself and your new purchases by taking out bike insurance like the kind Velosurance offers. Depending on which provider you opt for, the perks and benefits of bike insurance policies can vary, so you must compare providers to ensure you get the best value for your money.
From crash damage to damage or loss in transit, there are a variety of perks that come with the purchase of bike insurance. For more insight, consider looking at the Velosurance website today, where you can find a complete list of their bike insurance policy, trusted partners, FAQ, and much more.
Rock Climbing
One fitness-orientated hobby that is on the rise is rock climbing. The popularity has caused an influx of climbing gyms to open all over America, enabling everyone to participate in the activity whether they live close to the mountains or not.
Whether you decide to climb in a physical environment or the enclosed one of a climbing gym, rocking climbing provides a range of physical and mental benefits. From improving cardiovascular health, improving strength/grip, boosting confidence, and much more, rock climbing is an excellent fitness-orientated hobby to choose if you enjoy a challenge.
Providing that you join a reputable climbing gym in America, many offer beginner courses or tuition to help those unfamiliar with the hobby gain confidence before branching out on their own. Plus, unlike rock climbing in physical environments, indoor climbing gyms provide you with all the equipment you’ll need to begin.
Yoga
Popular to contrary belief, Yoga is a fantastic fitness-orientated hobby that can help you perform a whole-body workout. Plus, since there are so many kinds of Yoga, you can have fun experimenting with the different types and seeing which one you prefer the most. Some of the most popular forms of Yoga are Bikram, Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin, and Restorative Yoga.
As well as providing physical benefits, Yoga is very beneficial for the mind and can help reduce common mental health concerns like anxiety and depression, making it a fantastic way to keep fit yet improve your overall well-being.
