Alternatives to the gym

[Taz]

If you want to keep fit then what do you do if you don't go to the gym but have a sedentary job?

1. Wash the car - a three-hour vac, wash, dry and wax will consume around the same number of calories as a heavy gym session.

2. Energetic 'ladies and gentlemen'...erm, you know what I mean. Easily consumes 500-1000 calories.

3. Go shopping for a couple of hours. Walking a couple of miles will probably burn off 200-300 calories.

Others?

[Twigman]

Start a fight...thats well tiring. Even if its play fighting or pillow fights or play fights with friends.

The "Last person to the pub buys the round game"...works better for pubs futher away or pub crawls.

[smtkr]

2. Energetic 'ladies and gentlemen'...erm, you know what I mean. Easily consumes 500-1000 calories.

Unless I decide to be selfish and finish in 2 minutes

[Workaholic]

Don't take the bus everywhere and walk/run instead. I do it everyday and waste 20-30 minutes but no more waiting for non-existent late buses.

[Taz]

I travel a lot and if my hotel room is below the 6th floor I take the stairs.

[Skinleech]

Use a bike.

[theslasher@ntlw]

Hane sex thats about a 5 mile jog!!!

[tiggerai]

Housework...

then you might actually get some of the "energetic ladies and gentlemen".

Double bonus.

[Tobeman]

Start a fight...thats well tiring. Even if its play fighting or pillow fights or play fights with friends.

The "Last person to the pub buys the round game"...works better for pubs futher away or pub crawls.

The first rule of Fight Club is, you do not talk about fight club

Unless I decide to be selfish and finish in 2 minutes

Damn, you are unfit

[Funkstar]

I used to think i liked the gym and was just out of condition, but i realised a while back that i actually reall really hate it

so i've cut down on driving when i can, take stairs when i need to go up or down, and generally just things like that. Also wandering around aimlessly taking photos of random things for a few hours is good.

Between that and watching what i eat i notice a big difference in myself. i think others do too.

[badass]

Housework...

then you might actually get some of the "energetic ladies and gentlemen".

Double bonus.

OK clean my house then I might let you if you're lucky

[Howard]

Walk to work. Even if it's 20 miles away. You'll just have to leave earlier.

[Twigman]

20miles...at an average waling pace of 3-4mph is over 5 hours...
"Standard" work hours: 9-5

So that would mean leaving your house before 4am, and getting back after 10pm.
Quite the practical suggestion there.

[herulach]

20miles...at an average waling pace of 3-4mph is over 5 hours...
"Standard" work hours: 9-5

So that would mean leaving your house before 4am, and getting back after 10pm.
Quite the practical suggestion there.

true, cycling to work however would not be, depending where abouts your job is, for example i bet i could cycle from my house to york faster than my dad drives it in the rush hour. You just have to work up to it, obviously buying a bike and setting off isnt gonna work, youd die half way there.

As far as not enjoying the gym goes, if you dont enjoy it your doing the wrong things. How far away is your gym? cycle/walk/jog there and just lift weights. All i do (dont really need much cardio since i get at least 30 mins on the bike everyday to and from uni) and im in pretty decent shape, and also manage to eat like a complete pig (were talking 4 square meals a day) and still loose weight.

[Funkstar]

I hate running. Can't do it. Can cycle and row for quite a while, but running just kills me. I find it much easier to stick the headphones in and go for a long walk, i can walk all day, no problems (At a decent pace too, 4-5mph i think) and actually enjoy it...and it's free

[Workaholic]

I hate running. Can't do it. Can cycle and row for quite a while, but running just kills me. I find it much easier to stick the headphones in and go for a long walk, i can walk all day, no problems (At a decent pace too, 4-5mph i think) and actually enjoy it...and it's free

Treadmill - Walk, run all day
Rowing Machine - Swing your hands around, perhaps give a kid a push on the swing.
Weights - Lift and 'drop' your computer case or even your old TV/ CRT monitors(surely a few Kgs.) Or carry an extra heavy bag to work/school.

Not forgetting the usual and regular press-ups and chin-ups...

All of these can do done anywhere and without having to quene for and wait for equipment.