# Choose three physical activities **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 31, 2014, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-three-physical-activities/697076 "2014-08-31T20:54:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quasimodal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/57b2e6/32.png) [@Quasimodal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodal)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2014, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-three-physical-activities/697076/1 "2014-08-31T20:54:20Z")
I’ve sort of determined in my life I have time for about three physical activities. I think I’ve found my magical combination that offers me fitness, minimalistic, well being, mobility, and expressiveness. I also think these activities compliment each other well. 1. Running: I’ve been running for about 8 years. All I really need is running shoes and weather appropriate clothing. It’s helped keep my weight down, keeps me feeling fit, easy to do, and I like anything I can zone out to music to. I also ike doing things outside. 2. Yoga: Flexibility and balance are the main concepts here. I also like again that all I need is my mat. Some mild strength benefits as well. I also like some of the spiritual / communal aspects in that I can dedicate my practice to myself or a person. I like the social aspects of a class as well. 3. Dance: Both Yoga and Running tie in with dance. Dance is much less physical but extremely positive for my sense of well being and fun. Physical / social contact, expressiveness, creativity while being in motion just gives me a lift I cannot describe. Running accents my ability to have endurance and move well with my legs, and Yoga helps with balance, posture, creative positions, body awareness…etc. My fourth non-physical activity is Music…so you can see a theme with how I chose my activities. I also love Yoga music! If you had to choose three physical activities what would they be and why? ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2014, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-three-physical-activities/697076/2 "2014-08-31T21:16:32Z")
Tennis - I’m a tennis addict. I’ve been playing competitively for about a decade now. It’s both social and physical. Hiking - When I vacation, we almost always schedule a hike or five. I’ve never done the backpack in and camp hike, but I do love exploring a place on foot. We’re going to Sedona in a few weeks and I can’t wait to get out and breathe some clean air. Dance - There are few things more joyful than dancing. If I couldn’t dance, I’m not sure I’d ever have a clean house. I crank up the Sonos speakers and go to town. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2014, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-three-physical-activities/697076/3 "2014-08-31T21:24:39Z")
Taekwondo and bowling are my main 2. I guess the third would be the hiking that accompanies geocaching, but we just don’t seem to get out in the woods that much any more. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2014, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-three-physical-activities/697076/4 "2014-08-31T22:24:36Z")
Cycling (road and cross) and running are my main two, with snowshoeing or skiing as my third, but only in winter obviously. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-three-physical-activities/697076/5 "2014-09-01T00:06:54Z")
Bicycling - I grew up in a neighborhood where a bicycle was the only way to get around; school, paper route, everything. Would put one of those mechanical odometers on the hub, it’d break after a couple thousand miles, and I’d get another one. I still have the muscles for it, and I live near the Minuteman Bikeway; if I never have to ride in traffic again that’s fine with me. Out and back is about 25 miles. I’ve been trying to do that most days. I should hit about 1,500 - 1,700 miles for the summer before hanging things up for the winter. Curling - A little athletic, a little competitive, a little social; and the physical aspect isn’t about brute force as much as coordination and precision. (Well, the sweeping gets the blood pumping a bit). It’s a fun, quirky thing to do with fun, quirky people. I don’t have a third, at the moment. I did take a ballroom dance class (inspired somewhat by your thread on the subject) and enjoyed it more than I thought I might. It’s a possibility. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-three-physical-activities/697076/6 "2014-09-01T01:38:14Z")
I do a fair amount of walking/hiking, so that’s number one. I haven’t bicycled in decades. I gotter go to the park and rent a bike. That’s two. Third? Hm… What’s good for balance? I’m kinda clumsy on my feet. Maybe some very low-impact martial art? I’m pretty good at breakfall. (I have to be.) ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-three-physical-activities/697076/7 "2014-09-01T01:49:29Z")
