When you think of summer, you probably think of lazy days, sleeping in, and lounging around by the pool. We can all dream, right?
For many of us, summer is a time when we still have to do All the Things, but we also have kids at home, too. In order to protect our mental health and to keep up with all the great physical benefits we’ve gained, we need to keep exercising.
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Here are 10 summer workout options so you can avoid the dreaded fitness summer slump.
1. Swimming
Even if you’re not an Olympic-caliber swimmer, getting in to the pool gives you tons of options for a fun summer workout. You need only the most basic equipment, and then you can be off and swimming. You can use one of my swim workouts to give you an idea of what to do once you get to the pool.
One of my favorite things about swimming is that you get a great workout in a short bit of time. And if you’re in perimenopause and suffering from hot flashes, taking your summer workout into the water is a way to get in a super workout without adding too much extra heat to your body.
2. Paddle Sports
Have you heard of Stand Up Paddleboarding but never given it a try? Maybe it’s been since Girl Scout camp as a kid that you’ve tried your hand at canoeing? Or perhaps you’re up for the adventure of kayaking?
Paddle sports give you a lot of options for getting out on to the coolness of the water for your workout. If you don’t paddle regularly, you’ll find that this summer exercise option will challenge both your upper body and your core. It may look super relaxing, but I guarantee you you’ll get a tough workout….and you’ll enjoy it, too!
3. Group Classes
If you’ve been meaning to check out that new class at the gym, summer is a great time to do it. Enjoy the climate-controlled coolness of the gym while you get your summer sweat on. And with lots of people travelling in the summer, it’s a good time to try out a group class that is always packed full. It’s likely there will be a spot for you!
4. Take a Hike!
Summer may mean it’s the perfect time to opt outside. The health benefits of hiking make it an excellent summer workout option.
Find yourself a shady trail, and get exploring! Hiking is a great family activity. Kids love the element of discovery and adventure that come with hiking. Even if you have kids who tend to be homebodies, hiking is a good lure to get them active and outdoors.
I always suggest taking plenty of extra water and sunscreen, just in case your hike goes on longer than anticipated.
5. Weight Training
It’s impossible to ignore the evidence that weight training for women is an essential component of an overall well-designed fitness program.
If you’ve been avoiding adding weight training into your exercise routine, start small. There’s no shame in that game! You don’t have to go to a gym and sling around tires or giant weights to reap the benefits of strength training.
At home workout programs like Balance Virtual Bootcamp and Balance Virtual Bootcamp: REBOOT are an affordable, beginner-friendly way to ease into a resistance workout. So if you want to add strength training to your workouts but want to do it in a controlled (air-conditioned!) way, these programs are an efficient, effective option.
6. Online Classes
Whether you like to follow an exercise video or spin along on your training bike, there are a plethora of online classes that can guide you through your summer workout without ever leaving home!
My favorite online video series of workouts is Fit2B— they are especially designed for moms and are safe for women with diastasis recti. There are loads of options, so if you like variety in your workouts, Fit2B is for you!
7. Biking
Remember the summers of your youth when you tootled around the neighborhood on your bicycle? Just because you’re an adult now doesn’t mean you have to stop having that kind of fun!
Get yourself a basic hybrid cruiser bicycle and get riding! Oh, wait…. please make sure you wear a helmet when you ride!
Here’s the thing about biking: you don’t need to go really fast to enjoy the wind moving around you. Biking is a fantastic option if you want to get out and get some fun exercise with your kids. It doesn’t even have to feel like a workout for it to count!
8. Aqua Yoga
Hop off your mat and into the pool to enjoy the wonders of aqua yoga- summertime stress relief at its finest! The combination of warm water, gentle movements, and deep breathing works to lower cortisol naturally. So if your kids are stressing you out, take a break for some mind-body connection in the wonderful support of the water!
9. Pilates
Summer and pilates are a perfect combination. The series of movements in both mat pilates and reformer pilates make you feel long, lean, and confident to put on your sassy summer dresses.
And, like group classes, pilates classes are often more sparsely attended in the summer while regulars are travelling. That means more attention from the teacher for you!
Because these classes are all offered indoors, they are a summer workout option that lets you keep cool while you’re getting fit.
10. Stairs
Climbing stairs is one of my all-time favorite sneaky workouts. You may even have this fabulous piece of exercise equipment in your own home. Time to put that staircase to use!
Set yourself a timer for 5 minutes. Simply walk up and down the stairs. No fancy footwork required.
If that feels too easy, you can either walk every-other-stair on the way up and then move more quickly coming down, or you can walk the stairs for longer. Either way, you’ll be getting your heartrate up in the comfort of your own home.
Whether you live somewhere hot and steamy or warm with gentle breezes, keep on moving this summer! Finding time for your summer workout is worth it.
