Ready to take your summer body workout outdoors?
Summer makes the perfect time to swap your gym routine for fun outdoor activities that build muscle and burn just as many calories.
These five summer workout ideas will help you take advantage of the sunshine and beautiful weather so you won’t even feel like you’re exercising.
5 Fun and Easy Ways to Take Your Summer Body Workout Outdoors
Summer workouts are fantastic for elevating your mood and energy levels.
But you’ll want to take a few specific precautions to stay safe during the season, such as:
- Try to beat the heat. You may want to squeeze in your summer workout early in the AM or later in the evening when temperatures are lowest.
- Wear sunscreen, protective clothing, and a hat. Summer means more hours of sunlight and a higher chance of sunburn.
- Stay hydrated! It’s much easier to dehydrate your body when the temps and sun are at their peak. Always drink water before, during, and post-workout. You may also want to add extra electrolytes to your water to replenish what you lose in sweat.
Follow these tips, and you’ll have no trouble staying safe and active with these easy full body workout ideas:
#1: Hit Up the Park for an Easy Workout Routine
Who needs the gym when you can take your routine outdoors to your local park?
You can warm up on the swings for a few minutes -- and feel like a kid again! -- bring a jump rope, or even try a weighted hula hoop.
Then, for an easy full-body workout, find a park bench and create a homemade circuit incorporating:
- Bench step-ups
- Incline push-ups
- Bulgarian split squats
- Tricep dips
- Bodyweight squats
Repeat that circuit once or twice, and you’ll never miss the gym this summer.
#2: Find a Body of Water to Jump In for a Refreshing Workout
Swimming is another excellent summer workout that doesn’t even feel like you’re exercising.
This full-body workout is also great for improving your cardiovascular fitness and torching calories.
A moderately-paced swim for a 150-pound person can burn around 400 calories per hour; upping the intensity can torch up to 700 calories!
If you’re not #blessed to have a pool at home or in your community, you can always swim at a nearby lake, springs, river, or beach.
#3: Work Out With Friends (While Social Distancing)
If you’re someone who struggles with keeping up a workout routine, you may find greater consistency when you partner with a friend.
This is a fantastic way to build accountability and stay connected (especially during quarantine).
To comply with the latest social distancing summer activity guidelines, high-contact sports like basketball and football may still be off-limits.
But you can try to pair up with a friend and enjoy no-contact activities like:
- Golf
- Tennis
- Bike riding
- Rollerblading
- Jogging
- Frisbee or disc golf
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Kayaking/canoeing
- Paddle boarding
- Soccer
For that last activity, work on drills instead of engaging in a high-contact match. Then you’ll perfect your form while keeping enough distance between you and your buddies.
You can even go for a walk or hike together (more on this next!), as long as you keep your distance and avoid crowded areas.
#4: Find a New Park or Trail to Explore
Since you already know the power in daily walks, you’re probably trekking around your neighborhood before work or after dinner. This is an ideal way to get your daily steps in, but it can get boring.
So to kick your summer body workout up a notch, try exploring new trails at a local park either solo or with a friend.
Depending on your route, you may find exciting changes in elevation to work your glutes, or smooth paths to break into a short jog and boost your cardio.
Don’t forget to pack these day hike essentials if you’ll be on the trails longer than your 30-minute workout.
#5: Take Care of Your Body and Mind with Outdoor Yoga
There’s nothing better for your body or mind than taking your yoga practice outside.
Listening to the birds and rustling trees, basking in the warm sunlight, and feeling the breeze as you maintain your poses may lower your stress levels, strengthen your muscles, and aid in weight loss.
But how many calories you burn all depends on the type of yoga you choose, your intensity, and how long you practice.
So grab your mat for an early sunrise workout in your backyard, or an evening restoration routine on your porch/patio during sundown. If you’re a fan of hot yoga or Bikram, time your practice for midday when the sun and temps are warmest.
Try One of These Summer Workout Activities Today!
These five easy workout routines will help you break out of your gym rut and get into the fun spirit of summer.
Try them solo, with your kids, or tag a friend, and you’ll soak up all the sun this season has to offer and work on your killer summer bod at the same time.
Just be sure to stay hydrated, keep an eye on the heat, and try to remain socially distanced too.
Author: Devan Ciccarelli
Email: devan@behappynothangry.com
Instagram/Facebook Group: @behappynothangry/Be Happy Not Hangry
Website: www.behappynothangry.com
