When the weather is good it’s the perfect opportunity to get outside and exercise in the fresh air.
With the added bonus of the extra hours of daylight there is no excuse for not getting outside. The longer days also give most people a boost of energy, which should help with the motivation.
Why not try one of these suggested activities. Not only will they increase your fitness levels but they will also give an injection of endorphins to boost your mood.
Walking
Walking is brilliant if you have not exercised for a while. One of the easiest forms of exercise it can help maintain a healthy weight, strengthen bones and muscles and improve your balance and co-ordination.
Why not try getting up half an hour earlier to go for a brisk stroll? The morning air is clean, refreshing and invigorating and sets you up for a great day.
Football
Joining or creating a football team with some friends and family is a great way to be social whist getting fit at the same time!
Search local tournaments in your area to see when they start. Just make sure you don’t end up down the pub afterwards undoing all your hard work!
Frisbee
This fun sport gives you a great workout without having to think too much about it. A knock around in the park will burn calories, increase your metabolic rate, increase your agility and give you a full body workout.
Running
Running is one of the least expensive and most time efficient ways to get fit. Pop on your running shoes and you’re good to go. There’s no time spent getting to and from venues, and your only expense is a decent pair of trainers.
If you’re not used to running it might feel challenging to begin with, so try interval training – start by walking briskly for a few minutes to warm up and then run for a block, or a few lampposts, and then walk half the distance that you ran, and then start running again.
Each time you head out for a run you will notice that your running distances increase, and the need to walk decreases.
Cycling
Cycling is a great way to get outside to enjoy the sunshine without putting as much pressure on the joints as running does. It’s also an activity that the whole family can do together. Most people have a bike lying around or ask a friend if you can borrow one.
Golf
Golf is a great social sport to get involved in and has many health benefits provided that you walk the course rather than use a buggy. Carrying your own clubs also adds some weight bearing exercise, which will increase the strength of your muscles and bones.
Swimming
To put things simply, swimming is amazing for you. It works nearly every muscle in the body and so burns a lot of calories, builds endurance, muscle strength, and cardiovascular fitness.
It’s non-weight bearing, so is a great way to keep up your fitness if you’re suffering from an injury and can be very therapeutic if you allow yourself to relax, focus on your breathing and on your movement through the water.
Rounders
Take your friends and family down to the local park for a game of rounders this summer; nothing beats a bit of friendly competition out in the sun. All you need is a bat and a ball. Whether you are fielding or batting, you are constantly moving about, so you will be burning through the calories without even really trying.
Tennis
Dust off those tennis racquets and create tennis Tuesdays with some friends. Some local parks have tennis courts that you can rent for only a few pounds.
DIY summer games
Failing all of this take the children down to your local park or out in the garden and have an energetic water fight!
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