Get Fit for Summer: Outdoor Workout Ideas

With summer quickly approaching, you may be beginning to stress about getting that beach body and shedding off the winter hibernation weight. Incorporating workouts while staying outside in the warm summer sun is a great way to get some vitamin D while also getting in a fun workout! It’s important, however, to remember to stay hydrated since you’ll be outside in the sun. Also, remember to dress appropriately in cooling clothing and coat yourself with sunscreen! Listen to your body, take breaks when needed, and enjoy the summer sun. 

RUNNING OR JOGGING

Lace-up your running shoes and hit the pavement! Find a scenic route in your neighborhood or in a nearby park or trail to run through. Switch it up every now and then so you don’t get tired of running the same routes. You can even grab a friend and jog together, which is also a great way to keep each other accountable for working out every day! Enjoy the fresh air this summer while running when you can!

HIKING

Take advantage of the good weather and the beautiful scenery by going on daily or weekly hikes. Find a local trail or even a nearby park with gorgeous flora and windy roads to hike through. Hiking is a great way to connect with nature, and also workout your leg muscles as you trek through the trails. Hiking also will help you increase your endurance and stamina. By the end of the summer, you’ll be able to hike long distances during any other time of year! Just remember to follow park rules and ordinances and don’t wander off any trails or paths without guidance or permission! 

OUTDOOR CIRCUIT TRAINING

Circuit training is the combination of six or more exercises. They are performed with short periods of rest in between these exercises and each exercise is done for a certain number of repetitions (reps) or for a certain number of minutes each time. One circuit is completed once the entire set of chosen workouts to do have been completed. You can create a personalized circuit workout fit for the outdoors, like pushups, squats, burpees, and curl-ups. Find a nearby park or open area with benches or playground equipment to use for any exercises you add to your circuit. 

SWIMMING

If you have access to a pool or beach, swimming is a great workout for your entire body, and also a great way to cool off from the hot summer sun. You can even incorporate another one of these previously mentioned workouts, and end the day with a quick swim for an additional workout! There are so many types of things you can do in the pool for different workouts! Whether it be multiple laps around the pool, water aerobics, or even a fun game of water volleyball, swimming is a low-impact way to tone your body and various muscle groups.

BEACH WORKOUTS

For those that are fortunate enough to live near the beach, heading to the beach for a morning or evening workout is probably one of the best motivators out there to maintain a regular outdoor workout routine! Take advantage of the sandy terrain on the beach to challenge yourself in your workouts! Running or jogging along the beach is much harder than you think it is! Even simply walking on the beach engages more leg muscles than walking on flat land, due to the instability and multitude of the sand.