Top Tips to Stay Fit Without Going to the Gym

Let’s face it, not all of us have the luxury of being able to go to the gym.  Whether due to distance, financial difficulties, or time-commitments, sometimes going to the gym simply isn’t feasible.  But if you would still like to keep fit without having to go to the gym, then you’ve come to the right article.

Below, we are going to discuss the top tips to staying fit without going to the gym.  This will be both practical and actionable advice that will help you to keep fit and in-shape without ever having to step into the gym.  These tips are not only practical, but they are also relatively simple to do and should be able to help you stay fit and healthy.

Quick Tip

Many times, we may feel demotivated to work out from home due to our inability to accurately measure our body’s response to those efforts.  Intrinsically, for many of us, going to the gym may seem like the only way to fully and effectively burn those extra calories.

That’s why we always recommend purchasing and utilizing a personal fitness tracker.  Fitness trackers have evolved in recent years to not only include heart rate, calories burnt, and notifications from your smartphone, but many can also provide EKG information and irregular heartbeat notifications.

Personally, we highly recommend the Apple Watch Series 7 as our fitness tracker of choice.  The Apple Watch is one of the most advanced fitness trackers on the market and comes with a plethora of additional features to keep you motivated throughout the day.  And if you’re an iPhone user, then the Apple Watch definitely makes the most sense as far as compatibility is concerned.

However, if you are looking for a fitness tracker that is a bit more affordable, then the Amazfit Band 5 is a great option.  Produced by Amazon, this simple, sleek fitness tracker can track your blood oxygen saturation, provide 24/7 heart rate and sleep notifications, and help you to keep track of calories burnt throughout the day.

Lastly, before we purchased an Apple Watch, we utilized a Fitbit Sense.  While the Fitbit brand will provide you with similar information as both the Apple Watch and the Amazfit Band, we really liked the intuitive companion app provided by Fitbit.  Filled with additional information, the companion app is beautifully designed and features rich details that other fitness trackers fail to offer.  Similarly, with Fitbit, you can add friends and compete with one-another on calories burnt. 

Walk When Possible

Perhaps the easiest and simplest way to stay fit without having to go to the gym is to simply walk when possible.  Walking is one of the best forms of exercise and will help you to burn additional calories without much additional effort.

Whether it’s parking your car at the far end of the parking lot or simply walking a few laps around your housing block during lunch, those extra steps will add up.  In fact, a simple hour walk will burn upwards of 360 calories, so even if you walk for just half an hour, you’re looking at an additional 180 calories burnt.

Similarly, you can make walking everyday a habit.  Jot down simple fifteen-minute blocks throughout the day when you’re available to take a quick walk.  When those times come, simply head out and walk for seven and a half minutes one way and an additional seven and a half minutes back to your starting point.

And remember, go at your own pace!  Walking isn’t a race and nor should it be thought of as such.  Try to get in a light sweat but don’t overextend or overexert yourself.

Go for a Swim

If you’re lucky enough to have access to a pool, then going for a daily swim can help you to remain in shape without ever having to go to the gym.  In fact, swimming is one of the best exercises and can help you to burn upwards of 560 calories per hour.

Even more important, swimming is one of the best exercises as it doesn’t place impact on your bones and joints.  And if you’re feeling soreness or joint pain, then aa swim in the pool won’t place additional stress on those joints.  You can also check out our review on the best pool workouts to help you get started.

Utilize Free Classes Online

If you’d like to follow along with a trainer and a specific workout routine, then the internet is one of the best resources to do so.  Simply setting aside half an hour or an hour every day, you can follow along with licensed trainers and fitness professionals online from the comfort of your own home.

Personally, we’ve utilized videos and workout routines from Bully Juice in the past.  He provides simple exercise routines which you can follow along with and many of his videos are aimed at beginners and for people looking to work out from home and without any additional exercise equipment.

Similarly, we’ve previously followed along with Body Project who lays out a simple and effective work out that can be completed in 30-minutes.  The team at Body Project has a great attitude and demeanor and are able to walk you, step-by-step, through the workout and help you to burn those extra calories.

