Most people immediately visualise a gym or a fitness centre when they hear of exercise. Some of you may even think of jogging track, a yoga class or simply that little nook in your house you do push ups in. But the fact of the matter is that working out doesn’t mean just ‘exercising’ – it refers to any activity that requires physical effort. OnlyMyHealth editorial team spoke to Miten Kakaiya, fitness coach and founder of Miten Says Fitness, to know about the everyday activities that you can do as a workout.
Everyday activities that you can do as a workout
Truth is, there are tons of everyday activities that can count as a workout if done right, without it even feeling like a workout. These activities help raise our heart rate levels and help us burn calories, without putting on your workout gear or hitting the gym. Here are five everyday activities that you can count as a workout:
1. Taking care of the house
Cleaning the house thoroughly once or twice a week isn’t just hygienic, but is also a great form of exercise. Bending up and down to get to those hard to reach places, mopping the floor, moving things from room to room, climbing up and down places can all do wonders for the heart rate and definitely count as a functional form of exercise.
2. Walking
Now this might seem too obvious, but it doesn’t mean walking with a purpose to exercise. It just means walking – period. Maybe a walk to the general store, to a nearby mall or even in the mall itself. You can walk while talking on the phone, walk with your dog or even by yourself – as long as you’re getting the ‘10k steps’ in, it’s a workout on its own.
3. Playing with kids
Spending quality time with kids keeps you young – mentally and physically. They scurry around and you chase them, you lift them up and give them zoomies, maybe you even push them on swings – all of this really goes a long way in helping you stay fit. If you don’t have your own, use exercise as a great opportunity to be your nephew or neice’s favourite aunt/uncle.
Also read: Check Out The 9 Amazing Benefits Of Regular Exercise
4. Going out dancing
No, this is not an excuse to sign up for a Zumba class (though you should if it really works for you), but even simply going out dancing all night at a nightclub or a bar can help you burn a fair share of calories. You’re on your feet all night, you’re moving and grooving to your favourite tunes, and all in all you’re not only having a ton of fun, but also burning a ton of calories in the process.
5. Making a grocery run
It helps you with everyday activities like carrying your grocery home. But what’s fun is that the grocery run itself is a terrific form of exercise. Going from cart to cart or walking through different aisles helps you get your steps in, post which you carry weights in the form of heavy bags back to your car or your home, which doubles up as functional training and helps you burn the calories.
