Ideas To Stay Active
Active Rest, also known as, Active Recovery consists of activities that are less strenuous than those you would perform during workout days. These activities can vary from leisure recreation to workouts with the intensity dialed down. The point of days where you are not working out hard toward your fitness goals is to let your body rest and recover in order to heal and come back stronger. (I can hear my brother now, "So why not simply rest and do nothing!") By doing simple body movements you promote blood flow to your body, which in simple terms promotes healing to your muscles and joints. (Meaning you heal and recover faster toward your goals!)
This list is made with a wide variety of fitness levels in mind. For example, a super fit athlete can go surfing and it be a recreational activity, while a less conditioned person might want to garden to get the body moving. Remember it's your body, your speed. Pick something that you will enjoy and that gets your body moving without being too strenuous.
(Ideas all link to examples, equipment, how to, tips, or other fun ideas for the activity)
Start where you stand...and keep on stepping!
100 Ideas for Active Rest Day:
1. Recumbent Bike
2. Take a Walk
3. Dowel Rod Range of Motion Exercises
4. Yoga
5. Tread Water
6. Play Outside with the Kids
7. Garden
8. Friendly Game of Basketball/Volleyball
9. Hit Golf Balls
10. Go Bowling
11. Functional Training Exercises
12. Frisbee Golf
13. Walk the Dog
14. Work on Your Flexibility
15. Tai Chi
16. Seated Low Impact Fitness
17. Hiking
18. Walk Around at the Zoo or Museum
19. Leisure Swim
20. Balance Training
21. Go Dancing
22. Seated March During Commercials
23. Clean the House
24. Go Kayaking
25. Light Resistance Row
26. Visit a Water Park
27. Take the Stairs at Work
28. Play Catch
29. Core Workout
30. Walk the Mall Twice or More before Shopping!
31. Barre Class
32. Dynamic Movements and Stretch
33. Elliptical Machine
34. Go Fishing
35. Walk/Jog Intervals for 30 Minutes
36. Weightless Exercise Movements in the Pool
37. Enjoy Roller/Ice Skating
38. Jump on a Trampoline
39. Birdwatch
40. Do a Charity Walk/Run
41. Put Up/Take Down Holiday Decorations
42. Foam Roll
43. Ride Your Bike
44. Practice Your Tennis Serve and Return
45. Light Gym Machine Workout
46. Paint Your House
47. Jump Rope
48. Pilates
49. Go Skiing
50. Play Miniature Golf
51. Play Active Virtual Game
52. Power Exercises
53. Horseback Riding
54. Take a Tap Dance Class
55. Mow the Yard
56. Alternate walking/swimming in the pool with stretching in the hot tub (if trying to reduce inflammation begin and end with cold)
57. Step Class
58. Go Surfing
59. Try Indoor Rock Climbing
60. Build a Backyard Patio Area
61. Low Impact Plyo Workout
62. Volunteer for a Community Project
63. Take a Walking History Tour
64. Arial Yoga
65. Agility Drills
66. Wash Your Vehicle
67. Go Sailing
68. Chair Qi Gong
69. Zumba
70. Play Ping Pong
71. Turn a Hiking Path into a Trail Run
72. Go Snorkeling
73. Referee for Little League Games
74. Play Washers/Horseshoes
75. Break Up Your Road Trip with a Stop and Stretch
76. Complete a DIY Project
77. Explore a State Park for Landscape Photography
78. Join a Battle Reenactment Group
79. Go Beachcoming
80. Play Dodgeball
81. Pick Fruit at a Local Farm
82. Take a Fencing Class
83. Meal Prep for the Week (Shop, Clean, Cook, & Package)
84. Geocaching
85. Play Racquetball with Your Gym Buddies
86. Play a Musical Instrument
87. Learn Shuffle Board or Curling
88. Baseline Goal Day (Take 3-5 Exercises and Try to Beat Them with Duration, Resistance, or Reps)
89. Participate in Family Picnic Activities
90. Snowshoe or Hike
91. Play Laser Tag or Paintball
92. Body Surf
93. Join a Softball League
94. Participate in Team Building Outdoor Activities
95. Hip Hop Dance Class
96. Play Water Polo or Lacrosse
97. Do an Outdoor Scavenger Hunt with Friends
98. Myofascial Release Workout
99. Be Apart of a Neighborhood Cleanup Project
100. Go Water Skiing or Tubing
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Sole Shaping Blog is written by a nationally certified personal trainer, however, the topics and information given might not be specific for your health and wellness needs. The blog is intended for informational purposes only and not direct health advice. Consult with a doctor before beginning an exercise program or changing your nutritional diet. The blog is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge, but omissions, errors or mistakes may occur.
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