Staying fit in Detroit, or in any other major urban center, isn’t always such an easy task. With the appeals of technology, national news, entertainment, and other indoor activities, it’s all too easy to end up spending most of your days on the couch. Online shopping can be tempting too, as the data shows, more than 80% of internet users have bought goods or services online. But we all know just how crucial it is to our overall health and well being to get out there and get moving. That’s why we have taken it upon ourselves to come up with this quick list to give you some ideas on how you and your family can stay fit in Detroit in 2020.
Find Nearby Parks and Use Them
Were you aware of the fact that only about one in five homes have parks within a half-mile, and about the same number have a fitness or recreation center within that distance? Private elementary schools with a focus on athletics and wellness can help kids stay active no matter what. But if your kids don’t attend such a school, then finding a park in your area may prove to be a necessary part of your family’s overall health and well being. While parks in Detroit may not be as abundant as they are in other areas across the country, you can certainly put in some effort to find a park that’s not too far from your house.
Once you have found a park that you and your family members like to go to, it’s time to get down to the business of finding some fun activities that keep you moving, active, and healthy. Some people may just find that a nice brisk walk through nature is enough to leave them feeling healthier, more balanced, and more fulfilled. As a matter of fact, if you happen to be a busy mom with an active family life in Detroit, then a nice relaxing, slow-paced walk may be just the thing you need from time to time.
However, as appealing as a walk can be, that doesn’t mean you should shy away from doing more high-intensity activities in a park. For example, try bringing a ball and playing some games with your kids, family members, or neighborhood friends. A lot of people find that the friendly competitive aspect of a ball game can help them to not focus so much on the physical demands of the movement. Whatever activities you like, it’s a good idea to find them and then develop a routine around them. Of course, this is just one way to stay fit in Detroit in 2020.
Join a Local Gym or Athletic Club
Roughly 35% of customers find out about local businesses from seeing its sign while passing. When it comes to gyms and athletic clubs, this is certainly no different. While many gyms have had to adapt to the changing landscape of the current world, many of them have maintained a strong presence in the Detroit metro area. If in-person classes aren’t possible for you, then try joining an online class. Many gyms are offering online training sessions and even group classes. And as all we know, the social aspect of exercise in gyms can really boost your motivation when you just aren’t feeling like working out. In fact, that takes us to our next idea…
Start an Exercise Group Chat
Making use of social pressure can prove to be incredibly effective for health and physical fitness. A great way to motivate yourself is to get a group of people together who all share the same fitness goals. By making use of modern technology, you can take this to the next level. Try starting a group chat with some of your friends and family members who also share the same fitness goals. You can remind each other to work out, share quotes, pictures, and other motivational content, and keep each other in check.
Did you know that around 28% of Americans, or 80.2 million people, aged six and older are physically inactive? With such high numbers, it has become that much more important to make sure that you instill the right habits in your kids. If you’re living in Detroit, then taking advantage of modern technological tools such as group chats and text chains can prove to be a really effective way to get through the cold, harsh winters too. But why stop there? There are many other forms of technology you can use to keep fit!
Use Technology to Enhance Your Health
In recent years, we have seen a major increase in new technology that makes exercise and fitness easier than ever before. For example, you may want to install an app that tracks your daily steps. This can prove to be quite motivating if you are consistently questioning whether or not you have gotten enough physical activity in for the day. You can also use apps to track your heartbeat, diet, and sleep schedule too. Many of these apps have a social aspect that allows you to share your results and compete with friends to reach fitness milestones.
Physical devices such as the Fit Bit and the Apple Watch have also made it more convenient to check in on your health from day to day. By making use of these innovations, you can upgrade your health and wellness without having to invest major amounts of time or money. In a world where technology can be part of poor health, it’s a good idea to do your best to ensure that your relationship with technology remains in balance. Using technology to stay fit isn’t always easy, but when used correctly it can help you progress.
While this is certainly not a comprehensive list of all the things you can do to stay fit and healthy in Detroit this year, we hope it has given you some ideas to put into practice. By staying active and watching your day to day habits, you will soon notice that both you and the rest of your family members are doing everything to stay fit, active, and healthy. Good luck out there!
Metro Detroit Mommy writer Kelsey.