12 Offbeat Workouts That’ll Make You Sweat

Are you in a workout slump? Are you tired of your regular fitness routine and looking for a new challenge? Whatever you do, don’t give up and stop exercising. It’s perfectly normal to hit a plateau or get bored with your regimen from time to time. But there’s always a way to get yourself motivated again.

To trick is to be adventurous. Nowadays, there are so many interesting workouts out there just begging to be explored. Many are classes whose other participants can help inspire you, and some are activities you can do on your own, if you prefer exercising solo. Here, we present a dozen great workouts to try. Some you may have heard about, while others may surprise you. Give at least one of them a spin this summer and watch your fitness level soar.

1. Just Breathe. Need some relaxation? Depending on the class, yoga can combine zen-time and me-time into one blissful workout package. Aside from the cute accessories and outfits, yoga is all about you. Leave chitchat for before or after the session. Prepare for slow movements and a slow burn, and to leave feeling deeply centered. From vinyasa flow and bikram to hot yoga, there’s a wide variety of classes from which to choose. I thought I hated yoga until I found an awesome five-person class with a fabulous instructor who catered to our specific limitations, including my “deeply concerning tight hamstrings.” Keep an open mind and you might find your dream class as well.

2. Get your kicks. Another fun experience is a martial arts class. These workouts fit into two basic categories: fight-based classes that involve lots of kicking and punching, and defense-based classes that teach verbal communication and disarming tactics to practice real-world scenarios. The kickboxing, punching and cardio classes were a great workout at the Krav Maga gym I visited, but hearing “KILL, KILL, DIE, DIE!” repeatedly for an hour and being asked to envision punching your boss is a little spooky (especially if you are a boss). To be fair, my friend loved it! My preference was a runner-focused defense class at 3 Tiger Martial Arts, which really prepared me to defend myself.

Ice skating is a great way to burn calories.

3. Lace up! Want to sustain that Christmas feeling all year? Always feel like you’re too hot? Nothing is cuter than cozying next to a sweetheart hand in hand—or, depending on your skill level, death gripping the side rails—at your local ice rink. Either way, skating provides a great lower-body and cardio workout once you’ve got the skills down. Tickets to most rinks are under $20, including the cost of skate rental, and many year-round facilities offer both group and private lessons for adults. Tips for first timers: Follow the direction of the herd around the rink. Use the middle for practicing tricks and the edges for rail gripping, and you’ll be just fine.

4. Box yourself in. If you’re seeking a challenge, Crossfit may be for you. I like to think of it as a boot camp on steroids. Instead of enjoying an air-conditioned or outdoor experience, you exercise in a “box” sometimes remodeled from old garages. These are dizzying, fast-paced, highly competitive workouts that almost guarantee multiple days of soreness. Instructors vary in skill, so be sure to find one who comes recommended by your friends. Be prepared for high prices and what is often described as a “cult-like” (in a good way) atmosphere.

5. Get personal. If you like personalized attention, seek out a trainer. Personal trainers vary in experience, price and workout style. I look for someone who takes into account my personal fitness goals, instead of providing the same workout to everyone. Beast Mode and some other gyms provide a supervised workout with a personal trainer to limited clientele. Group training sessions are fun and provide an outlet to meet friends, but can also lead to jealousy if too much attention is given to one individual.

Climb your way to fitness.

6. Scale new heights. Rock climbing is a great calorie-burning activity, especially if you want to feel the rush of adrenaline and boost your confidence. This activity also makes for a great date night, because it develops trust between partners and provides built-in conversation. Your local gym is sure to have staff on hand to help keep you safe from any real danger, and most facilities offer a variety of courses for various skill levels. Tips for beginners: The lower the number on the climbing wall, the easier the route; feel free to do a “rainbow route” that you make up as you go. Regular climbers are almost always willing to help you out and give advice, or what climbers call “beta.”

7. Give it a spin. Spinning classes are sweat fests. This is not the place to meet a new best friend for a workout, as these classes tend to be very crowded. But the great thing about getting lost in a sea of people is that the instructor can almost never pick you out from the crowd and you can cheat all you want (not that we’re encouraging that). At these no-nonsense classes, the music selection is key to keeping you motivated. Be prepared for little camaraderie but ample burn. Be sure to arrive early for your class if you need help with your equipment settings. If you have bike shoes, the workout is even better.

8. Give yourself the boot. Boot camp classes are my all-time favorite. I love the camaraderie, the personalization and the major physical results. Camp Gladiator offers great classes nationwide. They reeled me in with a free one-month pass and from that moment I was hooked. I love challenging my limits just using my body or light hand-held weights and quick cardio. Boot camps can be similar to the popular P-90x and Insanity workout styles.

Yes, pole dancing burns lots of calories.

9. Too sexy for your workout? If you’re looking for exercise that gives back in more ways then one, try the increasingly popular bachelorette workout. If you aren’t so much of a calorie counter, but rather looking for a good time with some girlfriends, there’s a growing market in major cities for cardio strip tease, pole dancing and other “erotic” fitness activities. In these unusual workouts, fashion takes high priority and heels are requested. Warning: If you walk anything like me, this workout might not be for you. But one thing’s for sure: Hobbling your way around a metal pole will at least guarantee some laughs. And who knows, you might even be a natural. Either way, it’s a good once-in-a-while workout, or at least a fun group class to organize with a bunch of gutsy girlfriends.

10. Go digital. Koko FitClub is taking the nation by storm and it’s easy to see why. These classes offer the perfect structure of built-in rewards for every workout task completed, plus easy modern computerized guides to lifting, exercises and cardio. Participating in these classes is almost like having a ghost personal trainer living in your ear. It was nice to see the speed and repetition recommendation for weightlifting, an activity with which I have very little experience.

11. Saddle up. If you love animals, horseback riding is a great activity. Most places sell single-class sessions and teach everything from barrel jumping to simple trail rides, depending on the location and the student’s level. Be honest with your instructor about your experience, in order to make sure you’re matched with the right horse. No novice wants to end up riding a disobedient stallion with a rambunctious streak.

12. Dance into shape. Zumba has become an insanely popular workout. Many fans have danced their way to major weight loss with these classes, which combine low-intensity and high-intensity moves for an interval-style, calorie-burning dance fitness party. Unfortunately, my lack of coordination turns me into more of a Zumba hazard, as I confuse left and right and run into other students on the floor. If you’re more coordinated than me, this could be a great new activity for you. Go with a bunch of friends and immerse yourself in the Latin and World music as you burn, burn, burn calories.

For more ideas on how to get moving, even on your busiest days, read our story about how to sneak in a workout anywhere, anytime.

Good luck with your new fitness adventures, and be sure to share your experiences with us!

—A natural-born bench warmer, Katherine Timlin enjoys putting her heart in the game despite her lack of coordination. Nonetheless, she enjoys being active with friends and learning new ways to look silly.