Lucky or unlucky for some, living in Thailand means every season is beach season. This also means that you’re going to need to have your beach bod ready for each and every weekend, just in case. But daily noodles and that sweet, milky and delicious Thai tea won’t do you any favors. This means you’re going to need to get some exercise!
If you live in a Bangkok condo with a private gym, by all means, incorporate that into your daily repertoire. And if you live in a house in Bangkok, in one of those exclusive green and traffic-free (yes they do exist) areas, you can always go for a run around your neighborhood. You might also want to consider using the exercise methods and tips below:
1. Join a running club
There are several running clubs in Bangkok that you can join. One famous, international running club is the Monday Hash House Harriers which attracts a good expat crowd. You can also always start your own club. Bangkok is an amazing place for start-ups right now, whether professional or in this case, purely recreational. Advertise it on an expat forum.
2. Take part in a free class in a park
If you’ve ever walked through a park at dusk, you may have seen this awesome part of modern Thai/Asian culture. They’re aerobic classes where the instructor stands on a stage and puts on a dance class to loud Thai music. The dances are not rigorous, so could be a good start for someone who’s not particularly athletic or is trying to get into the habit of being more physically active. You can also find Thai Chi and other types of classes.
3. Dive into a swim club
Living in a tropical climate like Thailand’s where the standard of living for foreigners is generally quite high, means that as an expat, you probably live near a beach or somewhere with a pool. The same goes for most of the expats you will as well. If you’ve got a pool in your condo, why not use it to get some exercise? Swimming is one of the best (and most enjoyable) exercises in the hot weather. It’s cardio. It’s muscle-building. It’s a win-win. If you need to stay motivated, you may want to invite your neighbors or friends over in the mornings, evenings or weekends to stretch and swim together for a certain period of time. The group dynamic will keep you going and turn this awesome exercise into a habit.
