5 Fun Ways to Get Exercise in 2024

Staying physically fit can be a real drag. Doing the same workouts, over and over, always at the same gym. Why do the things that are good for you have to be the least enjoyable? Contrary to popular belief, being healthy doesn’t have to be boring! There are plenty of fun ways to get exercise that will keep both your mind and body engaged and in shape. 

By mixing things up and including entertaining activities in your routine, you won’t even notice that you’re getting a workout. Heck, you might even look forward to staying fit! 

What are the physical fitness trends for 2024, you ask? How do you go about participating in this new era of enjoyable workouts? Read on for the top five ways to get exercise that are actually fun. 

Skydiving: The Thrill of Fitness

Probably the last thing that comes to mind when thinking about physical fitness is skydiving. How could such an adrenaline fueled, out of this world activity be good for your health?? There are actually a ton of health benefits to skydiving, and partaking in the bucket list sport is good for both your body and brain! 

The adrenaline alone gets your heart pumping fast enough to rival any cardio workout, and the different movements and positions you’ll find yourself in during the jump require a certain amount of strength and flexibility. And accomplishing these things while also managing the anxiety of going skydiving in the first place will elevate your self confidence and situational awareness in a way that will stick with you forever. 

And the best part? You won’t even notice all of that’s happening. Skydiving is the ultimate adrenaline rush. So much so that your mind won’t be focusing on anything besides the experience you’re having. Flying through the air brings an intense sense of freedom that doesn’t compare to anything you can do on the ground. It’s a unique experience that will live in your memories for the rest of your life. 

How long does a skydive last? The skydiving process takes about a half hour from takeoff to touchdown: 15 minute airplane ride to altitude, 45-60 seconds of freefall, and 5-7 minute parachute ride to the ground. Overall, you can plan to spend about four hours total with us when you factor in checking in, training, and gearing up. 

Skydiving is also less risky than you might think. As a United States Parachute Association (USPA) Member dropzone, Wisconsin Skydiving Center strictly adheres to all USPA and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and regulations around safety. Our instructors are expertly trained and highly experienced, and all of our gear is regularly maintained by professionals. And your first jump will be a tandem skydive, which is statistically the safest way to make a jump. 

And just like any good workout, you’ll want to dress for success. Skydiving is a lot like other physical activities when it comes to planning your outfit. You’ll want to wear clothes that are comfortable and easy to move around in, but aren’t too baggy. Think yoga outfit. Pair that with sneakers or other lace up, closed-toe shoes, and you’re good to go! 

Pickleball: A Blend of Fun and Competition

Pickleball is the newest sensation sweeping the physical activity world. It can be played indoors or outdoors, and is fairly easy to set up and get started. It’s simple to learn, so it makes for the perfect get-up-and-go fitness activity. 

Pickleball is also highly social, which adds to the entertaining nature of the game. The sport itself is played in pairs, so you get to work with a teammate to achieve goals and (hopefully) win. And whether you’re playing against friends or strangers, a healthy dose of good-natured competition can really elevate the stakes and bring on a new level of fun. 

It’s also a fast paced game that will easily hold your attention. Like ping pong or tennis, the quick back and forth keeps you on your toes, both literally and figuratively. It’s a great way to get some exercise while hanging out with friends and lighting that competitive fire. 

Even better, it’s a low-impact sport that exerts minimal wear and tear on your body. Movements are generally controlled, and the boundaries of the court ensure that the action stays contained. This makes pickleball safe for all ages and levels of ability and allows people to play with all different types of acquaintances. 

How long is a pickleball match? Well, that depends on the players, of course. But, on average, a pickleball match (best of 3) lasts 30-75 minutes. So it’s feasible to think that you could get in several pickleball matches in one day!

The best outfit for pickleball is something that you’re comfortable moving around in, like athletic shorts or pants and a T-shirt. Court shoes or outdoor sneakers are the most appropriate footwear depending on the surface you’re playing on, they even make special pickleball socks if you want to get super serious! 

Indoor Rock Climbing: Challenge Yourself

Rock climbing is an amazing workout for your body that also presents a mental challenge. It’s like problem solving while also getting fit. Figuring out the route up the wall is like doing a puzzle for your body. You’ll finish your session feeling like you exercised your muscles and your mind. 

