It's January, and many of us have fitness goals on the brain. While going for a run will always be a classic way to workout (no shade to runners—running weekly is one of my goals this year!), there are SO many more ideas for working out to explore! Whether you're a seasoned fitness pro or just dipping in a toe, we've rounded up 35+ ways to workout in today's blog post. We hope you find an exercise activity that fires you up, gets your blood pumping, and—best of all—makes you want to keep going all year.

35+ Ways to Workout
Barre class
Studio barre classes are low-impact, dynamic, and fun! Focusing on isometric movements, balance, and core, they're a great fit for former dancers and anyone who wants more tone. Look for brand names like Pure Barre and Barre3.
Basketball
Whether you shoot hoops in your driveway or join a pick-up league at your local church or rec center, basketball is a dynamic cardio workout.
Beach volleyball
Whether you live near a beach or not, there's likely a crew of beach volleyball enthusiasts near you! An incredible workout if you don't mind a little sand up your shorts :)
Climbing stairs
While you could certainly get a Stairmaster involved, any old set of household stairs will do! Cultivate's founder, Lara, would famously explain to conference attendees how climbing up and down the stairs in her house was her favorite workout when her kids were really little. And whew—as anyone knows who's logged a few sets of ups-and-downs, it really is a workout! Bonus points for being able to do it anywhere and with no additional equipment.
CrossFit
Perhaps the best known group fitness class right now, CrossFit features functional movements that challenge the whole body and prepare you for the physicality life requires. Most CrossFit gyms around the world invite their members to complete the "Workout of the Day," which changes daily.
Cycling
Whether indoor or outdoor, cycling is an incredible low-impact cardio workout. Because you can cover large distances faster than running, it's a fun way to explore the back roads and byways of your local area, too.
F3
Standing for Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith, F3 is a completely-free, completely-outdoor workout for men led by volunteers. (So ladies, maybe pass this idea on to your favorite guys!) Highlighted by the NYTimes as pushing back against our world's growing culture of loneliness, these small workout groups are known for building strong bonds between members.
Gardening
It sounds lightweight, but gardening can be an incredible full-body workout! Between bending, squatting, and twisting to get plants in the ground to lugging heavy pots and bags of soil, growing good things can help you grow good muscles, too.
Hiking
It's like a walk, just in the woods! :) In addition to being more scenic than your average neighborhood walk, hiking can also introduce more varied terrain, more elevation changes, and even some light bouldering—all of which can up your workout's intensity. And it gets you out in some of the prettiest natural environments, to boot!
Jumping rope
Not just for kids! Jumping rope is an incredible full-body workout, takes little equipment, and requires little space. Just lace up your best set of sneakers and get ready for a cardio showdown.
Kickboxing
It's both a strength and cardio workout, and you can kick and punch as hard as you like! Perfect for blowing off steam—and getting in a workout and having fun as you do.
Martial arts
Martial arts is an umbrella term for combat-inspired workouts like jujutsu, judo, karate, and muay thai. All of these disciplines are known for not only providing a workout, but contributing to mental and even spiritual development for those who take part.
Ninja gym
With an ever-changing jungle of apparatus like rings, ladders, beams, cargo nets, and walls, ninja gyms are a utopia of endless opportunities to challenge yourself and increase in strength, balance, and agility.
Orangetheory
Known for leaving adherents very, very sweaty, Orangetheory is an all-in-one, dynamic blend of strength and cardio training that supercharges your metabolism to burn more calories and build lean muscle. Live coaches guide you through workouts designed for all fitness levels while your data is captured in real time to track progress and celebrate wins.
Online dance videos
If you can't get to a class in person, there are plenty of options for fitness dance classes on YouTube and streaming! A few beloved options in the Cultivate community guaranteed to raise your heart rate and bring a smile to your face: growwithjo, Dance2Fit, and MadFit.
Peloton
Whether you bought their signature bike in the Pandemic or are just interested in using the app for at-home fitness, Peloton is a one-stop-shop for dynamic instructors and engaging classes of all levels from the comfort of your home. Best known for their cycling and tread classes, membership also includes access to thousands of live and on-demand classes for strength, rowing, dance cardio, yoga, and more.
Pickleball
Whether you're 9, 39, or 79, you've probably tried pickleball in the last few years! Popular with all ages, this sport—described as a combination of tennis and ping pong— is beloved for its ease of entry, opportunity to grow in skill (it's addicting!), and sociability. Look for a league near you or just ask some friends to play!
