Written By Jeffrey Spaeth, L.M.T, C.P.T.

Bored of using the treadmill, elliptical machine and bicycle every workout? If the answer is yes, then it’s time to try something different!

Animal Inspiration

Alternative workouts can bring the fun and excitement back into working out! These exercises can include using animal movements such as a monkey, lion, horse or any other animal. Tune into the next episode of Animal Planet and use your imagination to come up with a new movement. Getting “primal” on all fours can be fun and exciting at the same time. You’ll likely work a set of muscles in a different way, and go ahead and laugh at yourself! Remember you may have made some of these same movements in preschool!

Don’t forget about the traditional sit-up and other basic exercises.

Back to Basics

Using your own body weight sounds simple, but you can be very creative and work out all major body parts with simple “old school” methods. Yes, I’m talking about push-ups, sit-ups, pull ups, walking lunges, standing squats etc. These are still the tried and true basic exercises and nothing is wrong with bringing back traditional techniques.

Paddleboarding combines strength training with cardio and flexibility.

Extreme to Graceful

Paddleboarding combines strength training, balance cardio fitness and flexibility. We have a benefit in this area of Florida since Golden Ocala is close to great places to paddleboard like area springs along the Silver River, Rainbow River and the Ocklawaha River along with Lake Weir. Paddleboarding is a minimal impact, full-body workout. Your core gets an extreme workout. Check out ultimate Frisbee, a sport I think is excellent for exercise.

Tai Chi offers a minimal impact alternative workout.

Tai Chi is another alternative form of exercise and is great for the mind and soul!  Everyone is so busy, we need time to decompress! So be creative and keep moving!

Look for other great workout tips by following the fitness blog and connecting with us on the Facebook and Twitter accounts for Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club.