Ageing is a natural part of life, it is inevitable, but there is also truth in the saying ‘we are only as old as we feel’. Listening to your body really helps head off aches down the ages. 

Gyms can be fairly polarising places: people either love them or hate them. If you are looking to get in shape, working out at a gym can be useful, but what about if the gym is not for you? In that case, you can simply find other alternatives.

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Gyms are not for everybody, but they are not the only places where you can tone up, get fit, and get healthy. Gyms can be intimidating for some or expensive; they can get crowded, and be time-consuming if you consider the time to get there. Luckily, gyms are not the only option when it comes to working out.

Whether you are working out indoors or outdoors, there are still plenty of options for people looking to get in shape, you just need to know where to look and what to do! Here are 3 ways to get fit and healthy without the gym.

Hiking

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One of the easiest ways to get fit without the gym is to take up hiking. Hiking is a great alternative because it allows you to get outdoors and get some fresh air, which does wonders for your mental health. Add to this, the fact that many hiking trails are set amongst stunning scenery, and it is easy to see why hiking is proving to be so popular amongst physically active individuals, especially since lockdown. Hiking is not just good for your mental health, it is also a great form of low-impact cardiovascular exercise, making it ideal for weight management, cardiovascular health, and fitness in general.

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Cycling

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Another fun outdoor activity proven to help shed those extra pounds is cycling. Cycling is a great form of cardio that burns a serious amount of calories, while also toning the muscles, especially in the lower body. If you want to shape and tone your legs and glutes to build a defined and shapely booty, cycling really works the lower body muscles, while also promoting cardiovascular fitness in the process.

Now, you could take up cycling and hit some of the many beautiful cycle trails near you several times a week, or you could just swap the car for a bike and cycle to work or to the local store to pick up a few essentials instead.

Stream-home Workouts

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Thanks to websites like YouTube, finding workouts everyone can perform at home is now easier than ever before.

If you are not keen on working out at the gym, or if you simply cannot work out at the gym, why not exercise in the comfort of your own home instead? Home workout videos are great because they are designed to be done at home with minimal or no equipment at all. From dance workouts and HIIT, to bodyweight circuits and yoga, finding workout videos and programs that you can do at home in your own front room has never been easier.

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If you commit to these workouts and gym alternatives by really giving them your all, you will burn hundreds of calories, tone up, and get an awesome endorphin rush. You will feel better than ever before without the gym.

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One look at Gigi Hadid, Adriana Lima, or Naomi Campbell, and we all swoon instantly, in awe of their blemish-free complexions, glistening smiles, and their unwavering confidence. Their slender physiques deserve the same level of admiration, so women around the globe have always been curious about their, pardon the pun, secrets.

After all, one doesn’t just munch on a carrot and earn that slim, but toned look, nor can we expect our walk to the office to do the trick. Much like with so many other aspects of their career in fashion, their fitness is a matter of dedication, perseverance, and professional support from the finest nutritionists and personal trainers.

However, you can certainly bring some of their coveted fitness tips into your own lifestyle and work your way towards that lean look of youthful vibrancy. From taking steps to refine your nutrition to introducing new workout ideas, you can achieve so much more by following in the footsteps of Victoria’s Secret Angels.  Here’s what you can do!

You’ll Thrive On Versatility

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In fitness, as in life, you’ll find that it’s too easy to get bored with the same old moves and the same old places. Yes, some people do love the comfort of their favorite gym, but it becomes easy to slack off simply because you’ve showed up at all. If you think like a model, getting lazy is not an option if you want to stay lean, thin, and strong. On the contrary, adding diversity into your workouts can be the perfect way to beat boredom, stay motivated, and of course, stay on the right track with your fitness goals.

Now a New York supermodel, Maria Borges loves training versatility, so she relies on more than just one, monotonous class. She loves Zumba, but you’ll also find her boxing and working on her Zen in yoga. If you’re the kind of gal to find it difficult to stay loyal to one routine, then adding more options to your menu can be a great way to stay engaged and active while you melt those pounds away.

Balanced Nutrition Is Key

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From Jasmine Tookes to Jacquelyn Jablonski, you’ll find that all Angels rely on healthy, balanced nutrition to stay fit. Most of them do their best to cut out unhealthy, processed foods such as sugary drinks and fast food, while others believe that moderation is key, even if you don’t shy away from the occasional sweet treat. They all agree, however, that protein is crucial, as it helps build lean muscle and burn fat.

In case you’re a vegan, protein intake can be a challenge, since most food sources of lean protein come from meat and dairy. The simplest way to follow this piece of advice is to follow a detailed vegan protein guide that can help you discover the best ways to consume plant-based protein to stay lean and healthy. Pair your protein-packed diet with a strong exercise routine, and you’ll soon be catwalk-ready!

Mix Cardio And Strength

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Whether we like it or not, the simple truth is that the treadmill will sometimes not cut it, especially if you want to reach some very challenging weight-loss goals and keep your physique in check. Once again, Victoria Secret’s finest such as Kelsey Merritt share their wisdom to help you stay on the right track by reaching for those weights, without abandoning your cardio routine! She’s a fan of intense workouts such as boxing, as well, but she favors balancing her workouts with some cardio and strength.

If you’re stuck at home and have no access to weights, you can do bodyweight strength exercises, or you can follow in Jourdana Phillips’s footsteps and use resistance bands. These handy contraptions are multifunctional, easy to adjust to your needs, and ideal for home workouts – perfect when you need an excuse not to train, and they’re just silently judging you from the corner of your bedroom!

Get Graceful And Elegant

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Some workouts are focused on toning your muscles and granting your joints more mobility, which means you can work with the range of motion that you already have. Other workout systems, however, will push your limits in that respect and grant you more mobility, flexibility, and help you move in a more graceful manner. We’re talking about barre workouts, based on the beautiful and challenging moves found in ballet.

Lily Aldridge is one of those models that swear by this particular workout approach, and while she does use ballet to stay fit all year long, she actually elevates her training efforts before a show. Perhaps combining an artistic workout such as this one with something more intense can help you stay fit and reach your goals more quickly.

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These ladies make all of their grace and beauty seem so effortless, but it’s crucial to remember that they invest years of hard work to discover the perfect fitness plan for them. The same applies to you, so you can look for a combination that allows you to stay fit and healthy, but that also makes you happy and elevates your confidence in one fell swoop!