Take the Stairs

Similar to walking when possible, you should also try to make taking the stairs a habit when possible.  Now, we’re not asking you to take a flight of stairs up 10 flights but opting for the stairs over the escalator will help you to burn a few additional calories.  And don’t forget, getting and staying in shape is about losing more calories than you’re taking in, so those additional few calories can help in the long run.

Perform Bodyweight Exercises

Bodyweight exercises are one of the most overlooked exercises.  However, they provide an easy and effective form of exercise and can be done from the comfort of your home.  Bodyweight exercises include push-ups, sit-ups, planks, lunges, and even squats.

Utilizing your own bodyweight as a form of resistance, bodyweight exercises provide you with an easy, effective, and efficient form of exercise that can be done from nearly anywhere and when it’s most convenient for you.

Jump Rope

While many of us may recall our time in gym class, struggling to effectively utilize aa jump rope, jump ropes are one of the best exercises and provide a full-body workout that can burn upwards of 20 calories per minute!  Jumping rope is not only safe and easy, but it is a full body workout, helping you to stay fit and toned across your entire body.

At-Home Spinning Bike

Spinning and cycling have become all the rage in recent years.  However, if you don’t want to join a spinning class or would rather do so from the comfort of your own home, then you may consider purchasing a NordicTrack Commercial Studio Cycle. 

We’ll be honest here; the NordicTrack Commercial Studio Cycle is not cheap.  However, you are able to follow along with both live and prerecorded classes, are able to track your efforts over time, and with a 22-inch HD touchscreen, you’ll feel like you’re in the class.

Purchase Some Basic Fitness Equipment

Now, we’re not saying you need to build out a full-fledged home gym, however we would urge you to purchase a few simple pieces of fitness equipment to help you burn additional calories and build muscle.  These pieces of equipment can be useful for a quick workout and will help you to burn a light sweat, even when you’re away from the gym.

Personally, we recommend purchasing a set of adjustable dumbbells, which can be adjusted in weight from 5-pounds to 25-pounds.  With the adjustable dumbbells, you are able to complete upper-body workouts and lower-body workouts with ease and can adjust the desired weight depending on the exercise and your comfort level.  

Purchase Some Boxing Equipment

Who says working out from home and staying fit while away from the gym doesn’t have to be fun?  Rather, purchasing a simple, standalone boxing bag or punching bag can help you to burn upwards of 558 calories per hour.

And with standalone punching and boxing bags, you don’t have to go out and build a home boxing gym.  Rather, a simple boxing or punching bag, paired with boxing gloves, will give you an effective home workout unlike any other exercise.

At Home Mirror Fitness Equipment

Similar to all the rage in spinning and cycling, at-home fitness mirrors have emerged on the fitness scene and are poised to take over as the go-to at-home workout system.  Fitness mirrors are reflective mirrors, hung on your wall, that allow you to follow along with a live stream while keeping an eye on your own posture and stance during the workout.

Currently, the top two players in the fitness mirror space are Tonal and Mirror.  Tonal, which is endorsed by LeBron James, allows you to complete full-body workouts once you have completed the initial strength assessment and strength score.  And with adjustable weight ranges and included, protruding straps and bars, you are able to fully and effectively work out both your upper and lower body.

Mirror, which is owned by the famed athletic wear company Lululemon, offers similar features to Tonal.  However, Mirror does not include straps which protrude from the device.  Rather, you are meant to follow along and utilize your own bodyweight as a means to get in a full exercise and work out.

While both devices are relatively pricey, they both offer financing options, allowing you to purchase and pay for the device over time.

Go for a Hike

Hiking is, perhaps, one of the best forms of exercise available.  And not only is hiking a great hobby, but it is also a great stress reducer.  Hiking allows you to get in touch with nature and when done with friends, family members, and loved ones, can be a great way to bond with one-another.

And hiking doesn’t have to be difficult.  Rather, start off slow and easy by taking a hike in your local park.  Go at your own pace and explore the nature around you.  Similarly, a brisk hike can burn upwards of 600 calories per hour and is a great exercise no matter your age or fitness level.