Recommend me a new hobby

[Alex]

OK, so I feel like I should be getting out and doing more exercise, but I find the gym far too boring. I've tried running/cycling but again it just doesn't seem fun to me, which is really what's going to make me keep going.

Tried Karate - kept that up for about 18 months but in the end got bored of the endless drills and conditioning, tried Aikido but in the end felt it wasn't really doing a lot for fitness and not really a particularly realistic martial art. I play tennis and badminton occasionally but not really good enough to join a club.

So, I thought I'd ask on here for what physical activities you lot get up to that's fun. I've thought about climbing, might try the local 'boulders' club and I though I might give fencing a go - seems like a bit of a laugh. Any other suggestions?

[LWA]

I took up snowboarding a year ago and I've been finding that very fun. It's an excellent all over work out, especially on the abs!

[TheAnimus]

Extreme Ironing?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extreme_ironing

[Spud1]

I took up snowboarding a year ago and I've been finding that very fun. It's an excellent all over work out, especially on the abs!

I'd second this - Snowboarding is great fun, its a great workout and its not too expensive if you have an indoor slope near you (eg Chillfactore at Manchester, XScape in Leeds/Milton K). You don't even need any special equpiment as the entry fee usually includes this.

I've yet to match the exhilaration and excitement that I get from snowboarding - plus unlike many other outdoor sports its almost universally cool (much more so than skiing!).

At the opposite end of the "cool" spectrum is Golf. It's my other hobby, especially in the summer months. You get to walk for around 4-6 miles during a round, plenty of upper body exercise from the swinging, a great sun tan in the right weather..and of course to enjoy some beautiful british countryside. Downside is that there is a stigma of being boring or an "old man" sport..but really, it's great fun, and very satisfying when you hit that perfect round.

[Alex]

Snowboarding would be great, but unfortunately I'm in Cardiff and there's no snowdome near here. Used to go a bit to the one in Manchester when I was up that way, I agree it's great fun.

Not even considered golf, might give it a look...

[Zadock]

How about...

Egg smashing?

Vicars' arse rubbings & photocopying your face and taping it to the window of a right wing celebrity?

(Persons of a certain age will remember this :-p - there are 3 different hobbies on the second link )

[0iD]

Parkour? Always looks like fun to me

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Ferret legging:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferret_legging

[jim]

I play tennis and badminton occasionally but not really good enough to join a club.

There are enough social opportunities for badminton... thankfully it's one of those sports where a really good player can play a really inept player and still have a decent game.

There's no need to try and join a competitive club.

[Andeh13]

Your welsh, it goes with out saying; sheep sha...ving!!

[TooNice]

Dance? Lots of options there to cater for individual tastes. Breakdancing will definitely challenge on your conditioning and balance, but you'll need to be patient because even the basic moves will take a while to get it right (or do it at all). "Street" dance is easier to get into because the moves are, at beginner level, possible to do and the challenge is to make it flow and look good. It can get pretty insane at higher level.
Not done it, but parkour sounds fun to me too

[Iron Sights]

I always recommend martial arts every time to people, so many to try?

However I've always wanted to try rock climbing

[ik9000]

climbing rocks... no pun intended

failing that quit your job and become a scaffolder

[Alex]

I always recommend martial arts every time to people, so many to try?

However I've always wanted to try rock climbing

Any suggestions for a martial art which is fun, doesn't involve too many drills and is moderately effective?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Any suggestions for a martial art which is fun, doesn't involve too many drills and is moderately effective?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJxGi8bizEg

[Splash]

(Persons of a certain age will remember this :-p - there are 3 different hobbies on the second link )

Ah, can't wait for the FoF first series DVD to come out later this year.