Looking to keep fit and do some good along the way? Exercise through volunteering is a great idea for those who struggle to motivate themselves to get fit. By taking on a project that involves some level of activity, you’ll get to exercise without even thinking about it.
So, what types of volunteer work can you do that can help with your fitness goals? Below, you’ll discover some great volunteering projects that combine doing good with keeping fit.
Volunteer Firefighter
If you want to do some real good while keeping fit, why not become a volunteer firefighter? This will require a good level of fitness and training to get into. However, you’ll get to help save lives while keeping fit.
You’ll find rural fire departments are particularly in need of volunteers. There will usually be a set number of hours you’ll need to provide each week. It won’t be for everyone but if you need a tough challenge and want to really help people, a volunteer firefighter position is ideal.
Physical Outdoor Jobs
Another option is to take on a physical outdoor volunteer placement. You’ll find hundreds of options here, helping to get you out into nature while keeping fit.
A great idea is to help build and improve trails. You’ll find thousands of miles of trails across the US are in need of improvement. All you have to do is visit your local state or national park to see what help they need.
Other outdoor physical volunteering jobs you can take on include gardening projects, building and clean-up projects.
Home Improvements
If you’re great with DIY, you could take on home improvement volunteer jobs. A great scheme to look into is Habitat for Humanity. They help to build and improve houses for people and communities, greatly improving their lives.
You’ll find local opportunities, alongside travel opportunities if you’d prefer. The feeling you’ll get after helping to complete a new family home for those in need is unbeatable. You’ll also stay fit as you carry out a lot of lifting and DIY tasks.
If you can’t find any local opportunities, you could always ask neighbors if they need any help. Elderly neighbors, for example, may need some DIY tasks completing around the home.
Animal Aid Volunteering
If you love animals, you can also combine your passion with exercise. There is lots of animal-based volunteering work you can do. You could volunteer at your local animal sanctuary, for example.
If you were to work at a dog rescue center, you’d get to stay fit by looking after the dogs and walking them. At animal shelters, there are lots of physical tasks that need to be completed. So, combining your love of animals with volunteering and exercise is easy.
These are just some of the ways you can combine your exercise with volunteering. If you take a look at your local volunteering center, you should be able to find a lot of opportunities that will keep you fit.