There are so many challenges for keeping fit, as we all know. Whether it’s time constraints, money, or simly a lack of motivation, it can be really difficult to make a commitment to fitness goals in our busy diaries. However, one problem that people don’t always talk about is that exercise can be really lonely! While some people enjoy being solitary, for others the thought of stepping out of the door to spend an hour pounding the pavement, or going to the gym for an hour with no one to chat to is part of what makes exercising so difficult. But all is not lost – there are plenty of things you can try that get your exercise in, and scratch that social itch. Below, we’ve listed a few of our top picks.
- Rugby
Though it might seem obvious, that’s for good reason – if you need sport to be social in order to have a good time, then a team sport may be the way to go. Rugby is a competitive, exciting game and rugby clubs have legendary social lives – so this could be the ideal place to enjoy a new hobby and find a new circle of friends.
- Tennis
For those that don’t enjoy playing team sports, but still enjoy the social aspect, something like tennis can be a great in between as it’s kind of a halfway house between a team sport and a solo one. While you play your own game, it has to be against someone else. It’s easy to find a tennis club near you to join, and when you’re not in the mood to play you can often spend time there socially too. So what’s stopping you from picking up that tennis racket?
- Running
Yes, you read that right! Running is often thought of as a solitary venture – runners talk a lot about enjoying the time to be alone with their thoughts, competing only with themselves, and having space to do it their own way. That’s great for some, and everyone wants to be alone from time to time – but you can also join a running group. Almost every town has a couple, for beginners or advanced runners (and other levels in between). This gives you a chance to enjoy a simple form of exercise while making new friends along the way.
If you’re a social person who’s been struggling to find a fitness routine that works for them, hopefully these three ideas will set you on the right path.