For some, exercise is a passion. For others, it seems to be a four-lettered word, or in this case an eight-letter word. But, it doesn’t have to be a dreaded event. You can make your exercise fun. It can mean more than running for hours on the treadmill or climbing the stair master until your legs feel like Jell-O.

You can get in shape by doing things that you love to do. Take sports for example—when you’re playing a heated game of basketball with your buddies, it doesn’t feel like exercise, but more like just a good time between friends. A good tennis match on a Saturday afternoon can help to relieve stress just as much as a good run around the track would.

Take advantage of your geographic location. If you live close to mountains or countryside get out there hiking or rock climbing, these pusuits are great exercise without them feeling like it. Getting out into nature and climbing a mountain filled with beautiful trees, rocks and birds can do wonders for the body and the soul. There's nothing like the great outdoors, being at one with your surroundings rejuvenates you making you feel alive.

Perhaps you live close to a beach and not in the countryside or mountainous areas. There are endless opportunities to work out there. From strolling through the sandy beaches to fun-filled beach volleyball games, you can be shaping up without being stuck inside a gym. If your at home on the water there are so many things to do that are gonna keep you in shape like surfing, water skiing and wake boarding.

Some other fun ideas to get active without the dread that you feel when you hear the word exercise are bike riding, swimming or dancing. Round up a few friends and take a bike ride together on a prepared city trail. It's great fun and you won't even realise it's actually exercise. Or, take the kids swimming at the local pool. Not only will they love it, you’ll be burning calories right and left as you chase the kids around, attend underwater tea parties and teach them how to dive. Swimming is fun and will give your body the exercise it needs, without the thought of going to do a good work out.

Dancing is another fabulous way to sneak in some exercise. Whatever style of dancing you prefer from ballroom to line dancing to hitting the dancefloor in a nightclub, you will benefit from a good workout without realising it.