You’re much more likely to exercise when you’re doing something you enjoy, right? Sports work for some of us; for others, just getting outside for a walk or bike ride feels best. But if you haven’t yet found something that gets you motivated to move, it’s time to try out new possibilities until you find your fit. Here’s how.
Look for the “wow” moment
Your Weekly shares tips on discovering a new activity to try. To start you brainstorming, think about things you’ve considered in the past, or that seem interesting now. Or revisit activities you enjoyed at different ages and stages in your life — perhaps roller skating, jumping rope or swimming, for instance. Take a moment to imagine what activities you’d like to do if nothing stood in your way, or those you’ve seen and thought to yourself, “Wow, that would be a blast!” Swing dancing, hiking, boxing, softball, fencing, Pilates, Zumba … the possibilities are endless.
As you narrow down your list, you might imagine that a certain type of person does yoga, or rock climbing, or volleyball, or weightlifting, and that you wouldn’t fit the mold. Keep an open mind! In reality, you’ll likely discover a lot of diversity in nearly any activity, as well as beginner classes for people just like you to dip their toes in.
Fight fears with facts
Got something in mind? That’s great, because the next step is to overcome the barriers we all face when trying new things. That includes nervousness about how it will go, or about the unfamiliar lingo, equipment, or movements involved. You might also have worries about whether you’ll be welcomed by the other participants. Whatever your barriers, the key is to lower them by doing some research beforehand.
Start with the web and find out where and how you could try this activity. It could be a beginner class offered at a nearby community centre, gym, or park, or perhaps there’s a group dedicated to that activity that specifically welcomes new people. Keep in mind, you don’t have to sign up and participate right away — it’s perfectly fine to go and observe first. Commit to a day and time when you’ll simply scope out the scene.
While you’re there, you might be able to ask questions of instructors or other participants. They might tell you what equipment you need, what you should wear, and other tips that may not be obvious to someone new. Any advance intel can help ease your nerves before you try the activity.
Set the date
Next, you’ll want to choose a day to give it a go. Consider inviting a friend, since you’re less likely to back out if you’ve committed with someone else. (And if you feel nervous, at least you’ll have someone to share the experience with.)
If you end up liking what you tried, schedule a specific date and time for a second session. And if you don’t like it, that’s ok, too — you can repeat the steps with more activities until you find your fit.