50 Workouts to Try This Year

Plenty of ideas to get your health journey in motion

January 06, 2023

By: Samantha Lande

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Gonna Make Ya Sweat!

We all know we should be working out, but we don’t always do it. Part of it is finding a workout that makes it, well, not feel like working out. There are hundreds of ways to get your body moving and break a sweat, so we’ve picked 50 of them to get you started on a new year of movement and fun.

Spinning

Whether you spin at home on a Peloton or stationary bike or attend a live class, indoor cycling is a great low-impact way to get your heart pumping and build up a sweat. Enjoy a variety of class formats from themed music rides to climb rides.

Boxing

You don’t have to be a fighter to fall in love with shadowboxing. Whether you choose a class like Rumble Boxing, an at home connected machine like Fight Camp, or pull up a video, boxing is a full body workout that’s fun to do.

Running

We all know that running is good for us, but running is one of those love it or hate it kind of activities. Try it outside, sign up for a race or do a walk and run combination and you may find you are one of those people that didn’t know they’d fall in love with running.

Walking

Walking may not feel like a workout at times, but it’s actually great for your health. Find yourself a walking partner to catch up with and you’ll forget you are working out. Explore different inclines, forest preserves, beaches, and you’ll get a nature show while you exercise.

HIIT

If you like your workouts high intensity, then HIIT, or high intensity interval training, may be what you are looking for. These workouts are a quick burst of high intensity so it could be anything from sprinting to heavy lifting, followed by a quick rest period and then you do it all again. The workouts go by fast and are really good for you. Plus you can see benefits in shorter durations.

Yoga

If you ever had excuses that you weren’t flexible or yoga was too slow or too hot, you may just not be doing the right kind of yoga. Yoga is great for your body (and mind!) and you can find all sorts of versions of it from slower or restorative flows to heart pumping sequences.

Hiking

A beautiful way to be immersed in nature and get a good workout is hiking. Find a regular spot or explore different locations around you (or around the country!). It is low cost and lots of fun.

Rowing

Rowing is a full body workout that’s great for everything from your back muscles to your core. Plus, it’s a great cardio workout too. Head to a gym and jump on a rower or try one of the home models, like Hydrow, that will provide you with sweat inducing sequences to do at home.

Swimming

Swimming isn’t just for kids. It’s a fun, low-impact workout that is easy on your joints but great for muscle building, endurance, and overall cardiovascular health. If it’s summer (or warm where you live!) find an outdoor pool and soak up the rays, or look to your local gym or community center that has lap lanes you can use. It may feel tough at first but once you get the hang of it, swimming laps can be relaxing too.

F45

This 45 minute workout is high intensity circuit training that is sure to make you sweat! Functional training that includes weights, kettlebells, rowers and more. There are studios across the country or you can log on and join some of their workouts from home.

Hula Hoops

Remember hula hooping as a kid? Yes, the hip circle movement is actually good for you. Buy a weighted hula hoop for extra resistance. Use different parts of your body, like your arms, ankle, or neck, to do different movements. You can take a class, watch a video or simply try your hand at a few moves and you’ll be in the groove and breaking a sweat in no time.

Drumming

You don’t have to be musical for this cardio workout. Banging on the drums is fun, heart pumping and rhythmic. Classes like Pound help you let loose and have some fun while utilizing drumsticks and pounding on drums. You’ll release stress and endorphins in this unique class.

Aerial

If floating around on ribbons doing acrobatics is your idea of a fun time, this air workout is for you. It may seem intimidating at first but there are beginner classes to walk you through just how to use the hammock in a sequence of moves that resemble pilates, ballet, and HIIT. Your core will be burning in the best way possible.

Barre

There’s a reason this ballet influenced workout has been around for awhile, it’s a great low-impact workout that targets the whole body. Pure Barre, Barre3, The Bar Method and more provide small classes that utilize a ballet barre and other accessories like light weights, balls and bands to really target your core, thighs, glutes and pelvic muscles.

Strength Training

Gone are the days where lifting weights meant bench pressing hundreds of pounds. Lifting weights these days means strength training and it does not mean you’ll get bulky. So many studies have shown that lifting weights is great for your body and overall health. There are so many great videos or online classes you can take. All you need is a variety of dumbbells and you’re ready to go.

