Not motivated to get to the gym? NPR’s Michaeleen Doucleff explores how functional exercise, such as gardening or taking care of chickens, racks up steps and squats.

Every morning, every evening, no matter what the weather's like, no matter how tired I am, I come out here and take care of these ladies. (SOUNDBITE OF CHICKEN CLUCKING) DOUCLEFF: I feed them.

Every morning, every evening, no matter what the weather's like, no matter how tired I am, I come out here and take care of these ladies. (SOUNDBITE OF CHICKEN CLUCKING) DOUCLEFF: I feed them.

Every morning, every evening, no matter what the weather's like, no matter how tired I am, I come out here and take care of these ladies. (SOUNDBITE OF CHICKEN CLUCKING) DOUCLEFF: I feed them.

Every morning, every evening, no matter what the weather's like, no matter how tired I am, I come out here and take care of these ladies. (SOUNDBITE OF CHICKEN CLUCKING) DOUCLEFF: I feed them.

Every morning, every evening, no matter what the weather's like, no matter how tired I am, I come out here and take care of these ladies. (SOUNDBITE OF CHICKEN CLUCKING) DOUCLEFF: I feed them.

Every morning, every evening, no matter what the weather's like, no matter how tired I am, I come out here and take care of these ladies. (SOUNDBITE OF CHICKEN CLUCKING) DOUCLEFF: I feed them.