These Group Fitness Activities Provide Fun and Good Health

No matter how good you get at running on the track or lifting weights, any good workout will get stale. If you work out at the gym during the week but want something different on the weekends, strive for outdoor exercise and group exercises you can enjoy. To enjoy staying in shape with friends and family, consider skipping the exercise class and heading out to enjoy a fun event together. Not everyone will be able to fully enjoy every exercise class; fitness levels vary from person to person, and the goal is fun, not winning. This adjustment and focus on activities that anyone can enjoy is particularly effective when trying to get out and have fun with the children in your life. Rather than feeling like a competition, you can enjoy a fun day exploring the great outdoors whether on foot or on wheels, cleaning up your neighborhood, or beautifying your yard.

1 - Go for a Hike

Check your region for hiking trails and meet up with friends at the nearest trailhead. Many hiking trails offer a simple, intermediate and intense option. Then often come in one, three or five mile options. To make sure that everyone has a good experience without getting overloaded, consider setting up two arrival times. Friends who want a more intense workout can show up early and jog the shortest trail, then the whole group can get together for a community walk on the intermediate trail. For friends who don't enjoy the great outdoors, consider pitching in a little cash so your non-sporting but very fun friend can be in charge of bringing in water and fresh fruit or granola bars for snacks.

2 - Break Out The Bike

One of the wonderful things about group bicycling goals is that riders of all ages can participate in your bicycling plans. For example, a trip to the park with your teenager can mean two bikers of decent skill, or you can slowly cycle with a smaller child using training wheels. If you can include the older child in the training process, the more skilled cyclists can put in some longer, harder rides as someone stays with the inexperienced rider. A pair of cycling parents can stagger their trip to the bicycle trails; Dad can go out early and log some serious miles, then meet Mom and children at the park for the younger riders, then Dad can bring everyone home while Mom burns up some miles. During all of these trips, more skilled riders can mirror great behaviors that will keep the youngest cyclists in your clan safe.

3 - Volunteer and Clean Up the Neighborhood Together

Have you ever noticed, while walking through your neighborhood, that there is garbage next to the sidewalk or against a fence? Why not get some friends together, grab some gardening gloves and a trash bag and go out and do some clean up. This activity will require you to bend, stretch, grasp, and twist. You will be working your core, your back, your arms, and your legs. Best of all, you will be making a difference in your neighborhood. If bending isn't easy for you, invest in a trash pickup stick or a long handled collapsible rake that you can easily use to draw garbage into your trash bag. Is this your job? No. Is it your neighborhood? Yes! Additionally, you can get in a decent workout as you change how the world sees your area and shows your children how to take pride in their area.

4 - Invite Friends For Some Gardening/Home Improvement

An early morning gardening project that helps you beautify your yard while you get in a great workout before the heat gets too intense. If you know of a young homeowner who wants to know more, invite them to join you and share your plants with your new helper. In addition to gardening, consider getting together with friends to do home improvement projects. Trimming trees, putting up fences, cleaning gutters, painting your home, and cleaning the pool are all projects that can be both exhausting and dangerous on your own but be manageable if not fun with friends and loved ones. Again, this is a project that can use people of various skill sets and physical abilities. If you're cleaning gutters, your friend who doesn't like heights can foot the ladder. When it comes time to dig up a new vegetable garden, your formerly fearful friend may be a fiend with a shovel. Carefully monitor the time invested and be ready to stop if folks are too tired. Finally, remember to provide water and healthy snacks!