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8 tips to make exercising fun (if it isn’t already)

7 minute read

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Published 11 April 2024

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  • Try something new
  • Boost your incidental exercise
  • Buddy up!
  • Try a team sport
  • Be kind to yourself

Key takeaways

  • Start any new exercise slowly and build up your time and intensity gradually to avoid injury and burnout.

  • Try buddying up with a friend or joining a team to keep you interested long-term.

  • Find an activity you enjoy. Whether it’s walking, dancing, or swimming, all activity will help to keep you healthy.

Being active is one of the best things you can do for your health, but it can be hard to get motivated to move more if exercise isn’t your thing. Injecting a little fun can make it more appealing.

More than half of Australian adults don’t meet the government guidelines for daily exercise, which is 2.5 hours of moderate or 1.25 hours of vigorous activity per week.1

For many people, this lack of consistent exercise might come down to the simple fact that working out isn’t all that enjoyable.

The solution?

“Make exercise fun!” says Rich Green, Exercise Physiologist and Bupa Healthcare Programs Manager. “When exercise is enjoyable, it becomes something you make time for.”

Forget the gym if it isn't your thing

For many of us, starting a fitness journey begins at the gym. Research has found around 6.2 million Australians have gym memberships, but half of those surveyed go to gym just once a week or less.2

If sweating it out at a gym simply doesn’t appeal, find an activity that does and save yourself the cash! You could even try doing a workout at home.

Discover activities that you actually enjoy

Exercise doesn’t have to mean pumping iron in the gym or running a marathon. If you’re moving your body anything counts. Dancing, swimming, walking the dog, or even housework and gardening can help keep you active. Find something that doesn’t feel like hard work and you’re more likely to have a bit of fun with it.

Try something new

Finding an activity that’s enjoyable enough to make a consistent part of our fitness routine can be difficult. It’s a good idea to try out a few different things to see what works and what doesn’t.

Exercise can be any activity that elevates your heart rate.

Think outside the box and consider:

  • throwing a frisbee
  • hiking
  • rock climbing
  • yoga
  • hula hooping
  • boxing.

It's not all about weight loss!

You might be exercising to reach a goal, like losing weight, or you might simply be trying to improve your fitness.

While goals are a good motivator for getting active, it’s worth reminding yourself of all the other benefits that come with regular exercise. These include things like:

  • feeling happier
  • building muscle strength
  • having healthier skin
  • reducing your risk of getting a chronic disease like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, obesity and heart disease.

There are also benefits that might be less obvious.

“Those who exercise regularly may report better sleep, increased concentration and clarity, less breathlessness, and changes in their body composition,” says Green.

Boost your incidental exercise

Incidental exercise is physical activity like walking around the house, going to get your coffee or commuting to work.3

“Incidental exercise requires a conscious shift to think and remember that small choices can make a big difference,” says Green.

These small choices might include parking your car a little further from where you’re heading, taking the stairs instead of the lift or cleaning the house a little more thoroughly. It can also help to use a tracking device or health app to keep on top of your daily steps and activity minutes.

Buddy up!

One of the easiest ways to add a little bit of fun to your fitness is exercising in pairs or groups.

“It can help you (and the people you’re with) hold each other to account,” says Green. “Exercising with others may also reduce your risk of loneliness, while offering a chance to socialise with friends.”

Try a team sport

Being part of a sports team can be a lot of fun and great motivation. After all, no one wants to let the team down!

“You get the benefits of the physical workout, but you also get that social connection,” says Green.

Look online for local sports community clubs or teams who might be looking for extra players, or try to get a team together yourself.

Be kind to yourself

When you begin your exercise journey, it’s recommended you start slowly and gradually, and set realistic goals along the way to avoid getting bored or injured.

“It's important to ease into exercise to avoid injuries and burnout,” says Green. “Consistency, not perfection, is key to building a strong foundation.”

Green says that it’s best to set achievable goals that you can work towards as you build strength and confidence. “Achieving these smaller milestones will boost your long-term motivation.”

And remember, the goal is to stay active for the rest of your life. So, if exercise is a journey without a destination, it’s important that you enjoy the ride.

At Bupa, trust is everything

Our health and wellbeing information is regularly reviewed and maintained by a team of healthcare experts, to ensure its relevancy and accuracy. Everyone's health journey is unique and health outcomes vary from person to person.

This content is not a replacement for personalised and specific medical, healthcare, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your health, see your doctor or other health professional.   

1Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care. (2021). Physical activity and exercise guidelines for all Australians. Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care.

2Lloyd, A. (2021). Financial treadmill: Aussies wasting $2.4 billion on unused gym memberships. Finder.

3Queensland Health Dietitians. (2008). What is incidental activity?. Queensland Government, Queensland Health.

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