Starting any kind of exercise for the first time can be intimidating. It’s easy to look at professional athletes or even just the people we find attractive and think: “I’ll never be like them, so what’s the point?” However, everyone has to start somewhere. You don’t have to run a marathon to be fit; all you need is a single exercise to boost your health.
This isn’t a magic cure-all or a fashionable new routine, it’s simple science. Plenty of studies have proven that even a small amount of exercise can have major health benefits.
Even the smallest amount of exercise will give you some health benefits, although for the best effect it must be combined with a sensible diet. Here are some options for you to consider; taking these up a few times a week could make you healthier than you might expect!
Yoga
This exercise has become more and more popular in recent years, and there’s a good reason for it: you can do it anywhere. Whether you choose to do a class at your local gym, get a bit of fresh air in your nearest park or even just unroll your mat in front of the TV, you can treat yourself to a yoga session with ease.
It’s a nice gentle way to get a great workout, as there’s no running, jumping or lifting weights involved. All you need to do is stretch, and you can find plenty of free workouts on the internet to show you what to do. Most people find it intensely relaxing, so why not give it a go?
Walking
Think of your weekly travel schedule; are there any routes where you typically drive or take public transport, but could feasibly walk? If so, allocate yourself some time and take a stroll. Hopefully this shouldn’t take too much longer than your usual journey time, so it won’t take a major chunk out of your week.
Walking can be difficult over long distances, particularly if you have a hilly route, but it is also gentle on the body and easier to get into. It’s also a good one to do recreationally, with plenty of beautiful countryside around the UK you can hike across. What’s more, you can easily transition into jogging once you find walking a bit too easy.
Dance
You might be under the impression that dance is something you have to do in a class in front of lots of people, which can be an intimidating thought. However, this is not the only way you can get down and boogie. There are plenty of options for learning how to dance in your own living room, from DVDs to online video workouts.
Dance can be a great entry-level exercise precisely because it is so fun. You will forget that it’s technically hard work, because you’ll be moving around to your favorite songs and having such a good time.
Exercise might seem intimidating to you, but to reap the benefits you don’t have to become a gym nut. In fact, a small amount of exercise can go a long way.
