Make exercise fun: Five easy ways to get 30 minutes of exercise in every day

We all know that exercise is good for our health. Aside from promoting weight loss, exercise can also boost brain power, reduce the risk of chronic diseases and even help us to manage stress. The best part is, you only need 30 minutes of exercise per day to reap all the benefits. With the help of fitness trainer Lisa Mills, we take a look at the easiest ways to get your 30-minute exercise fix every day.

Make exercise a social activity

Exercising with a friend or loved one is a great way to get the ball rolling. It can make exercising more fun and enjoyable, and also help motivate you to stick it out. Lisa recommends going for a walk with a friend or joining a local walking group where they may meet for a coffee at the end — it’s all about moderation! “[You’re] getting both the physica and social aspect,” she says.

Take up an old hobby

Did you dance as a teenager? Or cycle competitively? Lisa recommends taking up an old hobby you once loved. Not sure where to start? She says there’s lot of groups out there doing those same activities, but in a more age-appropriate way. A quick search of the internet will bring up plenty of groups in your local area.

Exercise doesn’t have to be so hard

“Another tip would be not to think that all exercise is vigorous,” Lisa says. Yep, that’s right, exercise doesn’t have to be intense or uncomfortable to be good for you. She recommends incorporating more low-impact activities like yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates into your daily routine.

Give swimming a go

Swimming might just be the best exercise. It’s great for fitness, relieving stress, and most importantly, it’s fun! Not to mention, it’s one of the best ways to keep your heart and lungs healthy. It can also be a great social activity. Not too keen on swimming laps? Why not join a water aerobics class? “Again, it’s got that social aspect and that gentler movement,” Lisa says.

Simple at-home moves

You don’t need to go to the gym to get a great workout. Lisa says you can combine exercise with other activities like watching television or cleaning. She recommends working out during commercial breaks, or setting an alarm to remind yourself to get up every now and then, even if it’s just walking to the letter box or taking some clothes off the line. She also recommends introducing some strength training moves like push-ups, sit-ups and squats into your daily routine as well.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.