20 forms of exercise to try if you’re new to working out

If you’re totally new to working out, start by going for a walk. It’s something you already know how to do, and it’s easy to adapt to whatever level you’re at. Walking is a good way to get yourself into the habit of working out, and it’ll help you build a base for more intense workouts later. 

If you want something slightly more intense than walking, try power walking. Power walking can also be adapted to meet you where you’re at, and there are plenty of programs you can follow to help you get the most out of a power walking workout. 

Jogging is another good form of exercise if you’re new to working out because you can go at your own speed and don’t need to pay for any sort of training (though you certainly can). You can jog on a treadmill or get in a workout outside. 

Cycling is another form of exercise that you can take inside or outside. It’s great for beginners because you probably already know how to cycle, and you can easily tailor your workout by the distance you cycle and how intense a route you take. 

Swimming is an easy way to get into working out because there are dozens of ways to go about it. You can swim a few laps and call it a day. You can tread water for a few minutes. You can do water aerobics. There are lots of options, and they all make for great full-body workouts, no matter how new you are to exercise. 

If you think getting into nature will help you find motivation to work out, try hiking. It’s easy for beginners because the most popular hiking spots have designated routes for all different levels of activity. 

Dancing is a sneaky form of exercise because it’s also really fun, and that’s why it’s so great for beginners. You can follow an instructor and learn some steps for a more targeted workout, or you can just turn on the music and let yourself go for some great cardio. 

Don’t let anyone tell you yoga is too hard for beginners. Yes, some yoga moves are incredibly difficult and take lots of practice to master, but every yogi starts somewhere. There is just as much room in a yoga studio for a novice as there is for a veteran. 

Any form of exercise that can be adapted to include basic moves is great for beginners, including circuit training. Look for circuits for beginners and feature simple moves and low recommended weights. 

Tai chi is sometimes called “meditation in motion.” It’s a form of exercise that promotes strength, balance, and flexibility. It’s often recommended for people with chronic pain or poor joints, but it’s also a good form of exercise for people new to working out. 

Jumping rope is a high-impact form of exercise that can make for a very intense workout. However, it can easily be adapted for beginners, too. If you’re new to working out, you’ll notice that even five minutes of jumping rope will have your heart rate going. 

Like many forms of exercise, pilates includes moves that even the fittest people sometimes struggle with. But it also has lots of basic moves, and it’s very kind to your body if you adapt it to your level. It’s a great form of exercise for beginners and experts alike. 

Kickboxing combines classic boxing moves with cardio. It can be intense, but it can also work for beginners. You can have a short, intense kickboxing workout, or you can have a longer, less intense kickboxing workout that builds your stamina and your muscles. 

No matter how new you are to working out, there is a strength training class that you can take. Start by using a weight slightly heavier than what you use in your daily life. If you don’t manage any weight in your daily life, start with one or two-pound weights. 

If you don’t want to work with weights at all, you can do calisthenics instead. Calisthenics are exercises done with bodyweight. While any beginner can do bodyweight exercises, don’t mistake beginner classes for easy. These will still pose an adequate challenge. 

Stair climbing is another great form of exercise for beginners because it’s so adaptable. You can walk one flight of stairs, run 100 flights of stairs, or anything in between. 

If you like your workouts to involve other people, try team sports. Join a recreational league of your favorite sport. It’ll get you moving, and most people on your team probably won’t take it too seriously. It’s a great way to move your body and have fun. 

It might not be the most accessible form of exercise, but if possible, trampolining can be a good form of exercise for beginners. Jumping on a trampoline is a lot harder than many people realize, but it’s also fun and doesn’t necessarily feel like exercise. 

If you have a few feet of clearance and a few dollars to spend on a hula hoop, start hula hooping. It’s a great core exercise that can also help with agility and balance. It’s perfect if you have kids who want to join your workout. 

Step aerobics is a good form of exercise that can be done at all different levels. To start, you can repeat basic movements, and as you become more comfortable, you can learn full routines that make for serious cardio workouts.