Staying fit in South Florida, admittedly, feels like a necessity when everyone around you seems to be a fitness model. If you’re one of them, great. If you’re not, there’s still plenty of incentive to staying fit – and a multitude of ways to do it. From weight lifting at a gym to interval training exercise classes, South Florida’s fitness community has got you covered.

There are plenty of reasons for it, too. Daily exercise or movement can help improve your mood, stimulate blood flow and keep your joints healthy. It’ll even give you that surge of energy you sorely miss after periods of inactivity.

Now, there are various things you can do to help incorporate exercise into your daily activities (and surely, there’s a YMCA gym near you to help with that).

Gym & Fitness Tips

Create a mindset to move more. Taking time out of your day to squeeze in a quick workout may feel difficult, but first, you need to develop a good mindset to help you focus on overcoming those mental blocks. You’ll need to give yourself reminders that you need to move. In fact, some of those are as simple as the time-tested tactics: taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or parking at the back of the lot to walk to the store, just to name a few. Similarly, if you’ve got a desk job where you’re forced to sit all day, try walking around the office in between meetings or take a walk on your lunch break.

Go for a swim. Incorporating exercise into your daily activities doesn’t have to involve lifting massive weights or grunting near the bench press. Going for a swim is exercise! Almost every day can be a pool day in South Florida, and there are numerous YMCA gym locations with pools on-site. Swimming is a great form of cardio exercise and it also builds muscle, as well as endurance – without over-stressing your joints.

Exercise with some group of people. If you still think of exercise class like an 80s TV show, it’s time to think again. Not only can an exercise class be suited to your specific interests and abilities, but working in groups can encourage you to push your limits, and enjoy the camaraderie in the process.

Join a recreational sports team. Are you a fan of sports? We have good news! Not only are sports a great way to include exercise into your daily routine, but your local YMCA gym offers youth and adult leagues to try on for size. Sports like tennis or soccer are phenomenal for cardio exercise as well as endurance training, and we offer team activities to enjoy the game while staying healthy.

Staying fit in South Florida has never been easier, and we’re here to help you do it! Whether it’s an exercise class or just a place to take a leisurely swim, we’ve got you covered. Learn more about how the Y can help you reach your goals.