Photo: Dougal Waters / DigitalVision / Getty Images
If you’ve ever thought your treadmill routine was getting boring, you’re not alone, and some people are going to wild lengths to shake up their fitness game. From underwater cycling to using live animals as gym equipment, the world of unconventional workouts is filled with creativity, confusion, and just a little chaos. (and funny videos for us to see)
🐧 Penguin Workouts: Fitness with Flippers
Yes, you read that right. In a video making the rounds online, people are jogging, lunging, and stretching alongside live penguins at an aquarium. Turns out, some wildlife parks offer animal-assisted fitness sessions to encourage enrichment for both humans and animals. Penguins waddling alongside your lunges? Honestly, sign us up.
🧼 Goat Yoga: Bahhh-lance and Flexibility
This trend started in Oregon but has spread everywhere (wonder if you can rent a goat, I'll start shopping in a bit). You do a traditional yoga flow while tiny goats climb all over your back. Some people say it’s calming, others say it’s chaotic—but either way, it’s a workout that’s both physical and highly Instagrammable.
🦆 Duck Running Clubs (this one was a new one for me too)
In parts of Asia, groups of runners jog while herding ducks—literally running in formation with flocks of quacking birds. It’s part exercise, part coordination drill, and part…farm chore?
🎮 VR Sword Fighting
VR games have moved beyond passive fun. Now, people are breaking a sweat slashing through digital enemies with foam swords in their living rooms. Bonus points if you don’t knock over a lamp.
🧹 Broomstick Core Training
Made popular on TikTok (duh), broomstick workouts involve holding a broom across your shoulders while doing squats, twists, and balance moves. It’s simple, awkward, and surprisingly effective for your core.
There are a lot more. Like silent disco parties, Furniture fitness where you use a chair or something around the house you would normally sit on, snake stretching which should be pretty self explanatory, and more.
So maybe next time you're bored with your workout routine, trade in the dumbbells for ducks? It's a thought.