Solo physical activity that is not boring (see inside for definition)

In My Humble Opinion
1

I thought I had asked a related question before but search does not discover it.

I need a solo physical activity that will get my heart rate up and help with fitness, but skill at which is measured more in terms of reflex and/or wit rather than just physical endurance. Physical endurance is important, but needs to be an accidental side-effect rather than the name of the game.

Why solo? Scheduling, basically.

Why “measured more in terms of reflex and/or wit?” Because otherwise, it is boring and I will not stay in the habit. I am considerably weak-willed. If I am bored, I won’t keep doing something. I say this not as a declaration of intent but as an indication of self-knowledge.

I love fencing, very very much. I’m terrible at it, but I love it. When I was able, briefly, to return to it a year or two ago, I would do it for so long I would literally collapse to the floor unable to get up. And loved it. I don’t typically love physical exercise–indeed the opposite–so you can tell that the “reflex and wit” bit is a real motivator.

But… scheduling. Fencing requires other people. It is not presently feasible, given the current available fencing schedule, for me to get into it. :frowning: :frowning: :frowning:

So I’m looking for solo alternatives.

I just realized as I type this that something like parkour would fit the bill. They do have indoor parkour courses or something like that don’t they? :smiley: But… the thought of me doing parkour is fairly ridiculous for several reasons. I seek alternatives. :wink:

2

Kayaking. Paddle as far as you want, with or without earbuds, with or without a few beers, with or without a bowl.

That, or masturbation.

3

That’s interesting, actually–I can see gradations of difficulty in that (right?).

How dangerous is it?

4

All solo activities have some degree of danger. Walking solo in the woods is risky if you have a heartattack, for example.

Flat water (lake) paddling, assuming you can swim or wear a life jacket and the temperature is reasonable, is safe, relaxing, fun, cheap.

I’ve done whitewater solo, and the risk is (for me) part of the rush. The same with moonlight paddles!

Difficulty is what you make it. On a lake you can skirt the shoreline or not. I like to paddle till I’m just beyond the point where I can make my way back comfortably.

5

Racquetball or handball. You can schedule to play with someone else from time to time, but practice by yourself as often as you want.

6

Get a bicycle. Ride it whenever you want. Ride fast or slow or long or short. Forget the Darth Vader racing outfit and dress for the weather. Ride because it’s fun to ride; the fitness part is a fringe benefit.

7

This is a great idea!

8

Find a place to hit a ball off a wall! Tennis racquet and ball, all that’s required. You can make up all kinds of challenges for yourself! And hey, if you enjoy it, maybe even graduate to tennis, badminton, racquetball or handball. Or even each, one after the other as it strikes you!

9

You’re not going to believe me, but lift weights. Not only will it occupy your mind with the task at hand, it will train your mind to focus, preventing future boredom. And if you do it right, you will get stronger quickly, and progress is the best way to prevent boredom.

10

For me, hiking was it.

You may question whether it’s too “boring”. YMMV. Here’s how it played for me:

A brief bit of back-story: I was always at least a little bit interested in hiking ever since, like, ever. When I was ~34 or so, I was definitely in poor physical shape, due to lack of much exercise, and came to be acutely aware of it. So I began casting about for a good physical conditioning exercise. An important criterion was just exactly what our esteemed OP suggests: Something interesting enough to keep me engaged.

Then, somewhat serendipitously, I discovered the Skyline To The Sea Trail – about 35 miles, from the top of the Santa Cruz mountains, through deep redwood forests, to the beach.

And I got a sudden bug up my ass to hike that whole trail. Not in a three-day backpacking marathon, but in a succession of shorter segments.

My first hike was barely a half-mile, at a pace that any reasonably healthy escargot could beat. Over the next several weeks, my improvement was massive and very obvious (to me). That alone helped keep my enthusiasm way up there. Besides, the surrounds were beautiful and majestic. This is not like jogging around a track at the local high school, or going for a long walk on sidewalks through the suburban subdivision.

I got so into it, I began hiking twice a week – taking four-hour lunch breaks from work to do so. (Somehow, the bosses put up with that, and never told me to go take a hike.)

Over a period of a year or so, I did it. I hiked the whole ever-lovin trail, plus a variety of connecting side trails. The second-final hike of that project was 7 miles each way (about 14 mi. round trip) that took about 8 hours. And at a pace well above escargot-class.

So I recommend hiking for Mr. Frylock. But be sure you find a really attractive venue for it, like a heavily forested mountain with well-developed hiking trails.

Risks? You might get eaten by a mountain lion.

