Creative Ways to Stay Active All Summer
Summer is the time for sunshine, longer days and outdoor adventures. But let’s be honest, when your schedule gets unpredictable, finding time for a workout can be tricky. Between family events, vacations or just the general chaos of life, fitting in that sweat session might not always be as simple as it sounds. However, with a little creativity and flexibility, it’s absolutely possible to stay active even when life gets hectic. Here are some fun and adaptable ways to keep your fitness game strong this summer.
1. Turn Everyday Tasks into a Workout
When you’ve got a packed schedule, sometimes the best thing you can do is incorporate movement into what you’re already doing. Whether you’re running errands, tidying up the house or waiting for the coffee to brew, you can sneak in some exercise. Small actions are what create the biggest change and they are the easiest to implement.
For example, take the stairs any and everywhere. Skip the elevator or escalator and take the stairs at work, at the mall or in your apartment building. It's a great leg workout and it will help you get in those extra steps. You can also maximize the time that you spend indoors doing housework. By adding lunges, squats and overhead presses to your typical cleaning routine, you will not only have a clean house but an extra burn.
2. Embrace Outdoor Fitness Fun
When the weather’s warm, it’s a great opportunity to take your workout outside. Even if you don’t have time for a full gym session, outdoor activities can keep you moving and having fun at the same time. In Columbia, we have access to a wide trail network that is great for hiking, biking and running. Time spent swimming at the pool can also be a fun way to challenge your body, without feeling like you are exercising.
If you are looking to expand the activities that you are doing, trying new sports can be a great way to have fun and be active. Pickleball and golf can make exercising fun and new. Water sports such as paddle boarding and kayaking can also be great core and upper body workouts. In the Movement Lab, we train these essential muscle groups every class so that our clients can embrace all of their outdoor fitness adventures!
3. Workouts You Can Do on the Go
In the summer, travel is inevitable, but that doesn’t mean your fitness needs to take a back seat. Pack lightweight equipment like resistance bands or a jump rope, which you can use anywhere-hotel rooms, parks, or even on the beach. Making exercise and movement a priority in your everyday life will make small changes feel normal, and often, needed.
Simple bodyweight exercises like push-ups, squats, planks and lunges can be done anywhere. Make them more dynamic with jumps or add a challenge by increasing reps over time. The variations in exercises you can do and the challenge of bodyweight exercise is undeniable. If you struggle with figuring out what you should do for exercise with limited equipment or even hotel gyms, the Movement Lab offers remote fitness programming for clients who are still looking to reach their goals on-the-go. This is a great way to build accountability and stay on track.
4. Prioritize Active Rest
Rest is essential, but so is staying active. Summer provides a perfect opportunity to balance relaxation with some low-intensity movement, so consider adding “active rest” to your routine. Light stretching, foam rolling, or even a walk around the block can keep your body moving without overexerting yourself. Plus, it helps you recover from more intense workouts.
Rest and recovery should be a continuous goal to implement in your routine. Many people strive to get 10,000 steps per day or ensure that they are getting at least 20 minutes of intentional activity. Change is created with consistency. Walking, yoga and stretching can all be great tools for recovery, but also for maintaining a routine. The great thing is these activities can be done anywhere for free.
With these creative ideas, there’s no reason why summer chaos should derail your fitness goals. Whether it’s turning your errands into a workout, embracing outdoor fun or sneaking in quick sessions when you can, staying active doesn’t have to be complicated. The key is to find opportunities to move that work with your changing schedule and keep it fun. After all, summer is about enjoying life, and staying active should be part of that enjoyment!
Elizabeth