It’s no secret that summer is the time when we want to look and feel our best, but it can be difficult to find enjoyable activities that will help to keep you active while also allowing you to enjoy the fresh air. If you’re not a gym person and can’t see yourself working out at home, there are plenty of fun outdoor activities you can do to boost your activity levels instead. These activities are all affordable, simple and can often be done together as a family. So get your sunscreen out and try these fun, fitness-boosting ideas!
Gardening
Gardening is a simple, fun and rewarding activity that you can do at home, getting the kids involved if you want to. Of course, it helps if you have a garden, but even if you don’t you can still plant some seeds in a window basket or get involved in a community garden. If you do have a garden, but you’ve never tried gardening before, you’ll need to know a bit about the basics of gardening before you get started. You’ll also need to make sure you have some tools, such as gardening gloves, a trowel, a spade, a rake and a wheelbarrow. If your garden is quite overgrown and needs tidying up, you may well need to use a trimmer to get rid of those weeds.
The physical benefits of gardening are extensive, and have been studied in depth by researchers. They include physical fitness, as the physical demand of gardening works out all the major muscle groups, as well as a lower chance of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. In addition to these physical benefits, gardening can also improve your mental health by relieving stress and helping to build self-esteem.
Ball Games
As adults, we don’t usually think of ball games as something we can just go out and do. That’s for kids, or people who are in serious sports teams, right? Wrong. Taking a football, basketball or tennis ball to the park or even just to your yard and tossing it round is a great way to have fun and work up a bit of a sweat. It’s also a great thing to do with children, as they’ll love that you’re getting involved. The best thing about this activity is that it’s free and all you need is a ball of some description. You can even make up your own games and exercise your brain as well as your body!
On the Water
If you live close to a river, lake, or even the sea, you have a range of exciting outdoor activities right on your doorstep. Water activities aren’t something we usually think of during an average weekend, but they have an incredible amount of benefits for your physical health and are the perfect family activity. Which activity you choose will depend on where you live, but you can do anything from wild swimming to canoeing to paddleboarding, and even waterfall climbing! Of course, some of these activities require the rental of a boat, so aren’t free, but they are certainly worth the money.
Rowing tones and strengthens your core and upper body, while activities such as surfing offer a full body workout. And they’re so much fun, you won’t even notice that you’re doing exercise! The process of learning a new skill is also great exercise for your brain, and spending time in nature will lower stress levels and improve your mental health. Taking up a hobby like this for the summer is also an excellent way to build your confidence and socialise.
Walk a Dog
Don’t have a dog to enjoy the outdoors with? Don’t worry! There are lots of ways to get your cute animal fix while also getting some exercise. The obvious idea is to borrow a friend or family member’s dog, but if that isn’t an option then go to your nearest dog shelter and volunteer to walk a dog there. Most shelters are happy to have volunteers walk their dogs in the local area, and there’s always a chance that you might fall in love with your four legged friend and take them home! There are also borrow a dog apps now, which offer dog lovers the chance to walk a dog belonging to someone nearby. This is an excellent way to get active, enjoy the great outdoors and meet some furry friends!
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