I love to exercise.

Correction: I like to exercise.

Correct, correction: I like to exercise when the workout routine requires anything but running.

I know, I know. I've heard it all before, "If you run often enough, you'll eventually love it."

Nevertheless, I loathe the exercise that requires I put one foot in front of the other for long periods of time. And no matter how often I do it, I find that no amount of suffering through it makes me enjoy the experience any more.

I get it, some people naturally love running. However, I and many others are just not built for it and all its wonders. Even though we are happy to be left out of the strenuous activities running entails, this hatred does, admittedly, leave us out of the calorie-burning benefits running has to offer. So, what do we do?

Don't sweat it. For those of us that hate running, or like running but want a change, here are some calorie-burning alternatives that don't require you give into the peer pressure of being about that running life. Besides, these exercises burn more calories than running anyway. Check them out:

Jumping Rope

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Average Calorie Burn: 13 calories per minute

Unlike running, when you jump rope, you experience only moderate joint activity. Your wrists and ankles get most of the work, and your elbows, calves, and shoulders get a slight bit of involvement.

Compared to running, much of the impact of jumping rope is taken through the leg muscles. The erect posture and long spine force the abdominal muscles to hold your core tight and work in perfect coordination with the back muscles to form the same kind of internal pressure as a weight belt. All of this supports your torso and transfers energy more efficiently through your body. Long story short: jumping rope is better on your body than running. It also helps you burn more calories.

According to Harvard Health Publications, "An 155-pound person will burn about 596 calories running at five miles per hour for an hour, [meanwhile,] the same person will burn 744 calories in an hour of jumping rope."

Bonus:Jump rope will increase your stamina, reduce health risks, and manage chronic condition such as high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Featured image by Getty Images

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Originally published January 25, 2019