paintball
From paintball to house cleaning, there is always one way or the other of getting the required 30 minutes in. Image Credit: Pixabay/padefiance

Exercising should never feel like a chore to be ticked off your to-do list. Some might even find it ludicrous to hit the gym on a weekend when they would rather spend that time seeing their loved ones (or catching up on sleep). All good reasons to avoid sweating, but winter’s cooler climes do promise us a fun ‘non-workout’ workout session.

Click start to play today’s Word Search, where you will find words like ‘aerobics’ and ‘kickball’ to motivate you.

Adults from 18- to 64-year-olds need at least half an hour of physical activity every day of the week. Now this sounds like a lot of work if you’re picturing a cardio class. With the help of today’s Word Search, we explore other nonconventional routes of keeping fit.

1. Paintball

Initially invented to mark trees for felling in the 1960s, paintball is very much a sport in its own right today. Not only are you running for cover and giving chase in gear, but it teaches you a thing or two about teamwork. A game of paintball can last anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes.

Squeeze a booking in to see your friends and get some cardio done at the same time. Some paintball parks can be found in Sharjah (Sharjah Paintball Park), Dubai (Pursuit Games) and Abu Dhabi (Battle Park).

2. Dodgeball

dodgeball
Dodgeball Image Credit: Flickr/Sébastien Barré

Another team sport to get you jumping and running is dodgeball. There are no nets nor fancy rules needed for this game, just a few balls and the beach sand. Split your friend group into two and aim for the legs and never above the shoulders.

3. Running with strangers

This is not a call for you to go on morning runs, but to sign up for a marathon that might just get you out of bed. The Dubai Fitness Challenge is coming to an end soon, with the Dubai Run taking place on November 26. Register to jog for 10 or 5 kilometres along Sheikh Zayed Road on Friday for an exciting way to get your 30 minutes in with like-minded trainers.

4. Listen to an album on foot

Switch up your walks to keep yourself invested. Hold off on that new album and listen to it on your walk, leave the car parked and go grocery shopping on foot, offer to walk a friend’s dog or better yet, pick a different location every time. This might even help you surpass your 7,000-step goal.

5. Cleaning

Yes, dusting and vacuuming your space, changing the sheets and rearranging your closet are all cardio workouts. You can’t wiggle out of this one, so might as well blast your favourite playlist, throw open the windows and get to breaking a sweat. It’s a win-win situation.

What is your go-to ‘non-workout’ workout? Play today’s Word Search and tell us at games@gulfnews.com.