6 Summer Exercises to Transform Your Body
Summer is the perfect time to transform your body. A lot of produce is in season, meaning it’s easier to eat low-calorie, healthier foods. The weather’s getting nicer, so you might find yourself in a better mood and more apt to be active. And, perhaps best of all, the change in seasons means you can take your summer workout outside. Here are some summer exercise tips and great activities you can do to drop pounds and get in shape this summer.
1. Running
Summer is the perfect time to go running outside. It’s warm out, and it stays light longer, so you don’t have to worry quite as much about being visible to cars after dark. And while running at the gym can certainly be a part of a winter or summer exercise plan, some research suggests that outdoor exercise may be particularly beneficial. A study in the Journal of Physical Activity & Health found that people who do some of their workouts outside are over twice as active as those who only exercise inside.
If running is too challenging after a winter inside, you can start walking, or alternate between running and walking. With time, you can work your way up to full runs.
2. Swimming
Swimming is great exercise no matter the time of year, and it definitely deserves a place in your summer exercise plan. Swimming is good because it tones your muscles and helps you build strength, while giving you a complete full-body workout. It’s also great for burning calories, losing weight and getting good cardiovascular training. Plus, swimming doesn’t put as much strain on your joints as many other sorts of exercise.
Some people who live near the beach or a lake enjoy swimming out in nature. If you do this, make sure you stay safe. Be aware of potential currents and dangers, and don’t take unnecessary risks. You can also enjoy sunny swimming in an outdoor pool in your area. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!
3. Sports
Summer is the perfect time to get outside and play sports. Playing games, whether competitively or just for fun, can help your summer workout feel more like summer play. You can try playing pickup basketball, soccer or volleyball with your friends. Or, if a schedule will help you to get out and be active, you can always try joining a city sports league. In many cities, if you pay a relatively small fee, you can participate in a number of different matches.
In addition to sports being great workouts in and of themselves, they can also give you great motivation to do other exercise. If you’re playing, you’ll want to practice. And knowing that you’re going to be playing a game soon can give you the motivation you need to lift your weights, do your distance runs or complete your rounds of sprints. Nothing will help your commitment to your summer exercise plan more than seeing the way it improves your performance.
4. Hiking
Hiking is another great summer workout. It’s always fun to get away and hike out in nature. Pack plenty of water and some snacks, and get ready for what can be one of the most enjoyable workouts possible. If it’s too hard to get all the way out into nature, a lot of towns have trails where you can hike without leaving the city.
Hiking has been shown to help combat stress and anxiety, to help you maintain a healthy body weight, and to improve your balance. It also can help improve your blood pressure and blood sugar levels and reduce your chances of experiencing heart disease. Furthermore, hiking can help you to build strength in your core and lower body and improve your bone density.
5. Yoga
Yoga is an activity that can help transform your body throughout the whole year. It can help you improve your flexibility, strength and posture. It teaches body awareness, is good for your heart, and can help you learn to relax.
During the summer, you can enjoy taking your practice outside. With some nice, soft grass, you may not even need a mat. Try to find a place with a nice view and at least partial shade, put some nice music on iPod and enjoy moving through your poses.
6. Weights
Although you probably won’t lift your weights outside, strength training should also be a part of your summer exercise plan. Weight training can improve your strength, boost bone density, help you grow leaner, and help you to perform your daily activities. Because of this, it can complement the rest of your summer exercise plan and support your quest to transform your body.