By:
Lisa Zeigel

There is a saying that goes, "You don't play sports to get fit – you get fit to play sports." One of the main reasons for this is that you have to be in some kind of good physical shape to play a sport in order to avoid injury. This is very true as, the body must be prepared for the unique demands of any given sport, such as, say, softball, where sudden bouts of running, twisting, turning, throwing, and catching can result in a good deal of pain the next day. In fact, I do consider myself to be pretty fit, but after being recruited to play for the company softball team, doing all those moves and then feeling that pain (only too well) for myself, I could only wonder how anyone in not-as-good-shape could possibly survive an entire season.

Playing sports may not be the best way to get in shape, but there are ways to play, have fun, and get fit. You might have heard of this "fitness-as-play" concept, but if not, you might soon, as more and more fitness clubs are incorporating game-like workouts into their class schedules. Games you enjoyed as a youngster are becoming popular among adults. For instance, there is resurgence in the popularity of the game "Dodgeball", and you can find this game offered as a class in some clubs (using kinder, softer balls). Fitness classes using balls, jump ropes, even hula hoops can be found all around. For the more adult-minded exerciser, you can even bump and grind yourself fitter with "Striptease Aerobics."

I remember taking a class billed as "Boot Camp" but instead of doing endless push-ups and jumping jacks, I found it to be more a mixture of relays, obstacle courses, and unique activities that were challenging, yet fun. We lined up and had to make our way across the group exercise studio walking like ducks, which sounds funny, but is actually very challenging. We threw balls back and forth to each other, and we ran through aerobic bench risers set-up in a zigzag pattern to challenge our agility. And there were lots of laughs in between the huffing and puffing.

Why make exercise seem like a lark? Shouldn't we be focused on our workout, concentrating on our breathing, mindful about the muscles we're working? Well, the truth is some people can do that with no problem, but a lot of people hate exercise. Maybe hate sounds like too strong a word; still I hear it all the time. If you can make a workout fun, and keep someone who is at risk for dropping out coming back for more, then what's wrong with making it seem like fun and games?

Here are some of the ways workouts can be set-up as games:

Set-up teams and compete

For example, have a "Team A" and a "Team B" attempt to outdo each other in number of push-ups, or beat the other's time in getting through an obstacle course, run relay races while passing a medicine ball, etc.

Create fun themes

Base the workout on a board game, like Monopoly. You can have players "roll the dice", and then progress around a room set-up like the board game. Some stations can be an activity, like jumping jacks, and some can be a reward, like a 15-minute massage, or a health-food store gift card. Landing in the wrong spot will result in jail, which could be doing extra cardio (but be careful about not making it seem like real punishment).

Many health clubs do instigate competitive activities as incentives for members to not only work out, but to try different offerings at the club that they may not try otherwise. I conducted one during the 2000 Summer Olympics where members had to participate in different "events" and strive for their personal best in each, instead of focusing on besting an opponent. At the end of the promotion, we held a party with everyone participating receiving his or her own medal just for their effort. Everyone came out a winner.

There are challenges you can do by yourself on-line, such as Discovery Health's National Body Challenge, which challenges you to set a goal for weight loss, fitness, etc., and gives you tools to reach it.

One new way to exercise and play that is really taking off in popularity is the exercise-oriented video game. Games based on boxing, tennis, and soccer can really get the heart rate going. This is great because you will most certainly get kids involved, and adults can play right alongside them. As these become further developed, we might expect to see arcades becoming more like fitness centers. Now if they would only have apples and carrot juice available there instead of soda and candy.

Well, maybe that's just a dream for now. But you can see that by using a few innovative ideas, fitness can be fun and games, and who doesn't like to play games and have fun?

Lisa Zeigel is a personal trainer and a group exercise instructor who has been involved in health and fitness for more than 20 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Cal State University, Dominguez Hills, and is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a health and fitness instructor and as a National Academy of Sports Medicine personal trainer. She has created unique wellness education programs and has taught healthy lifestyle classes for her local community. Currently, Lisa works with all types of clients and particularly likes to focus on new and returning exercisers, combining cutting-edge techniques with the tried-and-true. Most of all, she strives to make exercising fun and easy to integrate into each individual’s lifestyle. You can contact Lisa at fitgrrl@operamail.com.