The hottest season of the year is upon us all! With the weather officially warmed up and the sun shining for hours, summer is the perfect time to find some new ways to get moving outdoors, preventing boredom and making sure your body is in tip-top shape along the way. Check out these ten fun ways to keep your body moving this summer.
Odds are, there’s a great hiking route not too far from you. This is almost definitely the case if you live in beautiful BC like I do, but there’s great hiking to be had just about anywhere, and the summer is the perfect time to get out there and experience it!
Hiking is a fantastic way to get exercise at a level that works for you. You’ll improve your cardio and get a great lower body workout while you’re at it. Since trails come in all types of difficulties and lengths, you can easily create a route that suits your abilities and desired intensity level.
Be sure to come prepared with proper shoes, water, a snack, and other outdoor essentials like a first aid kit—especially for longer hikes.
There’s no better time than summer to get out there on your bike. Whether you prefer to cruise through city streets or mountain bike on forested trails, cycling is fantastic exercise, and it’s lots of fun when the weather’s good.
Like hiking, cycling is a fantastic form of cardio exercise, while also strengthening your legs. It also has the added bonus of being virtually zero-impact, perfect for anyone who deals with pain in their knees, hips, or back. Be sure to do it the safe way—with a helmet and some bike lights—to guarantee a perfect day of summer cycling.
For many of us, swimming is synonymous with summer. It’s soothing on a hot day, fun with friends or on your own, and is a great way to get some exercise without sweating up a storm. Swimming works out almost all major muscle groups in the body, including your arms, back, legs, chest, and more. It also helps you build endurance and stamina without putting too much stress on the body.
Have a look at your area to find a good spot for a swim, whether it’s a seasonal outdoor pool, a river, a lake, or a nearby ocean beach to take your next dip in.
Summer is a fantastic time to get involved with some outdoor team sports. Soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, tennis, pickleball, ultimate frisbee—the options are nearly endless. Whether you opt for a local rec league or prefer to just organize some fun games with friends, it’s the right season to get involved with a team and have some fun together.
You can get different kinds of exercise depending on the sport you play, but almost all of them will help you build your endurance and stamina, get your heart rate up, and help you stay healthy and energized all summer.
If you prefer something a little more casual than soccer or baseball, there are still lots of fun ways to get moving with friends. The only limit to the games you play is your imagination. Spikeball is one example of a fun outdoor game that can get pretty high-octane, but there’s also croquet, bocci or even capture the flag. These are especially great for family events with loads of kids, helping them burn off some steam and stay active.
Yes, you heard that right! Gardening is a great form of exercise, and it has the added benefit of beautifying a space and/or providing tasty produce. If you’ve got space in your yard or a community garden in your area, gardening is a great way to get a little physical workout in. And since you’ll be tending to your garden to keep it in good shape, you’ll feel motivated to keep at it all summer.
Climbing is a fantastic way to exercise your arms, back, and core. Take a look online to find a rock climbing or bouldering gym in your neighbourhood. Many offer classes for first-timers, giving you a chance to pick up some basic skills and start having some fun while getting a great workout.
Summer is also a great time for outdoor climbing and bouldering, but you should only attempt it with the proper equipment (e.g., crash pads, harnesses, ropes, etc.) and experienced leaders.
Not looking to exert yourself too hard, but still want to stay active (and outside) this summer? Yoga outdoors is a great option. The beauty of yoga is that you can do it at any intensity level, whether you’re looking for a relaxing session of gentle poses or a more challenging bout of dynamic movement. Yoga is also a very accessible activity—you can get started by trying some simple poses on your own.
If you live near rivers, lakes, or the ocean, there’s no better time to get out on the water than the summer. There are all kinds of paddling methods to let you explore the waters and get a great workout at the same time, including rowing, canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
All of these are great ways to exercise your arms, back, core, and shoulders, and the act of paddling will help build endurance as well. Many cities have rental shops for boats and paddleboards, meaning you can enjoy a fun day of movement for a relatively low cost.
Summer is the season for outdoor concerts, festivals, and dance floors. And when you really go for it, dancing can be fantastic exercise—not to mention fun. See if your city is putting on any free music events this summer, or else consider getting tickets to a favourite artist or a fun festival. You’ll feel inspired to leave it all on the dancefloor when you see everyone else enjoying themselves, making this arguably the most fun way to get a summer workout in.
While these ideas for summer exercise are a great start, this definitely isn’t an exhaustive list of ways to get moving in the sunshine. Every place has different opportunities to get your heart rate up while enjoying the summer weather, so keep an eye out for other ways to enjoy yourself either alone or with your friends.
If you’re looking for some support with your physical health, ensuring you can stay active all summer long (and for more summers to come), I’m here to help. Whether you’re looking for preventive ways to keep your body in top shape or for treatments to an existing issue, I can make sure this is your most fun and active summer yet. Get in touch today!
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