Top 4 Fitness and Fun Summer Activities For Women

Introduction

Summer is the perfect time to get outside, be active, and have fun in the sun. For women looking to stay fit while enjoying the warm weather and longer days, there are plenty of excellent options to consider.

Here Are The Top 5 Fitness And Fun Summer Activities That Are Ideal For Women:

Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)

Stand-up paddleboarding has exploded in popularity in recent years, and for good reason. This full-body workout on the water provides an amazing core and leg burn while allowing you to enjoy being surrounded by nature. Whether paddling on a scenic lake, lazy river, or ocean coastline, SUP is both incredibly fun and fantastic exercise.

The Benefits: Beyond being an uber-trendy outdoor activity, stand-up paddleboarding offers some serious fitness advantages. It combines cardio through the continuous paddling motion with amazing core strengthening from having to balance on the unstable board. Paddling also works the shoulders, back, arms, and legs. As a low-impact activity, SUP is easy on the joints while still giving a full-body burn. Being on the water is peaceful and meditative, reducing stress and improving mental health.

Getting Started: To try SUP, you’ll need a paddleboard, a paddling oar, a life jacket, and ideally a friend or two to make it a social adventure! Many outfitters rent paddleboards by the hour or day. Once you have the gear, start in a calm flat water area like a lake. Practice standing up on the board, maintaining your balance, and slowly paddling around. Don’t be discouraged if you fall in at first, it happens to everyone! As you get comfortable, graduate to longer paddling distances and somewhat choppier waters if desired.

Safety Notes: Always wear a properly fitted life jacket when paddleboarding. Avoid overcrowded areas with lots of boat traffic. Check weather forecasts and don’t go out if storms are expected. And be sure to hydrate properly.

Hiking

Getting out on the trails and going for a hike is one of the best and most invigorating ways for women to experience the great outdoors during Summer. With benefits for your mind, body, and spirit, hiking allows you to combine cardiovascular exercise with reconnecting to nature.

The Benefits: Hiking provides an amazing low-impact cardio workout. The level of intensity can be adjusted based on the length and difficulty of the trail. Hiking also improves leg strength and endurance, especially when tackling hills and uneven terrain. As a weight-bearing exercise, hiking helps build stronger bones too. Being surrounded by green spaces reduces stress and anxiety, boosts your mood, and provides mental refreshment. Spending time outdoors is also great for vitamin D production.

Getting Started: Research to find the best hiking trails in your area that match your fitness level and time constraints. You’ll need proper footwear like hiking boots or trail shoes with good traction. Dress in sweat-wicking athletic wear and bring plenty of water. Start slow with easier, shorter trails and work your way up to more challenging routes as your endurance improves. Consider investing in trekking poles to help propel you uphill and provide stability.

Safety Notes: Always let someone know your hiking plans and stick to marked trails. Pack essentials like sunscreen, a map, snacks, and a basic first aid kit. Be aware of your surroundings and watch for wildlife. Pay attention to the weather forecast as well.

Beach Runs

Looking for a fun way to work out while enjoying the beautiful Summer scenery? go for a run along the sandy shores of your local beach. Running on the packed sand near the waterline provides a challenging yet low-impact cardio workout that works your entire body.

The Benefits: Beach running gives you a serious calorie-torching cardio workout. The softer, shifting surface of sand works your muscles much harder compared to running on firm ground. It activates more stabilising muscles and really fires up your core too. The resistance from pushing through sand results in greater physical exertion and a higher heart rate at a slower pace. This makes beach running deceivingly difficult while having a lower impact on your joints. And the scenery of crashing waves and stunning sunsets can’t be beat!

Getting Started: Check tide schedules to run during low tide when more packed, and damp sand is exposed near the water. This will be the ideal running surface to dig in and build strength. Start slowly with run/walk intervals as beach running can be quite challenging at first. Listen to your body, wear proper shoes with good traction, and stay hydrated.

Safety Notes: Watch for potential hazards in the sand like sharp shells, driftwood, and holes. Be aware of your surroundings too, as beaches can get crowded, especially on nice days. And never run with headphones that prevent you from hearing ocean conditions.

Outdoor Cycling

What better way to enjoy the warmth and beauty of Summer than pedalling along on a bike ride? Cycling outdoors provides the perfect blend of fitness and fun under the sun. It’s also super accessible for women looking for a low-impact but high-intensity exercise.

The Benefits: Outdoor cycling is an incredibly efficient calorie-burning cardio workout that’s easy on the joints. Pedalling works multiple leg muscle groups while also engaging your core. Cycling builds strength and endurance in the lower body too. Depending on the terrain, it can also provide a full-body workout incorporating the arms, shoulders, and back. Being outside while cycling boosts your mood and provides an opportunity to take in nature’s scenery. It’s also environmentally friendly transportation!

Getting Started: Make sure you have a bicycle that fits your body properly and is tuned up. Get outfitted with a quality helmet too. Start with flat, paved trails or quiet neighbourhood streets as you build up your skills and endurance. Gradually progress to tackling hillier routes and varied terrain as you get stronger. Consider joining a local cycling club if you want built-in group rides. Don’t forget to fuel up with hydration and snacks as needed for longer rides.

Safety Notes: Obey all traffic laws and be predictable when cycling around vehicles. Use hand signals for turns and ride as far to the right as is safely possible. Wear brightly coloured clothing and use headlights/taillights if riding at dawn, dusk or night. And always wear a helmet!

Outdoor Yoga

What could be more rejuvenating than flowing through a yoga session out in the fresh Summer air? Outdoor yoga combines meditative mindfulness with the tranquillity of nature for the ultimate mind and body-centering experience perfect for women.

The Benefits: While providing all the typical flexibility, strength, balance, and stress relief benefits of a traditional yoga practice, outdoor yoga connects you with both the physical and spiritual elements of nature. From grounding inversions on the grass to peaceful meditation by a lake, outdoor yoga facilitates a unique sense of harmony. Spending time in green spaces boosts your mood, reduces anxiety and depression, lowers blood pressure, and improves focus. The sunshine provides mood-lifting vitamin D and energizing heat. And the gentle movements of outdoor yoga can accommodate all fitness levels.

Getting Started: You’ll simply need a sticky yoga mat, some activewear, and an open mind. Check for outdoor community yoga classes or local yoga studios that take it outside during Summer. Or just roll out your mat in your backyard or nearest park. Focus on coordinating your inhales and exhales with smooth, flowing sequences. Stay present in the moment by taking in the surrounding sights, sounds, and scents of nature around you. Make sure to do some gentle warmups first to avoid injury.

Safety Notes: Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated during your outdoor flow. Apply sunscreen as needed or do your practice in a shaded area to avoid sunburn. Watch out for critters like ants! Check the weather too and have an indoor backup plan if needed.

Conclusion

No matter which of these Summer activities you choose to pursue, you’ll be giving your mind, body, and spirit an amazing refresh. So grab some friends, lather on the sunscreen, and start making the most of those long, sunny Summer days! Your fittest, happiest, healthiest self awaits.

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