Pilates
Pilates is a type of mind-body exercise that features slow, controlled movements and aims to increase muscle tone and stability. Enthusiasts will tell you it's a major core workout! Look for a local studio near you or tune into YouTube favorites like our friend Robin Long or Blogilates.
Playing with your kids
Anyone who's chased a toddler didn't think twice when they saw this one on the list! Whether you're playing at home or on-the-go, there are so many opportunities to get your sweat on—and engage with your kids—in everyday family life. Playgrounds, especially, are a treasure trove of opportunities to balance, climb, run, and activate your core!
Rollerblading
The '90s called, and they're happy to share their favorite sport! :) Whether you grew up inline skating around the cul-de-sac or not, roller blading is a fun way to get outside, explore your city or town, and get in a workout for all ages. Just don't forget your helmet and pads!
Rock climbing
Combining core strength, flexibility, grip strength, upper body strength, and a bit of nerve, rock climbing is a great fit for those who want their workout to look different each outing. Start with an indoor gym and graduate to local rock faces as you gain skill.
Rowing
Whether you're pulling on a machine or on the water, rowing is a low-impact, high-intensity workout that can build muscle, increase endurance, and burn fat. Mastering the extremely-narrow racing shell or rowing in tandem with a crew are great achievements to work toward!
Rucking
Sounds fancy, but rucking is simply walking with weight on your back. Originating from military training, it has fully crossed-over into the mainstream. (If you've ever seen dog walkers or suburban moms out and about with weighted vests, now you know what they are doing!) Rucking is simple, it gets you outside, and it can give you a host of health benefits, including building muscle and strength while improving cardio and endurance. (You can burn up to three times more calories than walking alone.) The pressure the weight puts on your muscles and joints also helps to build bone density, which is particularly important for women.
Running
A classic for a reason! Though running can be tough on joints, it's the ultimate cardio workout and a guaranteed way to boost your VO2 max level, an important indicator of longevity. Join a run club for additional accountability and community!
Soccer
Many of us played soccer growing up, but more of us should get back into as adults! Running the length of the pitch is an incredible cardio workout, and being part of a team is a great community-builder and mood-booster, too.
Softball
Whether you played as a kid or not, adult rec softball leagues are a classic community-oriented workout opportunity. Pitch, hit, and run as you make friends and move your body.
Swimming
Have a neighborhood or backyard pool? Pull on your swim cap and swim a few laps! Swimming is the ultimate low-impact exercise. Look for a YMCA or municipal aquatic center for a low-cost indoor pool.
Tennis
Whether you grew up hitting aces or have never swung a racquet, tennis is a great full body work out and fun for all ages. Look for rec league classes, a local league, or just grab a friend and head to the court.
Traditional dance class
While trendy barre classes are all the rage, traditional dance studios often offer classes for adults, too! Look for ballet, jazz, hip hop, or modern offerings.
Walking
Perhaps the most unassuming of workouts, walking is still an incredible way to move your body. To motivate you to get out there, try this tip from the Cultivate community: save your favorite podcasts to listen to while on the go! Or, invite a friend and give your mental health and community connections a boost as you walk and talk.
Walking pad
If your days are full, the weather is terrible, or little kids keep you at home, a walking pad is an ingenious way to get your steps in while taking a call, researching a project, or watching a show. The newest models are inexpensive and small enough to fit under a desk!
Water aerobics
Not just for retirees! Many YMCAs, municipal aquatic centers, and even local neighborhood pools host water aerobics classes. A fun way to get moving with only low-impact movements!
Weight lifting
Once reserved for Schwarzenegger types, weight lifting is now roundly embraced by women of all ages for its many health benefits. Start with a simple set of free weights at home a few times a week and track your weights and reps as you improve—it's addicting!
Yoga
With tons of options for online and streaming classes plus a studio on seemingly every corners, yoga offers something for everyone. From gentle stretching to hot yoga, you can experiment until you find your best class fit!
Zumba
With 200,000 locations around the world, there might just be a Zumba class near you! Combining cardio and Latin-inspired dance moves, this group fitness class is perfect for those who love a workout that just feels fun.
There you have it—35+ ways to workout! Did we include your favorite? What did we miss? Sound off in the comments!