You Can Skip the Gym With These 10 Everyday Activities That Count as a Workout - Deepstash
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Can Daily Activities Count As An Exercise

Can Daily Activities Count As An Exercise

Short answer: Yes. "Your body can't tell the difference between bending over to pull out a weed and bending down to pick up a kettlebell," explains Robert S. Herbst , a personal trainer and world champion powerlifter.

So, in short, don't discount all the physical activities that you engage in without intending to exercise. Non-exercise activities are a great way to not only improve your health, but also complete tasks more easily and reduce your risk of injury (no more pulling a muscle carrying the groceries in).

Here are 10 everyday activities that count as exercise, according to experts.

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Yard or Lawn Care

Yard or Lawn Care

Anyone who's ever mowed the lawn by hand in the height of summer knows that it's a true workout. Nunez explains: "Aside from the low impact and cardiovascular benefits, mowing the lawn requires a lot of functional movement primal patterns in the process of set up, mowing the lawn and clean up."

Other types of yard work that are a great workout include gardening, weeding, shoveling snow or leaves and much more.

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Running Errands

Running Errands

Who says your hour-long daily walk can't be through the aisles of Target? Seriously, though, errands often involve plenty of walking, carrying, lifting and other movements.

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Cleaning the House

Cleaning the House

Cleaning the house can involve a wide range of physical movements -- going up and down stairs, carrying things from room to room, pushing and pulling the mop or broom and more.ย 

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Walking the Dog

Walking the Dog

Need we say more? You may be more occupied with getting your pup exercise during their daily walk, but don't forget that you're getting your steps in at that time, too.

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Walking, Anywhere

Walking, Anywhere

You may have heard that sitting for long periods of time is bad for you . But getting up and moving your body every 30 minutes or so is helpful, and walking is great exercise, period -- whether it's to the mailbox, down the hall to wave to your coworker or to grab a snack.ย 

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The 'I'm late' Sprint

The 'I'm late' Sprint

If you take public transportation regularly, you probably get a ton of light- to moderate-intensity activity throughout your days just by getting to the bus or train. And if you're running late and have to jog a little, that's all the more effort expended.

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Playing With Kids

Playing With Kids

Got kids in your life? Getting involved in their play, rather than watching from the nearest couch or bench, will have you out of breath pretty quickly.

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Dancing

Dancing

Maybe you like to go out dancing, or maybe you're more of the "solo dance party in your pajamas" type. Either way, know that dancing can be a full-body workout and great cardio, too.

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Laughing

Laughing

Ever heard of "laughter yoga"? One 2014 study found that laughter yoga is a better ab workout than crunches or back lifting exercises. So, the more humor you find in your day, the better.

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Having Sex

Having Sex

Sexual activity is also a moderate-intensity workout . Though, of course, it depends on the specific activity, it uses even more energy than weight training .

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CURATED BY

benzherlambang

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CURATOR'S NOTE

Workout is important. Surprisingly, sweeping, lawn care and even running errands can count as a workout, according to experts.

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