Latin Dancing

Whether it’s Zumba or a Latin dance class or any other form, dancing is such a good workout and so is learning something completely new! You’ll be amazed by how fast a class like this goes by when you are moving to the music. And don’t worry, most of these classes are designed for non-dancers which means you’ll catch on quickly to the heart-pumping choreography.

Crossfit

Crossfit is an intense workout so you’ll want to make sure to consult your doctor before starting something new. If you are a fitness buff and are ready to take things to the next level, this high intensity strength training class is a popular choice to challenge the body and mind. You’ll hit new goals and be able to accomplish more than you ever thought.

Tabata

Get ready for high intensity but in a digestible format. Tabata works as 20 seconds of high intensity followed by 10 seconds of rest, usually in four minute rounds. You’ll be able to get a super efficient workout within a short duration (think 10 or 20 minutes). With any high intensity workout, make sure you have your form down first as these workouts move very quickly.

Hip Hop Dance

You’re never too old to start dancing, even if it’s throwing it back to the 90s for a little hip hop. Many dance studios offer adult classes (community centers and gyms too) where you can bounce to the beat of throwback jams. Time flies when you’re having fun.

Obstacle Courses

If you like a mental and physical challenge in your workouts, try your hand at ninja warrior obstacle course training; places like Ultifit offer them across the country. Yes, real obstacles that you may see on the Ultimate Ninja Warrior shows are what you’ll be using and they require a lot of strength. A sure sense of accomplishment if you can do what the ninjas do!

Incline Walking

Walking may be a part of your workout routine but give it a spin with incline walking. Incline walking is similar to hiking but for this one you’ll want to crank your treadmill up to higher heights. Walking on an incline isn’t as arduous on your body as running is but it still gives you a great full body workout.

Team Sports and Leagues

The fun camaraderie of team sports will make it feel like a social gathering and not a workout. Whether you love to play softball or basketball or any other sport, it’s not only a fun time, it can also be a great workout.

Meditation

Meditation may not give you a good sweat like a high intensity workout, but it’s an important workout for your mental health, something we could all use more of. You can meditate on your own or find a guided meditation through an app or online video. Five to ten minutes a day can make a huge difference.

Mobility

This is the year we trade in text neck and hunching over a computer with getting our bodies more mobile, the way they are meant to be. Whether it be mobility stretches at your desk or following along to a mobility class, this is the year to get our posture in check.

Bike Riding

Indoor cycling is one thing, but make it a goal to get outside and hit the open road. Whether it’s mountain biking or just simply cycling on the sidewalks, riding a bike in the fresh air will make you feel like a kid again.

Pilates

Pilates isn’t a new workout but it’s so good for your core. Whether you use a reformer or do pilates moves on the mat, you’ll build up strength really fast. Check out a studio like Club Pilates or do your own workout at home.

Rock Climb

Talk about a fun and exhilarating workout. It may be tough at first, but rock climbing is such a great upper body workout that you’ll have so much fun doing. Many gyms have climbing walls or find a climbing specific gym like Brooklyn Boulders.

Pickleball

There’s a reason that pickleball is all the rage: it’s fun, a good workout, and it’s easy to catch on to the game. Think of it like life-sized ping pong where you’ll be running around instead of standing at a table. So many parks have added free courts, all you need are the paddles and ball.

Tennis

Tennis is another great way to get a great cardio workout with limited equipment. Grab a partner and play doubles, or face your friend at a local park. If you’ve never played before, lessons are a great way to learn and get your heart pumping.

Playground Fit

Be a kid again with this workout that takes all of your favorite childhood games (I’m talking to you, Red Rover and Simon Says) and puts them in a fun cardio workout class. You’ll be giggling and having so much fun you’ll hardly remember this is a workout in the first place. Find it at You Fit gyms across the country.

Standing Core Classes

Crunches and sit-ups still do the trick but it’s now all the rage to do an abs workout standing up! Challenge your muscles in a new way with these classes — no mat required. Simply look up standing core classes, there are many you can do at home, and get burning.

Body Weight Classes

Body weight workouts are great for travel because there is no equipment needed. These strength workouts simply use your body to get the job done. Think planks, squats, push-ups and more, you’ll get super strong without the need for extra stuff to do so.

Orange Theory

A little bit of running, a little bit of rowing, and a whole lot of sweat. This high intensity fitness class mixes in running, rowing and strength with no workout ever being the same. There’s a reason why it has a big following with locations across the country.

