You love being in shape, and you love looking good and feeling strong. The problem is that you hate hitting the gym. It's not that you don't enjoy fitness. You do. You just were never able to get into arbitrarily lifting heavy things and putting them back down, no matter how much you tried.

Thankfully, there's more than one way to get strong and fit. Here are 5 activities that will help you get that rock hard body you're after:

1. Taekwondo. While not a martial art that is well known for teaching you street moves that will have muggers offer you money not to hurt them (for that, try Israel's Krav Maga), it is great for keeping in shape. Taekwondo training is known for emphasizing anaerobic and aerobic training as well as stretching to keep limber. It also has a lot of sparring which is a lot of fun and can really help boost self confidence.

2. Fencing. Fitness books, magazines, and websites like this probably wouldn't be around today if it weren't for fencing. Why? Because one of the first documented events of people being payed to write about their sport is fencing. The physical training required for fencing is bound to help you get in shape, especially with the added incentive that if you aren't in peak condition, the chances of your opponent jabbing a sharp, pointy object into you is much higher.

"This is the last time I take up a sport because Rafi recommended it on the internet..." - Guy on the right.

3. Swimming. Have you ever seen a swimmer who doesn't look good? Swimming will work muscles that you didn't even know exist. It's also one of the highest fat burning activities there is, which is actually sort of ironic when you think that fat helps you float...

4. Soccer. Unlike hockey players, who have huge ripped hips for checking people, or bowling, where you can tell who's a pro by the difference between their arms, soccer is known for giving its players a hard, toned body built for agility and finesse rather than a hulking gorilla. If you're looking to pick up a sport to get strong, and also are interested in having a skill that will allow you to befriend any person out of the U.S., then this is the sport for you.

5. Windsurfing. Windsurfing won't necessarily build up your muscles, but it's known for being exceptionally good at toning your body because of the muscle tension you have while holding on. If you love the water, and you're looking for a more physical, cheaper alternative to sailing as an ocean activity, then it's time to think about surfing with the wind.

Rafi Bar-Lev is a former combat medic and the founder of Passionate Fitness.

Follow him on twitter.