1. Running is the first athletic activity that I really took to, when I started 9 years ago. I like clearing my head and getting those endorphins. I actually rely on running for pain relief and my mental health. 2. Crossfit. I did crossfit for a little over a year, and I loved it. I had great coaches who cared a lot about safety and teaching proper form, met some great people, and it brings me to my third… 3. Heavy weightlifting. I left crossfit mainly because of financial reasons, but not before I developed a love for lifting heavy things. So I now go to a gym that has a great weight room, and I also run a few times a week. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-three-physical-activities/697076/8 "2014-09-01T02:42:23Z")
Swimming Weight lifting Walking my dog ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-three-physical-activities/697076/9 "2014-09-01T03:07:53Z")
Years ago, I loved dance and running. Now I’ve got a bum knee, so I’m still trying to figure out what works with that, that also works with my exercise-induced asthma. 1. stationary bike – great because a) it’s inside and away from pollen, and b) when I’m done I don’t have to bike back home. 2. weight machines – free at my apartment complex I don’t know what #3 is. I’ve done some historical sword training, which is fun. I’ve done some fencing which is fun. But I think I’m going to check out the local Y, which has TWO indoor pools! I’m a good swimmer, and I like the idea of water aerobics. And also just being able to float around in a heated pool is nice when it’s freezing outside. And the sauna room also sounds really nice. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-three-physical-activities/697076/10 "2014-09-01T03:08:55Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > 1. Running is the first athletic activity that I really took to, when I started 9 years ago. I like clearing my head and getting those endorphins. I actually rely on running for pain relief and my mental health. > > 2. Crossfit. I did crossfit for a little over a year, and I loved it. I had great coaches who cared a lot about safety and teaching proper form, met some great people, and it brings me to my third… > > 3. Heavy weightlifting. I left crossfit mainly because of financial reasons, but not before I developed a love for lifting heavy things. So I now go to a gym that has a great weight room, and I also run a few times a week. Good for you. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-three-physical-activities/697076/11 "2014-09-01T03:38:40Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > . . . 2. Crossfit. I did crossfit for a little over a year, and I loved it. I had great coaches who cared a lot about safety and teaching proper form, met some great people . . . Cool! I’d never heard of it before. It sounds too intensive, too vigorous for me, but were I twenty years younger, it might have been good! Another one I might have mentioned: indoors artificial rock climbing. This seems to have been a fad, and has largely gone away. Too bad! There was a huge converted warehouse in San Diego, with an enormous Half Dome mural painted on the side, that hosted indoor climbing. I never did get off my butt to go and visit, and now they seem to be gone. Bummer! There’s real rock climbing, and I know a very nice field of boulders that are just within my competence. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_Hey_Paula)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-three-physical-activities/697076/12 "2014-09-01T04:14:55Z")
Middle aged, non-atheltic lady here. My current three activities are: 1. Dance, specifically ballet. I’m returning after an eight year absence and am loving it. 2. Kettlebells. Russian style, my teachers were trained by Pavel Tsatsouline. I’m lifting and swinging heavier than I ever thought possible. I’m working a 100-swings a day program at home right now. 3. Brisk walking. I’m trying to do it three times a week, two miles which takes me about 35-40 minutes. I plan to start a Couch to 5K program soon. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-three-physical-activities/697076/13 "2014-09-01T04:31:02Z")
Swimming, biking, and dancing. I also loved working on the machines at the gym when I could afford it. I absolutely loathe running and I’m not much more of a fan of walking. ---
**Author:** ![DingoelGringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@DingoelGringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DingoelGringo)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-three-physical-activities/697076/14 "2014-09-01T04:37:26Z")
I refuse to buy an automatic transmission car so I can get the exercise of shifting gears. I also tip my glass all the way back when finishing a beer. That is two, about as far as I go exercise wise ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-three-physical-activities/697076/15 "2014-09-01T12:31:49Z")
