Easy Ways to Exercise (No Gym Required)

Quick Win

No gym? No problem. From walking to pickleball to online classes, there are endless ways to exercise. Incorporate one or more of these activities into your regular routine.

Try This Today

• Walk. Your neighborhood sidewalks or a nearby path or trail make the perfect setting for a brisk walk.
• Hop on your bike. Take a spin around your neighborhood or on a bike path.
• Play tennis or pickleball. Meet a friend (or several!) at a nearby court. You’ll get the benefits of socializing and exercise.
• Try a streaming fitness class. You can find aerobic, strength and flexibility workouts online for free, through a subscription service (such as a cycling app) or from AARP. Do your research, and make sure the class is geared to beginners if you’re just starting out.
• Do body-weight exercises. Exercises like lunges, squats and push-ups can be done in the comfort of your living room. Body-weight exercises don’t require weights and can be done in small spaces.

Why

Getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, and two to three weekly strength-training sessions, is beneficial for overall health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As for cognitive health, both everyday movement (like walking and using the stairs) and purposeful exercise are beneficial, according to AARP’s Global Council on Brain Health. And you don’t have to go to a gym to reap the benefits. There are many things you can do around your own home and neighborhood.