Unique activities to try in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond

As we go about our lives, there are so many things to consider. Not just the small everyday things like what to wear, what to eat and who to spend time with. There are also broader considerations such as how much sleep you should be getting and how to support your overall health as you age.

As part of our Choosi Age Series, we explore the benefits of exercise and trying new activities throughout your life. With our suggestions for unique activities to try in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond, you might just find something you instantly fall in love with!

The importance of different activities at any age

No matter your current age or how physically active you are, implementing a regular exercise regimen can result in a number of benefits, improving your:

• Quality of sleep
• Brain health
• Bone and muscle strength
• Mental wellbeing
• Overall quality of life
• And much more…

But it’s natural for humans to get bored of doing the same thing day in, day out – and this includes exercise. Depending on your physical capabilities and any unexpected injuries or illnesses, you may simply no longer be able to do the sport or activity that you enjoy most.

So, to help keep your body and mind healthy at any age, we explore some unconventional – although incredibly rewarding – activities for you to try at different life stages.

What to try in your 20s

Try rock climbing

One of the best reasons to take up rock climbing from a relatively young age is that it can help build muscle strength, which is harder to achieve as your body ages. Not only is it a full-body exercise, but it will help improve your flexibility and balance, and may even boost brain function, with a study focusing on older participants suggesting an increase in cognitive function by up to 15%.

Join a rowing club

Just like rock climbing, rowing offers a full-body workout. It’s a great way to burn calories, keep your heart healthy, tone your muscles and strengthen your core. When you join an outdoor rowing club, you may also get the interpersonal benefits of creating friendships with like-minded rowers, which can be good for your mental wellbeing. If you are keen on rowing at an older age but don’t want to join a club, then using your gym’s rowing machine could be the perfect compromise.

Staying active and entertained in your 30s

Aerial yoga classes

This exhilarating yet mindful activity combines the best parts of yoga with fun poses in an aerial hammock. While it’s a unique type of yoga to try, it’s become a staple of many people’s exercise routine thanks to its potential to offer deep health advantages – this may include improved flexibility, stability and balance, as well as improved mental health and reduced risk factors for heart disease.

Learn Krav Maga

For those who are unfamiliar with Krav Maga, you might have heard about it being more of a violent fighting technique than a fun way to stay fit. But this self-defence martial art is about more than just beating your opponent.

Practitioners can enjoy greater self-confidence as they learn new techniques to protect themselves. It’s an intense way to get a great workout and quickly improve your fitness level. And it will also help increase your awareness of your surroundings – not only in how to watch out for dangers, but also how to deescalate and avoid confrontations.

Fun and fit in your 40s

Align your sights with archery

When you are busy with work and family life, you might not have the time or energy for an intense cardio workout every day. Instead, why not pick up a low-impact sport like archery?

It can be great for improving your focus and hand-eye coordination, and the strength needed to draw your bow over and over will quickly strengthen your arms, core, chest and shoulders. Plus, it’s a great way to socialise and build your confidence at tournaments.

Jump on the pickleball bandwagon

It’s a sport that has seemingly popped up from nowhere and become the go-to for social players. But pickleball has been around since the 1960s and it comes with many of the health benefits of playing tennis without the same risk of a hard-wearing impact on your body. It’s a fantastic cardio workout, can be great for lowering your risk of heart disease, and when you raise your aerobic intensity your body will release all those feel-good endorphins to help relieve stress and anxiety.

Staying accountable with exercise in your 50s

Take up line dancing

If you’ve hit your 50s and no longer feel comfortable at your local gym or if you’re too busy to take up a new sport, line dancing could be the ideal fit. For those who have ever been interested in dance, it can be an easy skill to learn. Plus, line dancing is actually more demanding than it looks – so expect to improve your balance, learn basic footwork, master the art of staying in time with a beat, and earn a sense of pride by learning something new.

Boost your physical and mental health with pétanque

You might already be familiar with this social sport as boules. Simple to learn but challenging to master, pétanque is a low-impact activity that brings together people from all walks of life who just want to have a bit of fun.

But don’t be fooled by its accessibility – pétanque requires concentration, tactics and strategy to come out on top. If you want to get outside more often while also playing a stress-relieving game among friends, pétanque deserves a chance.

Taking care of your body and mind

Just because we’ve placed rock climbing in your 20s doesn’t mean you can’t try it at an older age. In fact, many people may find the activities they most enjoy are those they try in their later years. What’s really important is that you take care of your body, consider protecting the life you’ve built for your family, and continue to exercise for your physical and mental health.

If you have made any major life changes recently or you simply want to find a more appropriate life insurance policy for your circumstances, Choosi can help you compare what’s available. Find a policy from a range of insurers today by comparing quotes.