The Fun Way to Exercise

From guilt-ridden stair climbs to toddler-chasing sprints, here’s how I get my workout without actually trying.

I’ve never been what you’d call “sporty.” My idea of cardio is frantically checking the hob when I think I’ve over cooked the pasta.

Now, I know exercise is important. Keeps you fit. Makes you feel better. Blah blah blah. But here’s the truth: the most exercise I’ve done lately is walking from the study to the kitchen fridge downstairs, while waiting for a report to run.

I’ve tried exercise routines before. I even downloaded a workout app once. Opened it, saw a man with a six-pack smile at me, and then come to the realisation that I’m never gonna look that good.

So what’s the most fun way to exercise?

Simple: Don’t realise you’re doing it.

Here are a few of my top contenders:

The three flights of guilt.

At work, there are three glorious flights of stairs between the ground floor and our office. A beacon of health. A symbol of virtue. And an ongoing joke where we all pretend we’re taking them for fitness when really it’s just peer pressure and a dash of post-lunch shame. By the time I reach the top, I’m breathing like I’ve just summited Everest and desperately pretending to “check emails” so I don’t pass out in front of my work colleagues.

Lego lunges.

Ever tried picking up Lego one block at a time because you stepped on one barefoot and saw your life flash before your eyes? That’s a full glute workout and a character-building experience all in one.

Gluten-free supermarket sweep.

You’ve not truly exercised until you’ve seen a fresh restock of gluten-free crumpets and vaulted a pensioner to get there first. Sorry, Doris. Survival of the coeliac-est.

Ollie-chasing circuits.

He runs. You chase. He hides. You pretend you’re playing but really just need a breather. It’s HIIT, toddler edition.

“I’ll just weed the garden for ten minutes.”

Four hours later you’re sunburned, your back’s gone, and you’ve pulled up something you didn’t mean to—but you’ve burned 400 calories and achieved absolutely no visual difference. Nailed it.

Now, if none of those appeal, you could always take up yoga. But the last time I tried that, I got stuck halfway through Downward Dog and had to Google how to undo myself. (The answer is humiliation and a gentle roll onto your side like a fainting Victorian lady.)

So no, I might not be smashing gym goals or flexing in a mirror, but I am moving, sweating, and occasionally panicking—so I reckon that counts.

What’s your fun way to exercise? Tell me. Please. I’m asking for my core, which currently feels like it’s made of cheesecake.