Fit City

40 Ways to Have Fun & Stay Fit

By Kasey Cordell and Sally Powers

For many Americans, it apparently rates with taxes and cleaning the gutters. Fully 34 percent of respondents in an MSNBC poll reported that they “hate hate hate it!” Another 24 percent said they merely “tolerate it.”

The “it,” of course, is exercise.

Frankly, we don’t get what all the whining is about. Fitness need not require a monotonous program of gym circuits and PowerBars, especially in a city like Portland. We have two rivers, after all, not to mention the West Hills and the largest relay race in the entire world. According to Men’s Fitness, we rank among the nation’s Top 10 Fittest Cities, based on factors like park acreage and number of fitness clubs, proving that many Portlanders have discovered the secret to staying fit: having fun.

But you can’t just go at a fitness plan all willy-nilly and expect real results. Which is why we decided to focus on the three areas that the American Council on Exercise says every routine should include: aerobic exercise (to tune your ticker), strength training (to build muscles and bones) and stretching (to improve your range of motion).

Although your doctor or trainer should weigh in before you start any exercise program, especially if you’re over 40, you can assess your own fitness level with our easy at-home tests (don’t worry, everyone passes). Whether you’re battling the bulge or sculpting a six-pack, you can then use your results to find the action plan that’s right for you.

Fear not: None requires logging fast laps at the local high school track or buying one of those bizarre ThighMaster contraptions. Instead, our regimens include salsa classes, kayaking, horseback riding and yoga, just the kind of activities that will add bliss to your summer and years to your life.