5 Ways to Get Active Without Working Out

As much as we love working out, living a healthy lifestyle isn't all about slogging it out in the gym for hours on end. When free time is precious, you shouldn't have to choose between working out or spending time with your friends and family. Luckily, getting active doesn't have to mean hitting the gym, and when it's intertwined with your daily routine it's actually easier to fit in than you might think. 

So to help you fit exercising into your social plans and daily routine, here's 5 ways you can get active without actually working out... 

Go for a Walk

With the same benefits as running without putting so much stress on your body, walking is one of the most underrated forms of exercise and is a great low-impact activity to get you feeling fitter. Instead of hitting the treadmill at the gym, head outside to the park for a breath of fresh air or spend an afternoon exploring London by foot. 

Help out with DIY 

Help a stressed friend move house, finally re-paint your faded kitchen walls or give your Mum a hand clearing out her cupboards. It'll feel good to help the people you care about and will make sure your being a lot more active than if you stayed on the sofa watching Netflix. 

Bike to Work

There is nothing fun about being squashed in between the door of the tube and someone's armpit at 8am in the morning as you brave the Victoria line on your daily commute. Try swapping your usual travel route for a Boris bike instead to stretch your legs and give yourself a bit of breathing space. It'll be such a pleasant change you'll barely notice you're exercising. 

Go Paintballing

Yet another birthday celebration usually means yet another trip to the same old bar. Next time a friend's birthday comes around, how about doing something different and arranging a paintballing session with your friends. It'll be a refreshing change from having drinks at a bar and you'll be so distracted by trying to shoot down your friends you won't even realise how active your being! 

Play Games in the Park

Summer is in full swing here in London and weekends are becoming filled with plans for picnics and catch ups with friends in the park. Bring a football, frisbee or rounders bat to your next BBQ to get everyone up and running about - there's nothing like a good bit of friendly competition to get your activity levels soaring!