10 Workouts For Those Who Just Can’t

I just can’t when it comes to working out. I truly hate working out, but when it comes to staying healthy and fit, that’s almost impossible to do without working out. I have found ways to actually workout, even when you don’t want to. These are ideal for the lazy girl, or the person who really doesn’t workout.

1. Walking

I hate running, absolutely hate it, I literally feel like I am dying when it happens. The moment I start running my entire body feels like it’s shutting down; I can’t breathe, my head starts pounding, my limbs get all red and sweaty and I usually have to stop like fifteen minutes in. It’s not a good enough workout, so I started trying to do something I actually could do, so that I could get a better workout in. I started walking with a high incline when I’m on the treadmill to help burn off more calories. I find that I can walk forever but run for only a few minutes, so by walking I can actually get a better workout in since I’m able to do it so much longer. Walking with a friend is a great way to catch up but also get a workout in.

2. Leg Raises

When I was younger I would literally sit on my couch and watch TV and do theses. You just lay on your side and lift your leg up and down, to get a better workout in you’d want to change the directionality as well as moving your legs in a circular motion. This is so easy to do and doing several reps of this will actually be really good for your thighs and are easy to do while just watching TV or lying around the house.

3. Arm Raises

Simply doing arm raises with weights is a simple and easy workout that won’t make you feel like you’re dying. You can do a few reps of this while listening to your favorite podcast or waiting for your laundry to finish drying. Using real weights is the best way to do this, but if you don’t have real weights you could use books to add to your workout.

4. Sit Ups

Basically any ab workout can be done from home and made to fit with your own level of fitness. From full sit ups to crunches this can be modified any way. Doing these for a few reps once a day can make a huge difference in the long run. Do this right before bed or right when you wake up, schedule it out to match your routine so that you can get this to be one of your regular workouts.

5. Jumping Jacks

This my feel like middle school P.E. all over again but these are a quick and easy way to get in some cardio. You can do these from anywhere and do them in-between one of the other workouts above for a full body workout. Do some of these while binging that new show you’re obsessed with so you don’t feel completely lazy. It’s easy to do and one of the least painful options when it comes to workouts.

6. Jump Rope

If you want something that’s fun to distract you from the fact that you’re working out, jumping rope is a perfect solution. It’s actually a really good workout and targets several parts of the body for an all over workout. You can do individual jump rope or get one of those huge jump ropes and have your friends join you in your workout. You’ll forget you’re even working out.

7. Yoga

Now, depending on the kind of yoga you do, will depend on the level of workout you have. Hot yoga is going to be more intense physically and if you’ve never done yoga before, this is not very beginner friendly. But yoga is perfect for those who hate working out but need to move some and get some mental clarity. Yoga comes in many forms from beginner to very intense. Doing this one a week can bring a sense of calm but will also make you feel physically stronger as well. Every time I do yoga I want to do some kind of cardio after because I feel so energized and balanced after.

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8. Spinning

Listen, I really thought this was the most friendly workout option for those who just can’t but this can get really intense. It sounds easy, you sit and ride a bike, but I once took a spinning class and had to leave in the first fifteen minutes to throw up and I never returned. But you can customize this workout to make your level of fitness, just don’t take a class for it. Think of it like you’re taking a leisurely bike ride along the beach, it’s still a workout but won’t make you think you’re about to die.

9. Lifting

I am 5’2, just barely 100 pounds so lifting never seemed like a logical option but I tried it once with a friend who actually knows how to workout and they had me just do really small weights to tone up muscle. I may be small but almost every part of me is fat because I just really hate working out. This was actually much easier than I thought, she gave me weights that would be heavy enough to have an effect but not too heavy that I would either get hurt or just quit. It’s a great option for those who just want to tone up a bit or those who really just hate cardio.

10. Stretching

Now, this doesn’t really even qualify as a workout to me but I will say this is absolutely necessary for working out. Stretching is really the starting point and ending point of each workout, when I was at my peak of actually working out, I sometimes spent more time stretching than actually working out. It was a way to monitor how my body was feeling that day and it was always relaxing to me. Although you can make this more intense, it’s really meant to be an asset to your workout. But if all you did with your day was stretch and that’s more than you usually do, progress is progress and be proud of yourself for actually moving.