The first day of summer brings longer days. But the warm weather and laid back vibe have made this season synonymous also synonymous with “lazy days.”
A break every now and then if part of a healthy lifestyle; however, don’t let your workouts take a permanent vacation because of the sweltering sun or changing family schedules and commitments. There are plenty of ways to keep things interesting to stay in shape all summer long.
If the heat is getting to you, cool off like you did as a kid while getting a workout in. All you need is a sprinkler or two and some cones. You can set up a backyard obstacle course that makes you hop over the sprinkler, weave around the cones, and laterally jump over another sprinkler. Try timing yourself, recovering while a friend goes, and then try to break your record the next time through.
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If the sprinkler isn’t enough, head to your neighborhood pool and log some laps. Swimming is great exercise and appropriate for all ages. Because it is virtually no impact, it’s easy joints, but still offers a full body workout. If it’s been a while since you swam, take a lesson or to brush up on some common strokes. Once you are familiar with how to swim with proper form, try increasing the amount of time you practice each day. Tacking on a couple of minutes each week will take you from 20 to 60 minutes in no time.
Let nature offer you resistance when you head to the beach. Swimming in the ocean provides a tougher workout because of the waves and the current. Plus, walking or running in sand is a great way to challenge your legs without stepping into a gym.
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Take advantage of the warm temperatures, by walking every chance you get. Instead of driving up the block for an errand, walk there. Walk in the morning as soon as you rise for 15 minutes, or right after dinner. Be sure to watch the air quality, apply sun block, and avoid the heat of the day. But, try to head out on foot whenever possible
This time of year is also a great opportunity to find a boot camp. Several trainers offer outdoor classes, early in the morning. These challenging workouts are a mix of strength, resistance, and agility. Usually, you’ll find a big mix of exercises. And if you’re the type of person who needs group motivation, these classes provide that extra push from peers and instructors.
Another group activity is signing up for a race and training for it together. It doesn’t matter if you plan to walk or run, if it’s a 5K or a full 26.2 miles. A race provides a tangible goal and working with others to reach that goal holds you accountable. Any fitness task seems less daunting when you have the support of others behind you. Plus, you might discover that you enjoy the role of a group leader and like the organization and planning that goes into running a race.
If you rather spend your time indoors, you can shake your body into shape with fitness classes. Zumba, a Latin inspired dance class is all the rage right now. You can also try cardio pole dancing or an aerobic based Kickboxing class with lots of choreography.
And don’t think resistance training is limited to the gym. Besides owning a strength DVD and a pair of dumbbells, you can try the TRX suspension system. You may have seen group TRX classes in your gym. But you can so buy a set for your home. The TRX gives you a full body workout using your own weight as resistance. Best of all, it’s portable and light weight so you can take it anywhere; meaning you don’t have to stop your workout on vacation.
