When the Going to the Gym Gets Tough: 4 Unconventional Exercise Ideas

It’s probably no secret that most of us aren’t in top physical shape. In fact, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a whopping 80 percent of Americans aren’t getting enough exercise. NJ.com recently posted an article on this topic. Among some of their ideas for unconventional exercise: tending a garden, playing Pokemon Go, and walking the dog.

For those of us working from home, these can be great ways to fit in exercise without going to the gym. To help even more, we’ve come up with our own list of ideas to keep you fit.

Here are four unconventional exercise ideas for flexible workers:

1. Apps

There are a plethora of mobile and desktop apps to help you with your fitness goals. For example, try Move, an app that pops up a reminder on your phone every hour with a short, quick exercise to do.

Sure, you might feel silly dropping and doing 20 pushups in an office building, but when you’re at home, no one (except the dog, maybe) will judge you for getting your fitness in.

2. Standing Desk

It’s been widely touted that sitting all day is killing us. Standing desks are a new trend in the working world to combat this problem.

Whether you splurge on a pricey standing desk or craft one together yourself, incorporating standing into your day will give you great health benefits. Once you’re standing, it’s easier to move around and perhaps do some simple exercise moves at your desk every once in awhile.

3. Run Errands

We’re all familiar with that 2 p.m. slump. Use this time to get out of the house instead of forcing yourself to type up one more report. Running errands is a great way to get your body moving and also check off items from your never-ending to-do list.

Once you’re at the store, park multiple rows back in the parking lot. Take a few extra laps around the store or take the long way to get the items you need. These extra steps will wake you from the mid-afternoon slump and keep you healthier to boot.

4. Walking Meetings

Meetings are an unavoidable reality in the working world. Take your meeting mobile by walking around your neighborhood while on a conference call. Or dust off that treadmill and walk at a comfortable pace.

Even if your meeting is only 20 minutes, that’s enough to get in a mile of walking. You’ll find yourself refreshed and will likely be more attentive during your meeting than if you were sitting at your work desk.

Flexible workers are in a unique position to find and use unconventional exercise ideas when the gym doesn’t work. So take advantage of your flex and get moving!