11

Another opinion about kayaking, if you think that might float your boat:

I have a friend from college days who got really really into kayaking, so much so that it truly consumed a greater part of his adult life. It’s not for me, but if you’re comfortable on the water, then it’s worth a second look. My friend blogged his kayaking advertures for years, which is what that link points to. ETA: His blog includes extensive photography, if you drill down through all his links.

12

I second (third? fourth?) the suggestion on kayaking. It’s challenging and never boring if you change your waterway. If you aren’t trying to white water kayak, for which some training and special skills are required, you can easily get up and running with a 15 minute discussion with a knowledgeable sporting goods person. Back home, our parks department had a man-made race for kayaking and rafting built. They provided lessons for those who wanted them, and would periodically change the features on the course to change up the paddling experience a bit.

Two things to remember if you try it. 1 - It can be just a tad panicking when you roll over for the first time (and you will). Your instinct is to try to break free of the kayak and that’s exactly what you shouldn’t try to do. Consider the kayak as an extension of your body and roll to the side to right yourself, just as you’d do if you were swimming. 2 - Purposely roll yourself a few times in still water so you can practice the reaction. Do make sure your still water is deep enough to take your full seated height, however, as you don’t want to clunk your head.

Then, enjoy! It’s good exercise and incredibly refreshing on a hot day.

13

So many Dopers here in IMHO are going to be thoroughly shocked by my answer…

Add another martial art to your fencing skills.

Yes, you’ll need instruction for the basics but that’s true of just about any sport or activity. Really, though, the onus is on you to practice the punches, kicks, steps, whatever on your own when you’re not in class. Most martial arts students don’t really understand that – in fact, there’s even a subculture of “Kata (practice patterns) is Useless!” amongst those who don’t comprehend the need or benefits of individual practice.

Alternatively, you might also look into dance or yoga, which also benefit from focused solo practice.

–G!

14

What you describe sounds awesome, even to me who kind of doesn’t like to be outside a lot… :wink: But I don’t think there is good hiking in Indianapolis unfortunately. I just looked up the Indy Hiking Club and their schedule is full of basically, not hikes but walks…

ETA: Climbing also is something that came to mind as I was pondering this. But here in Indy? Ain’t nothin’ to climb…

15

Also tennis on a court with a practice backboard…though I see a lot of courts with no backboard now.

16

Indoor rock climbing. Convenient and very mentally challenging as you are trying to figure out how to get from one hold to the next. Courses are laid out with all different difficulty levels. Bouldering is like rock climbing at lower height and you don’t always need a parter. Some places will have auto retracting ropes you can hook into so you can climb higher without a parter and the rope will safely let you down. And often, there are people looking for parters, so you generally won’t have too much trouble if you need one.

17

Second! Absolutely. It’s low-impact aerobics, with a view. Even if you just walk around a suburban neighborhood, it can be scenic. If you’re lucky enough to have a nature trail handy, it’s all the better.

In San Diego, there’s Mission Trails Regional Park, and I’ve been eating that place alive for the past four years. (I didn’t even know it existed before that, and I’ve lived here all my life!) I’ve seen coyotes, deer, a bobcat, a good dozen rattlesnakes, and, just yesterday, in fact, a roadrunner. (Coyotes and roadrunners: this could get dangerous…) I’ve never seen a cougar, but they have been seen in the park.

A pleasant four-mile walk is a great way to let the imagination have free rein. You can think things through – or just mull on 'em. On hot days, walk a shorter loop (and carry water.) On cold days, take a jacket. On rainy days…

Oh, wait, I’m in San Diego. We don’t get rainy days… (Sigh. The “San Diego River” is what, in most other parts of the country, you’d call a little creek.)

18

I’m mostly solo cyclist. I’m not fast but have decent endurance.
Cycling is fast enough you can get somewhere interesting in a short amount of time, but slow enough to experience the scenery.

Brian

19

I do indoor stationary cycling, which I know sounds very boring, but I do it reading a good book on my tablet. Sometimes, I don’t let myself go back to the book UNLESS I’m on the bike. That disciplines me to keep up with my exercise goals. Reading a good book makes the time fly by and I even forget that I’m exercising. Of course this works best if you are a book-lover.

Also, it’s pretty much weather-independent. Unless there’s a tornado and I have to go to the basement.

20

Group aerobics classes which use dance are fun in their own right. Zumba is probably the most widely-taught one. It starts with simple moves and you add on according to your ability. I get the sense that most people are in the class because they like the class rather than they’re trying to get a workout.