1. Walking and running may be very traditional forms of exercise that don't require a co-ordinated lycra outfit, but that doesn't mean they aren't good for you. They're also free, and your workout begins the moment you step outside the front door.
All you need is some comfortable clothing and a good pair of walking or running shoes. It's probably also a good idea to get a running or walking partner who lives nearby, both for safety reasons and because you're far more likely to enjoy yourself and stick to your workout schedule if you're accountable to someone else.
2. Cycling is one of the fastest-growing sports in South Africa and you can choose between getting down and dirty with the mountain bikers, or being swift and speedy on the roads. Both have their hazards, but road racing is particularly dangerous because motorists tend to be intolerant of cyclists, so ensure you wear a helmet and always try to cycle with at least one other person. Cycling with a group is even better, since it ensures you're visible.
3. Rope-skipping seems fairly simple, but just try it and see how unfit you really are! Boxers use rope-skipping a lot to improve their fitness – it really is a high-intensity aerobic exercise and you can do it anywhere.
4. Climbing isn't an everyday activity, but there are a number of rock-climbing and mountaineering clubs dotted around the country, which will get you started. Climbing uses every muscle group in your body and will also improve your mental agility and ability to focus. And let's not forget the friends you'll make and the spectacular views you're likely to encounter! This is an ideal option for those who aren't afraid of heights.
5. Hiking is another activity catered for by several clubs around the country, and is a far less daunting prospect than scaling plateaux, although it can occasionally include some steep hills. It's a very sociable activity too, and great fun, since it can incorporate camping, bird-watching and photography.
What's more, South Africa is a hikers' paradise, with numerous spectacularly beautiful routes to choose from. You'll need to be fit enough to keep up the pace, though, so start off with gentle, beginners' rambles of an hour or two before attempting a three- or four-day trail.
6. Tennis isn't just for girls in pearls and white skirts – it's a great social activity and an excellent form of aerobic exercise. It will also improve your hand eye co-ordination. If you've never learnt to play, you'll need lessons first – most tennis clubs will be able to refer you to a coach, and there are tennis clubs dotted all over the country.
7. Adult beginner ballet or hip-hop dance classes are all the rage at the moment, and any form of dance is really great exercise. Ballet, in particular, will improve your cardiovascular fitness, provided you do two or more classes a week, and will also leave you with toned muscles, more stamina and greater flexibility. Hip-hop classes will have you shaking up, down and sideways in no time at all!
8. Spin yoga classes are a little harder to find, but they combine the aerobic and fitness benefits of spinning with the flexibility and centredness you get from yoga. You'll start with a slightly shortened spinning class, and then climb off the bike for the yoga session. It's a great way to keep all your muscles, tendons and ligaments long and lean.
9. Boxercise is a kick-ass form of exercise – literally! And there are various different forms of it, from straight boxing-based classes to varieties of kickboxing, to Billy Blanks' Tae-Bo, which you can purchase on video and do at home.
Some gyms offer kickboxing classes, but there are also private boxercise studios in various areas. It offers a superb cardiovascular workout, and will also tone every muscle in your body and improve your strength.
10. Martial arts classes such as judo, karate and tae kwon-do are also really good workouts and have the added benefit of teaching you some self-defence moves, as well as strength and agility. And, as with many forms of Eastern exercise, the mind-body connection is very important. These classes are very easy to find, as they've been popular in South Africa for many years.
Bruce Lee wannabee? Dojos are listed on SA Martial arts.
Do you have any ideas? Tell us how you beat the winter bleugh below.