Hiking or walking. It comes very naturally to humans; in fact our walking endurance let us slowly chase large game to their exhaustion in our evolutionary past. It’s healthy for us and pretty non-damaging. And it can take little time to prepare for it or recover from it – for example I generally park in the most distant spaces, and take the stairs instead of the elevator. I love a five mile hilly trail hike in the woods, but I also love unplanned opportunities to walk an extra 50 or 300 feet and make my blood move a little faster. Then swimming, as a sport. But I don’t do it much, except during our week at the beach. After that, if I can count mowing or raking as a sport, that’s about all I’ve got. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-three-physical-activities/697076/16 "2014-09-01T13:10:46Z")
> [@DingoelGringo](#): > > I refuse to buy an automatic transmission car so I can get the exercise of shifting gears. I also tip my glass all the way back when finishing a beer. That is two, about as far as I go exercise wise Don’t forget the number of reps lifting the beer, there. That’s three. For me, as a 53-year-old guy, I’m doing… 1. Karate. Training as a brown belt in Shotokan karate, four days a week. Speed, strength, and lots of time spent standing there with my knees bent is a lot more strenuous than you’d think if you’ve never studied Tai Chi. 2. Yoga. Two days a week doing Yin yoga (slow, long stretches on the mat). I just added a third day doing Hatha yoga, which is more standing poses with a lot of movement from one pose to the next, and it is kicking my ass. 3. Weights. Once a week, for the most part using hand weights, but also cable machines for lat pull down & triceps. Rumor has it I should find some sort of aerobic exercise that doesn’t bore me to tears, but I’m managing to resist that so far. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-three-physical-activities/697076/17 "2014-09-01T14:02:08Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Cool! I’d never heard of it before. It sounds too intensive, too vigorous for me, but were I twenty years younger, it might have been good! I don’t know how old you are, but I am 46. Just FYI. A lot of what is publicized about crossfit is the super-rigorous, let’s all vomit kind of workouts, and I never went in for that. Let’s just say, I loved it as a workout and a community; I disagree with a lot of the ideology. That’s why I’m not scraping the money together to give to an affiliate gym, but I do miss my crossfit friends. There’s a rock-climbing gym right near me that I keep meaning to check out. ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-three-physical-activities/697076/18 "2014-09-01T14:14:20Z")
1.) Sex 2.) 3.) ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-three-physical-activities/697076/19 "2014-09-01T14:26:11Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > I don’t know how old you are, but I am 46. Just FYI. A lot of what is publicized about crossfit is the super-rigorous, let’s all vomit kind of workouts, and I never went in for that. Let’s just say, I loved it as a workout and a community; I disagree with a lot of the ideology. That’s why I’m not scraping the money together to give to an affiliate gym, but I do miss my crossfit friends. > > There’s a rock-climbing gym right near me that I keep meaning to check out. Yeah, crossfit is great at any age, as long as you are safe. I am on the list to start crossfit and Olympic lifting this fall/winter. I used to rock climb (indoor and outdoor) and my husband still does (outdoor). Not a fad around here, it’s pretty mainstream actually. Great exercise. ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-three-physical-activities/697076/20 "2014-09-01T14:49:19Z")
1. Work out at a gym, go for both cardio and strength/weight training. I was never as healthy as I was when I was a gym rat… a skinny, geeky gym rat mind you… I did cardio daily (elliptical or treadmill) with my own pulse rate monitor, and worked my way up to an hour a day. I did strength training, alternating days between upper and lower body. I’ve always had pre-hypertension and fast heart rate, and within weeks the drop in both was noticeable, lost weight, gained strength. And at least on the elliptical, I could set up some streaming Netflix to my phone to pass the time. Overall, too, I saved money; $30 a month for the gym, rather than a few DVDs and alcoholic beverages while sitting idle at home. 2. Club dancing. I decided to try going to dance clubs after my divorce, and discovered that I loved it. I was mostly into high BPM electronic stuff and became so comfortable with it that I became pretty good (and so familiar with it that I followed specific DJs, and could tell when someone made a miscue). Ended up switching to a new club and got hired for a while as a house dancer. 3. Classes on interesting-sounding physical activities in general. Did classes in swing dancing, fencing, weight training (where I learned to build my own plan in 1), falconry (sucked at that one). Most dance schools offer different styles, so you can dip your toes in a lot of stuff that builds your repertoire for 2! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-three-physical-activities/697076.md?page=2)