

You'll need specific gear such as climbing shoes and a harness, but most places rent them out for low prices - Bay Area-based Ironworks charges $5 for all the equipment you need. There are usually several of these in major cities, and at many places a $60- to $100-a-month membership will also get you access to a conventional gym in the same building as well. What you need: Unless you've been rock climbing for years and are ready to scale a real-life mountain, a climbing gym is the best place to start.

Bouldering is also good if you don't have a climbing buddy, because you don't need someone to belay for you. And, if you're afraid of heights, there's even bouldering, where you climb solo and are never more than 20 feet off of the ground. If you get good at it, you can scale peaks outside, but even beginners can feel the rush of getting to the top of a big wall in a gym. Why it's fun: Rock climbing is adventurous and is great if you love adrenaline. And forget the myth about it being a solely upper-body blaster: proper climbing technique requires you mainly lift yourself with your legs. What it does: Rock climbing is primarily a strength workout, though it'll work your heart, too. Rock climbing walls have different routes varying in difficulty. Read more: Best smart home gym: Peloton, Mirror, Tonal and more Rock climbing So strap on your climbing shoes or squirm into your mermaid tail and get ready to have fun while working out again. They vary in starting costs and ease of access, but hopefully you'll find one that works for you. The exercises listed below are effective but non-conventional ways to stay fit. It'll also help you sleep better and increase your chances of living longer in general. If you've been sedentary for a while, chances are you've been missing out on all the great benefits of exercise, like reduced risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even depression. If this sounds like you, the good news is that there are many other ways you can work out and have fun at the same time. And who are all those people who have fun swimming laps? Whenever I hop in the pool, I can only stare at the black line for about five seconds before I give up. Every time you try to lift weights or run on the treadmill, you almost fall asleep of boredom or pull your hair out because of how tedious it is. You've made it your New Year's Resolution to get fit, but there's only one problem - you hate working out.
