Make the most of summer weather by switching up your workout routine and exercising outside.
Summer is the perfect time to get creative with your fitness regimen, and take advantage of sunshine and scenery. Here are some of Connecticut resident’s favorite outdoor exercises that can be enjoyed at home or on vacation.
Water
Whether it’s the ocean, a lake, or a neighbor’s pool, working out in the water is ideal in heat and humidity. Any sort of swimming is excellent for cardiovascular health, even if it’s a 10-minute stint off the side of an anchored boat.
Throw in some play time with floaties and noodles to work your quads, hamstrings, glutes, shoulders, arms, and back.
Canoeing is a family-friendly activity that works muscles in our shoulders, core, oblique, back, and legs. Even skipping rocks can be a competitive and fun way to burn calories.
Snorkeling is a great way to take advantage of the water resistance to tone big muscle groups in your back, trunk, and legs.
Health
Water aerobics, whether in a group session or on your own, is a solid way to exercise your entire body and is exerts low stress on your joints. Walking, jogging, lunges, squats, leg lifts, and flutter kicks work your lower body; chest presses, reverse flies, bicep curls, and arm circles work your upper body; floating while remaining board-straight works your core; and treading water builds muscle endurance.
Mountains
Enjoy the cool shade and sheer beauty of the mountains while staying fit this summer. Pole hiking is a full-body activity that exercises your upper body along with your legs and glutes while reducing stress on your knees. Power walk among the terrain, and alternate with periods of rest at scenic points. You can also hike the steep side of the mountain, and enjoy a healthy picnic lunch once you reach the top. Repeat the incline a few times once you’ve digested for a good challenge. Mountain biking is a full-body workout, and another fun way to explore the area.
Beach
If you love spending time in the sand, play volleyball the next time you’re down by the shore. Or, throw a Frisbee (or football) around. Punch it up by seeing how far you can throw, and how many you can catch.
Believe it or not, making sandcastles actually works your obliques from the repetitive scooping.
Walk along the soft sand barefooted for an added resistance you can’t get anywhere else. It helps ankle stability, and works your feet, shins, and calves. If you’re feeling energized, alternate walking, jogging, and sprinting to elevate your heart rate, and cool down in the water once you’re done.
You can also do lunges, pushups, planks, and crunches right on your towel for some strength training.
