3 Ways to Get In Shape Outside of the Gym

Think you need a gym to get into shape? Think again. The opportunity to get fit is all around you. From rethinking your morning commute to opting for the stairs instead of the elevator, there are dozens of little wins you can achieve each and every day. Work on your fitness goals, sans gym, with these motivational tips and tools:

Bike More, Drive Less

How much time do you spend in your car? Americans spend nearly 300 hours in their cars each year. According to a 2016 survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, we spend an average of 293 hours driving. The time we spend in our cars is equal to seven 40-hour workweeks annually. Ditch the car keys and grab your bike lock instead. On average, cycling burns as many calories as jogging does, but is much easier on your body, including your joints. Biking is also linked to lowered blood pressure, improved coordination and it’s a great way to boost your aerobic and cardiovascular fitness. Additionally, regular exercise, including cycling, can sharpen your memory and prevent cognitive decline. Track your progress along the way by using a calorie burn tracker. These tools will help you get the most out of your rides and give you an estimate of how much you’re burning along your fitness journey.

Work Out with Wearables

In a recent survey conducted by Rackspace, a cloud-computing company based in Windcrest, Texas, 82 of its respondents cited that wearable tech has enhanced their lives. Not only do wearable devices like today’s techy Bluetooth-enabled smart watches and fitness trackers keep us connected to our data more than ever before, these wearables are changing the way we go about our daily activities. Smart watches like the Galaxy Gear S3, for example, are directly connected to the Samsung Health App, which automatically records your daily activities. With the app’s goal-driven programs you can not only work on your healthy habits but keep track of your sleeping patterns and other aspects of your everyday life. Samsung Health also has a social aspect to it, too, as you can connect with your friends by inviting them to a specific challenge or you can compare your fitness results to other users. And when you are wearing a smart watch you don’t have to worry about logging your results or tapping on a program, because all of the data is collected seamlessly. That means you can check your progress whenever you like.

Track Your Meals

Forget the spreadsheets and lose the calculator, meal tracking apps are a much easier alternative when it comes to logging your meals. Losing weight is no easy feat. And experts will tell you that losing weight starts in the kitchen, rather than the gym. Keep track of what you eat with a meal tracking app like MyFitnessPal. Medical studies have shown that keeping a regular food diary doubles a person’s weight loss. The app is easy to use and allows users to quickly add and log meals from across the Web from an index of five million different foods. It even features a variety of restaurant menus and the calorie counts for easy logging. Plus, the app tracks your weight loss along the way, giving you the motivation to keep on track.