How to Stay Athletic Over the Summer

By Kelsey Lange on May 18, 2017

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There are a lot of ways to stay active over the summer with sports, exercise, with friends, or alone. Adding even one activity to your routine can improve your health, energy, and happiness.

Swimming

Swimming is a great sport to get into this summer for a lot of reasons. Not many workouts have the benefit of both cardio and strength training. On top of this, swimming can be a great stress reliever simply due to the calm that the water brings to your body.

Think about why soaking in a bathtub is so relaxing. Swimming is great for athletes who want a low impact workout, specifically injured athletes. Swimming can be used for muscle recovery or just for someone who wants to take it easy on their joints. Also, If you don’t want to worry about getting too hot or sweating too much, swimming is the perfect activity.

Beach volleyball

Volleyball is a great cardio sport especially when you add sand into the mix. The resistance that the sand provides creates a great lower leg muscle workout while burning a ton of calories. The sand challenges the game in a way that forces players to perfect your positions and plays. Hand-eye coordination is a great skill that will be strengthened as well as your reflexes and speed.

Biking

Biking is a perfect way to enjoy a summer day while still getting a great workout in. A benefit biking has is that you can choose when and where you want to push yourself. This is also a low impact workout like swimming and applies less pressure on your ankles, knees, feet, and legs. Unlike a lot of workouts, biking can also provide a method of transportation while cutting back on fossil fuels. Biking is a great excuse to explore your area and travel places you don’t normally think to.

Running

Running is great for your heart and just running for 10 minutes a day can reduce your risk of heart problems later in life. It is also beneficial to strengthen your joints and bones, especially the ones in your knees. The “runners high” is no myth and it has been proven that running released endorphins mid-workout that can cause happiness. Who doesn’t want to be happy while they work out? Don’t push yourself too hard this summer, however. It is important to pace yourself and find your boundaries. Start off by walking around your neighborhood and transition into jogging when you are ready.

Walking on the beach

Walking on the beach is actually more beneficial than running because of the act of allowing your feet to sink into the sand. It is a great workout for your calves, glutes, and quads. Sand that is dry will give these muscles more of a workout compared to wet sand. The best part about a workout like this is definitely the scenery. Take in the beach and the sound of the waves while you get a great workout in for your legs.

Basketball

Basketball has great benefits like concentration, bone strength, strength training, and mental development. Since basketball is all about team coordination this is a great sport to get involved in this summer to meet some new friends. You are forced to constantly remain active during a game of basketball which makes for a great calorie burner. Make sure to always stay hydrated especially in an outdoor game.

Tennis

Playing tennis for an hour can burn up to 600 calories. On top of a great cardio workout with the amount of running involved, strength training is also an aspect to a game of tennis. Legs, arms, and upper body are strengthened with each swing of the racket. This game is also one that is going to make you think and stay on your toes. Brain development and tactical thinking are involved in each game.

Golf

Golf is another low impact sport that would be great to add to your summer routine to remain active. Like tennis, golf is good for your brain. On top of brain development, golf improves your vision, especially in long distances. It is a great distraction from reality and like many workouts, it causes you to focus and remain focused. This can lead to reduced stress and provides great social interaction.

Kayaking 

Kayaking is extremely rewarding. The scenery kayaking can provide is beautiful and relaxing. It can increase muscle strength in your shoulders, arms, back, and chest because of the movement of the ores. You also strengthen the torso and legs due to the balance needed to keep the kayak itself steady. This exercise is a great form of meditation and can be very mind-clearing. You can kayak by yourself or with friends. Try and make a trip to go kayaking at least once this summer.

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