Summer is here and we’re excited to stretch our legs and get outdoors. Unlike the cold winter months, exercising during the summer can be a lot more fun, as you’re not constrained to indoor activities and staring at cream-colored walls. In fact, summer “exercise,” many times, doesn’t actually feel like exercise at all!
The key to staying in shape this summer is to stay active. Whether you hate exercising, or you’re looking for a new activity to spice up your routine, we have 6 fun ways that you can stay in shape this summer.
1. Biking
Shake off the dust from that old bike in your garage and hit the trails. Don’t have a bike? No problem — renting bikes has never been more popular or convenient. In most major cities there are bike shares that allow you to take a bike for the day and return it later. Additionally, there are often bike rentals along popular bike trails that you can rent from as well.
Not only is biking beneficial physically, but it’s also a good way to spend time with family and friends while enjoying the scenery. Whether you decide to take a bike ride by yourself, or bring the family along, biking is a great way to tone those legs for summertime.
2. Walking
Nothing’s better than taking a long walk around the neighborhood, especially when the day starts to cool off around sunset. Not only has walking been proven to show numerous health benefits, it’s also incredibly convenient (not to mention economical)!
A couple ways you can sneak walking into your summer without even knowing it are by heading to your nearest park, museum, or zoo. Not only will you cover a couple miles, but your family and grandkids will enjoy the day of activity.
3. Swimming
With pools opening for the summer, it’s time to break out the swimsuit and jump in the water. This is an especially good choice if you struggle with joint pain, as swimming is a low impact activity.
From casual swims to trying out a water aerobics class, you’ll enjoy the warm sun and cool water. Just make sure that if you are taking a casual dip in the pool that you swim a couple of laps to get those muscles moving!
4. Hiking
If you’re feeling adventurous this summer, hit the trails. With the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service this year, there’s never been a better time to take on a national park. And if you’ve never been, not to worry! We put together some advice for first-timers from a couple of national park experts.
If you don’t live close to a national park, there are plenty of local state parks that offer great trails and beautiful views as well. To find a state park close to you, check out this map to see what your state has to offer.
5. Kayaking
Kayaking is a great summer workout, especially if you’re trying to tone your arms. Not only is the water sport a good upper body exercise, it’s also something you can do with family and friends, or completely alone. On the water, you’ll also get the chance to explore and discover new places. And isn’t that what summer is all about?
6. Running
If you’re looking for a challenging summer exercise routine, running might be for you. While we know that running can be hard on your joints, if running doesn’t bother you, then putting in some miles can be incredibly rewarding.
So, if you find yourself catching the running bug, sign up for a race. Invite your family to watch on the sidelines, and get swept up in the excitement and adrenaline of race day. You can do it!
What’s your favorite summer activity? Let us know on Facebook!
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