Exercising can be fun — really. 5 ways to add more joy to your workouts.

Kaitlin Reilly
·Reporter
·4-min read
A man and a woman smile at each other while riding stationary exercise bikes at a gym.
Working out with a friend can help exercise go from a chore to something you look forward to, experts say. (Getty Images)

Some people get a real high from exercise: They genuinely look forward to hitting the running trail, pushing themselves in a boot camp class or trying a new pose in a yoga class. Other people mainly work out because they know it’s good for them — regular exercise plays a key role in everything from your bone and cardiovascular health to weight management and well-being.

For the rest of us, though, the passion for exercise varies depending on the day: Sometimes we’re all in on a spin class, and other days we’re barely able to peel ourselves off the couch to walk around the block.

No matter where you fall on the spectrum, however, there are ways you can squeeze more joy from working out. Here are five tips from experts.

“Music is a game changer,” Carrie Minter Ebers, the founder of Carrie’s Pilates, tells Yahoo Life, noting that her classes include “high-energy playlists” to keep everyone motivated. At home, she recommends finding your favorite upbeat tracks, or matching the tempo of your workout to the beat, which “can make every move feel more dynamic and enjoyable.”

Research has found that exercising to music may help you work out more efficiently, as well as enjoy your experience more. One way to do this is on a treadmill. TikToker Allie Bennett creates treadmill workouts with playlists of artists like Chappell Roan, Taylor Swift or even the cast of Wicked. Each song is associated with a certain tempo, which you can match as you are walking or jogging.

Dalton Grant, a yoga instructor who owns the Light Orchard, a rock ’n’ roll-themed yoga studio in Los Angeles and Ojai, Calif., says that one way to find joy in exercise is to do something new.

“If you usually lift weights, do hot yoga,” Grant tells Yahoo Life. “If you’re bored with HIIT training, go to a climbing wall. Stir the pot, agitate the mixture and keep it fresh. When’s the last time you did burpees for 10 minutes straight with Zeppelin cranking in the background? Just a thought!”

According to a 2020 study, adding some novelty to your exercise routine can keep you more engaged. You don’t have to go for an entirely new type of workout either. If you tend to stick to the same movements while lifting weights, for example, try finding different exercises that engage the same muscles instead. Or if you take the same route for your daily walk, try out a different path.

Studies have shown that working out with other people makes you more likely not only to commit to exercising, but also to enjoy it more. That’s because “working out with friends can transform exercise from a chore to something you look forward to,” Jill Drummond, a personal trainer and director of education and programming at Pilates studio Bodybar, tells Yahoo Life.

“A fitness community brings motivation, accountability and most importantly fun,” she notes. “If you don’t have friends to work out with, consider joining a group like a running club or Pilates studio — they’re great at fostering a sense of community.”

You likely remember the fun of recess games — and never once considered that playing tag or capture the flag was good for sneaking in some cardio. You may be more fitness-aware now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate play into your exercise routine. Studies say play is important for adults’ well-being and has great benefits for mental health, social bonding and, of course, physical fitness.

“Games like double Dutch, relay races, dodgeball or sports and dance are excellent ways to stay active without feeling overwhelmed by the thought of going to the gym or following a structured workout routine,” says personal trainer Jah Washington, owner of Harlem Kettlebell Club.

There are so many reasons to get out and dance, whether that’s in a class at a studio, with friends at a wedding or just alone in your bedroom. Not only can dance be a great cardio workout, but it’s also good for your brain and may even help reduce depression.

And don’t stress if you’re not the world’s greatest mover and shaker — you can reap the benefits of dance no matter your skill level.

“For me, movement is all about self-expression,” Keaira LaShae, founder of the dance-focused workout app If You Can Move, tells Yahoo Life. “It’s not about perfecting every move — it’s about letting the rhythm take over and having fun! Dance allows you to release stress, boost your energy and just be.”

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