It’s the New Year and it’s time (again) for a NEW YOU to shine through. New Year’s resolutions have been a running joke on the internet for the past decade or so now. Even among Tokyoites, people joke about how everyone says they’ll go to the gym for real this year, every year. And how they’ll get healthy and get themselves ready for beach season. But very few people actually a) follow through and b) keep the habit. There’re plenty of alternatives for going to the gym to get healthy and fit, however, and luckily they’re a lot easier to commit to and (for the most part) cheaper too.
In this article, we’ll talk about The Tokyo Life’s Top 3 Gym Alternatives to help you get in shape and get in on all that good health that everyone keeps talking about.
Bodyweight Exercise / Calisthenics
Let’s admit it, going to the gym is not easy. It’s a lot of hard work. Literally. And when you’re just starting out, you especially don’t want a bunch of strangers watching you struggle. It’s human nature to feel insecure, so don’t feel bad if you do.
And do I even need to mention that gym memberships cost a lot (around ¥7,000 at least, to go as much as you want in a month)? Moreover, some people are further demotivated by the fact that they wouldn’t even know WHAT to do once they get there. So, you sign-up, you pay up, but then what? Personal trainers cost extra, which most people either won’t be able to afford or won’t feel entirely sure about committing to in the first place.
This is where bodyweight exercise comes in. You know, that thing soldiers do while the drill sergeant yells his head off? But you won’t need a group, or even someone to shout at you to get started. All you’ll need is your body and some space to work in. The former being something that everyone already has, and the latter of which, thankfully, isn’t that hard to find. Easy!
Bodyweight Workout Apps
There are plenty of apps like Home Workout – No Equipment (available on both Android and iOS) to get you started on your fitness journey.
And they’re very accessible to everyone too; most are free (or have free content) and they’re good for different fitness goals. Plus, they’re easy enough to use for beginners and an excellent way to get you started on the habit. They usually have set courses, each targeting different muscle groups, but you can also set your own routines. Home Workout – No Equipment, for example, has the 7×4 Challenge to help you ease your way into harder and harder workouts by slowly building up your endurance.
For the more hard-core, apps like Freeletics (Android|iOS) and 8fit (Android|iOS) afford better functions like customized workout plans, health tips, and even meal plans for a more rounded fitness journey. All you need to do is sign-up in the app to get started for free. And although these apps are free to use, you can unlock better plans and features for an extra fee.
Finally, for people gunning to become a Norse god, Chris Hemsworth released his own fitness app, Centr, last year which puts his personal team of fitness experts within reach. The app (available on iOS) offers a wider array of the same features, each one managed by an expert from the Centr team. So, it’s like any other fitness app, but with the added bonus that you KNOW it’s going to get you the superhero body you want to build.
Regardless of which one you choose though, you’re guaranteed to be paying less than a monthly gym membership in Tokyo with these apps. That’s already a big win, don’t you think?
Sports and Hobbies
This one is kind of a cheat, but hear me out! It’s easier to lump all of them into one category…
It doesn’t matter which one you do, anyway. Whether it’s swimming, hiking, baseball, football, jogging, dancing, bowling, cycling, or anything else. The point is that having an active hobby is a good introduction to a more active and healthier lifestyle.
The idea here is simple. When you’re invested in what you’re doing, you find ways to become better at it, right?
For example, veteran hikers would obviously have higher stamina than beginners and first-timers, built up from repeatedly trekking mountain paths for hours.
But that’s not all, they’re also more aware of their bodies’ needs and how to properly manage them. Things like what and how much to bring, when and where to stop and replenish their energy, are second nature to them. Of course though, this is after careful study and repeated practice. After all, expertise like this is something that comes only from dedication to the craft!
Depending on which one you choose though, sports and hobbies could end up costing more than anything else on this list. But the payoff includes having fun, learning new skills, and making friends, and isn’t that all anyone ever wants in life?
Walk around the City
And finally, the most (or perhaps least) obvious way to live a healthier life, walking.
I’m sure we all agree that the typical 9-to-5 slug can be exhausting. Understandably, anyone would welcome the ease and convenience of public transport after a long day in the office. You get home quick, drop yourself on the couch, and count down the hours till bedtime browsing the internet.
In addition, it’s admittedly not the most realistic option for some people. I mean, not everyone can walk to work and back, even if they did have the time and energy to walk after work.
But it doesn’t have to be all or none. This is your health we’re talking about, after all. You do things at your pace and work your way up. Every little bit helps, remember that.
For example, you can choose to spend time walking through a park and meet all the good dogs on your days off. You can also choose to visit the neighboring town and go through the streets on foot as you look for your new favorite restaurant. You might even choose to take the bus out to Kawaguchiko and take a leisurely stroll around the Fuji Five Lakes.
Shinrin yoku (forest bathing) is another good way to regain control of your health. The point of it is to separate yourself from the stress of daily life and ground yourself again by reconnecting with nature. Restore calm. Relax.
Bonus Tip
For people looking to hit a lower goal weight, if you can stand to be a little bit cold, consider taking advantage of the cool temperature in Tokyo to speed up the process.
According to a 2017 study by Cara J. Ocobock, exercising in cold weather can assist in reducing body mass. The same study does point out that in individuals with already low percentages of body fat, this may instead result in a significant loss in muscle mass instead. So, as with everything else, take caution and don’t overexert yourself.
Whatever your goal may be, slap on your best metal, rock, or even pop playlist and get pumped to take on 2020 your way!
That’s it for our Top 3 Gym Alternatives for the New Year. Which one of these do you plan on doing? Do you have other suggestions for what people can do to get fit and healthy? Let us know in the comments down below!
Photo by Ashim D’Silva on Unsplash.
