Staying active is important. Hopefully we all know that. Sometimes it’s just hard to get motivated to get out and do something, to put in the daily meters or minutes. I was reminded of just how boring fitness can be when I went to visit my sister in Salt Lake for the Thanksgiving holiday. I went as a guest to her globo-gym where I decided to run on the treadmill. No headphones, no TV, no conversation, no competition, no changing scenery. It was the longest 30 minutes of my life. No wonder I was the only one there! How do people do that?!? For any fitness plan to be effective, it needs to be fun.

I always thought I had a pretty good relationship with my own fitness plan, I was engaged in the activity and felt energized about my goals – but the fun factor reached a whole new level once I got a dog. Sport has brought “play” back into my life, and back into my workouts. A walk or a run is no longer just that – it’s an “adventure.” We don’t need to stay on the path, we can take breaks to climb things, jump up onto rocks, wade out into the lake, and do interval sprints after squirrels. We are fit so that we can get better at catching things, running after things, jumping on things, climbing high, and getting back down. Sure – we are working out – but it’s no longer about ticking off 30-60 minutes of this or that, it’s about adding 30-60 minutes of FUN to my day.

Be it walk, run or swim – Sport’s energy and enthusiasm for exercise is contagious. I’ve picked up on his joy to be out on the trail – but it also carries over to my Indoor Rowing, my on-the-water rowing, and everything I do. Every workout is a game. Every workout is play. Outside or in the studio – life is a giant playground, and I’m reminded not to take my own fitness so seriously. The goal in getting fit is to be able to move through life with flexibility, speed, and strength. To be able to play harder, play safer, and play for longer. 

What are you going to do to MOVE today? What are you going to do for FUN?

And who inspires you to get it done and enjoy it?

By Flywheel Coach Sara-Mai Conway