There’s also an elevated sense of achievement that comes from activities that engage all of your faculties. Not only did you overcome that wall with your strength, you dominated it with your smarts, too! It’s an addicting feeling that will have you coming back for more. 

The best part about rock climbing is that you can be successful regardless of your experience level. Especially in indoor climbing with man-made walls, there are routes of varying difficulties to practice on. So you can do easier walls when you’re brand new and bump it up to the harder ones as you gain experience. Or maybe you like a challenge and want to jump on a difficult route from the start. You can do that, because there’s the rope to catch you if you fall! 

Is indoor rock climbing safe? Like other extreme sports, rock climbers have invested a lot of time and research into making their sport as safe as possible. The harnesses, shoes, ropes, floor mats, and even wall grips are the result of years of trial and error and improvements. Science is as much a part of rock climbing as rocks are, and the gear has been developed to keep you safe!

Climbing gyms also provide guidance from professionals who have been trained to pass their knowledge and safety practices onto you. They’ll be there to teach you all you need to know, and to help you if you get stuck. They want to see you succeed as much as you do. 

Another great thing about climbing is that you decide how long you want to climb for. A typical session is about 1-2 hours long, but the length is really up to you and your body. If you’ve already developed some strength and are feeling good, you can extend your session. Or you can try a wall and call it a day. 

Wondering what to wear for indoor rock climbing? The most famous piece of attire for rock climbing is the shoes, which you can often rent at rock climbing gyms if you don’t want to invest in a pair. Other than that, the typical comfortable athletic outfit is perfect!

Bowling: Classic Fun with a Modern Twist

There’s a reason bowling is the go-to activity for everything from family outings to late night hangouts. It’s an entertaining way to be active while still being able to chill out and socialize. Easy to learn and set up, the game almost plays itself. All you have to do is show up, press some buttons, and you’re ready to start bowling. And people of all ages, abilities, and experience levels can have fun doing it. 

But don’t let that accessibility fool you. Bowling does take some skill, and even a little strength. Bowling balls can weigh anywhere from 6 lbs to 16 lbs, and even carrying it from the rack to the lane can be a full body workout. The repeated frames offer repetition the same way you’d get lifting in a gym. 

But even with the physicality involved, bowling is low risk and can be adapted for any ability level with things like bumpers and ball rollers. Short of dropping a ball on your toe or tweaking your shoulder on a swing, there’s not much risk involved in the sport. That is, as long as you stay away from the slippery floor of the greased up lane! 

Bowling is also a nice, leisurely paced game that will fill a decent chunk of time. A single person can get through a game in about a half hour, but how long is 1 game of bowling for 4? The time increases with each person added, and can take up to an hour or two to complete depending on how focused you are on the game. 

Bowling attire is some of the more versatile sports clothing out there, but you still want to dress comfortably. The most important part is having a pair of bowling shoes, which can be rented at most lanes.

Group Sports: Stay Fit with Friends

What could be more fun than working out with friends? Socializing and having other people to take your mind off the task at hand is one of the best ways to get through a workout without realizing it. And having people to stay fit with opens you up to a wide variety of sports that require multiple participants. 

Adding friends and partners can also up the competition and camaraderie, making the whole thing more of a bonding experience. And there’s nothing more motivating than having a team counting on you for success. Team spirit makes physical activity more meaningful! 

Whatever sport you choose, proper warm ups are key to physical safety. Pulling a muscle is a great way to put yourself out of commission, and that defeats the whole purpose of staying in shape. Also, using proper protective gear for the activity might seem silly, but you want to be in this for the long haul. The only way to do that is to protect yourself from injury. 

Group sports come in all forms, and so do their durations. But in general, a good group physical activity lasts about 1-3 hours. Anything more than that and you’re looking at some serious endurance. 

As with protective gear, attire and equipment varies by sport, but athletic clothing and non-restrictive equipment is always a great place to start. Shoes with laces and traction, and sometimes ankle support, will help keep you on your feet and ready to move. 

Talk with your team to coordinate colors and plan for whatever gear you might need to be successful! 

Are you ready to take the leap and commit to fun-filled fitness? Book a skydive with us today and jump start your exercise journey, literally! Blue skies.