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is one of the best workouts for your mind and it also improves strength, flexibility, and balance. It requires a good amount of concentration but once you get the hang of it you won’t want to stop.

Ballroom Dancing

Grab your partner and glide across the floor all while learning a new routine. Ballroom dancing challenges your mind, is fun, and gives a nice activity to do with your partner. Although you may not be dripping in sweat, don’t underestimate the exercise you’ll get from dancing.

Rollerblade

You may not have taken out your rollerblades in years, but now is the time to start again. This workout made its way back during COVID-19 and I think it’s here to stay for a bit. Strap on those skates, turn on some tunes and you’ll get a great lower body workout.

Cross Country Skiing

Downhill skiing gets all the credit for being an exhilarating workout, and although its cross-country counterpart is less exhilarating, it’s awesome for your cardiovascular health and you still get to take in the winter sights as you go.

Stand Up Paddleboard

Whether you live somewhere warm year round or can only get on the water in the summer, stand up paddle boarding is worth a try, and it's a great way to challenge your balance and full body strength. You can even throw down an anchor and practice yoga on a paddleboard.

Resistance Bands

Resistance bands always provide a great workout and with everything having a "smart" component to them nowadays, you can amp up your resistance band training even more. These WeGYM resistance bands can be adjusted from 10-110 pounds and even track your progress.

Rise Nation

When you think of the stair stepper, you may think 1980s, but Rise Nation gyms are dedicated to using these climbers in a moremodern style. The climber is used in a high intensity workout along with arm handles to make this a heart pumping full body workout.

Barry's Bootcamp

This workout has a cult following. It’s very challenging but it gets the job done and you may just have a bit of fun doing it. The class rotates between treadmill workouts with varying intervals and "floor" workouts which usually involve strength training and bursts of activities like burpees and jumping jacks.

Trampoline Workout

What’s more fun than jumping on the trampoline? Now you can use it for a workout, either in a studio or the comfort of your own home, with The Ness, a mini trampoline workout that can be customized to your needs whether you have 10 or 45 minutes to spare. You’ll get both a cardio and strength workout.

Downhill Skiing

There’s a rush that comes with downhill skiing, feeling the wind in your face as you soar down a mountain, or even the bunny hill. Skiing will work every muscle in your body, and will tire you out so you’ll be ready for après ski.

Live DJ Dance Classes

Who says all of the fun has to happen after your workout? Many studios are turning down the lights and turning up the music in live DJ experiences, in some cases complete with glow sticks. Get ready to dance in studios like 305 Fitness and belt out tunes while you get in a great cardio experience to all of the hottest tunes.

Snowshoeing

This outdoor winter workout is a serious cardiovascular burn. Think of it like hiking in the snow with all of the bumps and hills (and cold!) you’ll encounter along the way.

Balance Boards

A workout you can do while working? Yes, please. Put a balance board under your standing desk and you’ll be able to balance and strengthen your core and stability all while getting your work done. The balance board is a great piece of equipment to use while watching TV, too. Following different exercises or just balancing alone is a great workout.

Jump Rope

If you haven’t used a jump rope since elementary school, you aren’t alone, but you may want to bring your rope back out because it is a cardiovascular powerhouse. Use it as a warm up tool or take a jump rope class where you can learn fun routines. You can even buy weighted ropes for resistance training.

Balacize

If you have Bala bangles (wrist and ankle weights) or any of their bands or other tools, it’s time to take that to the next level. They’ve recently launched Balacize, workouts that utilize their tools. Don’t want to take a class? Throwing on some ankle weights in any of your workouts will add great resistance.

Les Mills Body Pump

Many gyms and community centers offer Les Mills classes, and for good reason. Their Bodypump class is a burner, using barbells to get an incredible burn.

Kayaking

Hit the waters in this workout that feels just as relaxing as it is difficult. It only takes a few lessons to be able to kayak, a great upper body workout but also a nice chance to take a deep breath and be out on the open water. More advanced kayakers can tackle rougher waters but even a calm lake can provide a good workout.

Chair Workout

Yes, you can get a workout sitting in a chair. Chair workouts can provide elements of yoga, strength, stretching, and more. Try them via the Lululemon Studio Mirror or look them up online.

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