Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before making any changes to your health regimen.
Are you tired of the same old gym routine? Do you find yourself counting down the minutes until your workout is over? If you're nodding along, you're not alone.

Many of us have been through the fitness ringer, trying every exercise under the sun, only to find that much of it feels like a chore.

But what if we told you there's a way to build a fitness habit that you'll not just endure, but actually love? Let's explore how to make exercise a part of your life that you look forward to every day.



At 61, Phil Daoust has come to realize that exercise is essential for slowing down the body's natural aging process. But let's be honest, not all forms of exercise are created equal. Some are downright unpleasant or just not our cup of tea.

Phil, for one, has a strong aversion to Bulgarian split squats and finds the static bike about as exciting as watching paint dry.

However, there's a silver lining. There's bound to be an activity out there that makes your heart sing.

For me, it's the thrill of running, the tranquility of lake swims, the balance of yoga, and the exhilaration of anything snow-related.



And let's not forget the simple pleasure of a good walk. But above all, calisthenics has stolen my heart with its challenging gymnastics rings and handstands that demand strength and control.

You might think you're not good at the activities you enjoy, but that's not the point. The key is that you're having fun and staying active.

Whether it's before dawn or in the hallway while the family watches TV, if you're moving your body in a way that brings you joy, you're on the right track.

Fun is the secret ingredient to a lasting fitness habit. Kelly Cho, a calisthenics instructor from east London, knows this well.

Also read: Reverse aging now: Discover the exercises that defy the common physical decline!



Her beginner-friendly classes are a testament to the idea that love for an activity is what carries you through the days when motivation is low.

Lucy Joslin, another calisthenics instructor, echoes this sentiment. She believes that leaning into what you enjoy is crucial, especially when it's hard to get out of bed on a cold, rainy morning. Exercise should bring joy; otherwise, what's the point?

Tiffany Soi, a yoga movement coach and former competitive rock climber, adds that life is full of obligations. If exercise feels like just another chore, you'll quickly lose interest.

But when it's playful, you'll stick with it. Tiffany plans to climb until she's at least 100, and that's the spirit we should all aspire to.



Unfortunately, the fitness industry often misses the mark by pushing what they know rather than what might bring us joy.

Personal trainers might have the best intentions, but if they're not helping you find the fun in fitness, they're not serving you well.

Michael Ulloa, a personal trainer from Edinburgh, suggests that people can fall in love with different forms of exercise if they're introduced to them in a healthy and enjoyable way.

“People can be won over by different forms of exercise if they are shown a healthy and enjoyable way to undertake them, but I would treat that as an add-on once you’re consistent with exercise. Get your body moving regularly, see how it feels doing it for a while, and then you can worry about any extras that might further improve your health.” he said.



Even the most enjoyable activities can't cover all the bases. You'll need to supplement your favorite exercise with others to support and balance your body.

For example, if you love football, you should also be doing exercises to prevent knee injuries and strengthen your upper body.

Laura Williams, owner of Mat Pilates ATX in Austin, Texas, warns, “Things go wrong when the thing we love to do becomes the only thing we do.”

She found that pilates complemented her passion for dancing and allowed her to continue without pain.


If you're worried that adding “extras” to your routine will take away the fun, fear not. Lucy Joslin suggests finding activities that cover all your bases, like joining a netball club if you used to love the sport.

And if there's an exercise you dislike, try doing it with friends to make it more enjoyable.

To help you find the right balance, here are five activities you might love and how to supplement them:

1. Weight Training

• Pro: Builds muscle mass and improves bone density. Add some cardio, like walking, to round out your routine.
• Con: “It will have less of an impact on heart and lung health than traditional cardiovascular exercise (running, swimming, cycling, etc). This does depend on how you train, though, as more circuit-based weight training can provide good benefits for both.” It can also injure the knees, lower back, and shoulders.
• Ulloa recommends, “My advice is simple: get walking. Walking is an excellent low-intensity, low-injury-risk, easily accessible form of exercise that we can all benefit from.”

2. Cycling

• Pro: Excellent for cardiovascular health and leg strength. Incorporate stability work with pilates to prevent injuries and maintain mobility.
• Con: It can cause “shoulder dysfunction caused by all that time hunched over the bars, lower back and knee pain, weak back extensors, tight hip flexors … If you cycle without any form of cross-training, you are likely to get injured.” said Georgia Vaines, triathlete.

• Vaines advises, “Work on your stability. Pilates is a fantastic tool for cyclists because you are going to strengthen the core stabilisers of the pelvis and spine, mobilise your hips and your thoracic spine, and restore elasticity to muscles such as the hip flexors. This is also going to help you carry your groceries to the door without shoulder pain and swing your grandkids without herniating a disc.”

Also read: Unlock the secret to aging gracefully: 7 must-try exercises (and what to avoid!)

3. Running

• Pro: Fantastic for cardiovascular fitness. Strength training is essential to prevent injuries and build bone density.
• Con: Running can cause injuries including IT band syndrome, plantar fasciitis and issues with the achilles tendon.
• “I encourage everyone, runner or not, to engage in strength training – specifically, lifting heavy. The main areas for strength development are squat, hinge, press and pull variations.” shares Amanda Katz, personal trainer and running coach.

Also read: 6 game-changing habits to regain muscle after 60!


What's your favorite way to stay active? Have you discovered a new passion or revisited an old one? Share your experiences in the comments below!