Workout Ideas

Not another boring fitness guide

Every new year we all make the same resolution to *drumroll please* ‘get fit’. Weren't expecting that, were you? And while these fitness goals are admirable, it's no shocker that not many of us stick to them post-January and are seeking out realistic exercise ideas come February. That’s where TK Maxx comes in...

Our handy guide is chock-full of exercise ideas and gym outfit ideas to help you look and feel great all year round without having to resort to cabbage soup diets and gruelling regimes. It’s fitness, but fun!

Fitness myths debunked

First things first, let's pooh-pooh all the misconceptions

  • We won’t lie, if you had buckets of cash for an elite personal trainer… then you’d definitely get fit. But for us mere penny-pinched mortals, running is free, as is exercise at home, as are free gym trials (fake moustache at the ready).

  • When you’ve got a glittering social life and multiple weekly appointments with your Netflix account, time's at a premium. So fit workout plans around your busy schedule by trying HIIT — even a short 20 minute sesh will give you a huge health boost.

  • Yeah, posh gyms are great. You get fluffy towels and part-time models on reception. But those things won’t make you any fitter. Your local gym has exactly the same equipment, all that matters is that you use it.

  • Arnold Schwarzenegger wasn’t born with bulging biceps, so don’t let a lack of knowledge deter you. Check out videos on YouTube, go to a few new classes, ask friends and just give fitness a go. You’ll be surprised how quickly you progress.

Our top 5 workout ideas

Contender, select your sport. Now you’ve decided to get fit, you need to choose how. When it comes to exercise ideas, there's literally something for every age, ability and fitness level. From low-impact workout ideas like walking, cycling and yoga to high-impact workouts like HIIT, running and tennis, the fitness world's your oyster. To make life easier, we’ve highlighted some of the more popular routes to fitness below.

1. Say yes to yoga

There's more to yoga than omming your way through a 45 minute class. It’s one of the best beginner workouts and has been proven to reduce stress, increase flexibility and improve posture. Probably why its popularity is on the rise then, eh? To get your om on and nama-slay, you’ll need low-impact activewear, a yoga mat of your own and an open mind.

2. Keep on running

Running is the great fitness leveller and one of the OG workout ideas as you can run pretty much anywhere and it’s free. All you need is a decent pair of trainers and enough sense of direction to get you back home. (And if you can’t manage that, there’s loads of apps to help keep you on track!) Set yourself a distance or time target and work to smash it. 5km is a great place to start, but before you’re smashing that, you’ll need a well-fitting pair of running trainers…

3. One HIIT wonder

HIIT stands for high intensity interval training which means you do short, sharp bursts of activity followed by periods of rest. Sounds hardcore? It is, but it’s so effective that you can torch some serious calories in even a short gym session. Plus a HIIT workout is proven to keep your metabolism ramped up hours and hours after your session. Fancy a go? You’ll need to secure some high-impact gym essentials. Good job we’ve got 'em for up to 60% less*.

4. Dive into your local pool

Swimming is something we tend to do only on our holidays, but it’s a fantastic full-body workout idea that’s suitable for all levels of fitness. Whether you’re a front crawler or a backstroker, wearing the right swimwear is a must. Invest in a well-fitting costume or trunks to avoid any awkward flashing (or uncomfortable wedgies!) and protect your peepers from the chlorine with a pair of goggles. Head to your local pool or outdoor lido for that #holidayfeeling.

5. The great outdoors

This is one for the thrifty amongst us. If you opt for outdoor workouts, then you don’t have to pay for a gym membership (clever). From hikes and bike rides to cross-country running and even climbing, the fitness world’s your oyster when it comes to the great outdoors. Just make sure you’re protected against the famously grim (sorry, temperamental) UK weather with water repellent activewear and cold-beating fleeces from yours truly.

Hit the ground running with our gym outfit ideas

If you’re gymming it, donning the right kit is key. Look to breathable fabrics with high stretch and flexibility. Sweat-wicking tops are a gym essential to deter BO (nobody wants to be *that* person), as are well-fitting bottoms that don’t budge mid-workout. Keep it simple — the foundation to all gym outfit ideas is a high-support sports bra, a sweat-wicking top (vest or T-shirt), flexible bottoms, breathable ankle socks and a pair of all-rounder trainers with shock absorption.

The workout essentials you won’t wanna be without…

Recovery is just as important as the workout itself...