20 exercises you should do outside this summer

Yoga is a great way to move your body and can be done anywhere. Depending on where you live, outdoor classes may be available, but if not, you can bring your computer or phone outside and get your flow on in your backyard. 

To make things a little more difficult, try some paddleboard yoga. It tests your balance and forces you to improve your core strength. It also gets you outside and in the water, making it a fantastic summertime workout. 

Rowing is no joke. Several machines are available that mimic the rowing experience indoors, but nothing can replace the real thing. If you want a killer arm workout while also getting into nature, see about rowing this summer. 

Jumping on the trampoline might seem like an activity reserved for children, but there’s a reason it’s a sport in the Olympics. Trampolining is a great cardio workout that also improves your strength through body weight. It can be done indoors when it’s colder, but it’s also great to do outside in the warmer months. 

If a park bench is available, use it to do a few exercises. It’s a great tool to work your triceps, core, and even your legs. It’ll get you sweating in the hot summer sun, and the heat might motivate you to reach your rep count even quicker. 

If you’ve ever questioned the effectiveness of swimming as a workout, look at the physique of professional swimmers. Swimming is a tremendous full-body workout, and it’s great to take advantage of it in the summer. Many public pools have times set aside for lap swimming, but you can also swim in a clean body of natural water. 

Get off your stationary bike and on your real one this summer. Taking a bike ride is a great way to strengthen your muscles and your cardiovascular system, and it gets you in nature. 

If you’re not a fan of bicycling, run the trails instead. Many cities are full of safe routes, whether throughout the city streets or in the parks, that mark mileage and have good places to stop and sometimes to hydrate. 

If you want to get onto those trails but don’t want to go too fast, take a hike. Hiking is a great self-paced outdoor exercise that usually peaks with a great view, making it one of the few forms of exercise with immediate external rewards. 

If you love to be underwater and have a body of water nearby with lots to explore, snorkel as a form of exercise this summer. It’s an especially effective form of exercise if you hate moving your body because you’ll be too distracted by everything around you to notice that you’re exercising. 

Hear us out: Golfing without a cart is a great workout. You’ll get lots of cardio from walking across the course, and you won’t have a chance to sit for a couple of hours. If you want to get extra steps in, golf without a cart. 

Never underestimate the benefits of a good old walk. It might not be the most intense workout, but it’s effective. On the days when you can barely be bothered to move your body, at least get in a short walk. It’s much, much better than nothing. 

For something a little more intense than walking but not quite as difficult as running, try jogging. There are still loads of cardiovascular benefits that you’ll reap, and you can work on your tan while you’re doing it. 

Jumping rope can be done inside, but you might not have the space. If that’s the case, get outside and jump rope. It’s a great cardio and strength exercise you can do alone or with others. 

Running steps indoors can be very dangerous, but if there’s a local grandstand that’s available, it’s a great place to get some sunshine and exercise at the same time. Running up and down steps is a super effective cardio workout. 

Tai chi doesn’t just get your body right; it gets your mind right, too. Find your center and some motivation outside this summer by practicing tai chi. There are plenty of tutorials available for beginners. 

Gardening doesn’t sound like exercise, but if you try it, you’ll be surprised at how physical it can be. There are ways to make it less strenuous, but if you remove those supports, you can get an unexpectedly good workout while growing something beautiful or tasty. 

Tennis is a great sport to play to get in better shape. It works your muscles and your cardiovascular system uniquely. It’s also one of the few sports where you also get to look dapper while playing. 

Pickleball has been sweeping the nation for the past couple of years, so if there’s ever been a summer to try it, it’s this one. If you’ve never played before, you’ll get to engage your body in a new form of movement and your mind in a new form of strategy. 

For a more extreme form of exercise, try rock climbing. Risks are associated, so ensure you’re up to the task before starting, and always participate safely. But if you properly manage the risks, rock climbing is a great form of outdoor exercise.