Summer. The time of year we’re most likely to see sun, soaring temperatures, humidity in the air, a load of sunscreen, water bottles in our bags, and plenty of people hitting the beach for a day of tanning, swimming, and late evening BBQs. It really is the contender for the most fun season of the year!
However, did you know that summer is also the perfect time to exercise? While some people swear by winter temperatures and getting a fresh start with your fitness routine in the new year, the summer period offers a lot for anyone looking to tick off a fitness goal over the next few months.
When it’s nice out, you’re more likely to hit the tarmac in your sneakers, and you’re much more likely to sum up the motivation to do so. Not only that, but there tends to be a lot more fitness classes and activities going on that you can sign up to, simply because summer puts people in the mood to get a sweat on! Yoga on the beach, HIIT classes or Tai Chi down the park, sign up tennis matches on the local public courts - you really can get a lot more done!
But these aren't the only things to think about when considering your summer time exercise routine. Let’s make sure you get out there with the power of the points below as well; we’re all behind you this summer time!
Why Summer Makes Exercise More Powerful
Summer air, including the temperature, can make exercise a lot more impactful on the body. Working out when it’s hot out has been found to make the body work harder when you’re actively exercising, meaning you’ll burn more calories in less time.
This works thanks to the way the body keeps itself cool. Homeostasis takes a lot of energy to regulate the body’s internal temperature, and the more you’re likely to sweat, the more calories are going to be used up in keeping the engine going. Indeed, if you didn't move at all throughout the day, homeostasis would be the main thing keeping the calories burning!
That’s why it’s good to get out there when the air is warming up. You won’t have to go for as long, you’re likely to see results in a shorter time period, and you’ll have much more luck with finding your motivation to keep your pace while hitting the pavement. If you can literally watch your muscles tone up or your belly shrink in the course of a couple of weeks, you’re going to be able to celebrate your hard work in real time.
You’re Also More Likely to Have Friends Over, Which is Very Motivating!
It’s said that the best way to keep up a workout routine is to make sure you don’t do it alone. Of course, that’s easier said than done, seeing as most of your friends and family are going to be super busy throughout the year and may have less time and energy than you to stay up with a fitness routine!
But once the summer rolls around, you’re all going to have a lot more free time. That means you can actually get together now and use each other as accountability partners. The more you keep up with a fitness routine together, the harder it’s going to be to drop out, just in case you disappoint someone you know and love by not putting in the same amount of effort.
And seeing as these loved ones are going to be coming over for lunch, drinks, and a gossip session here and there, why not do these things before, during, and after you’ve worked out together? Summer makes it easier to fit these kinds of activities in, and the more you do so, the better you’re going to feel (both mentally and physically) once autumn comes round.
But Make Sure You Stay Safe!
While we mentioned that the summer heat is great to work out in, seeing as there’s a stronger calorie burn when a bit of heat is applied, it can also be dangerous if you don’t prepare for this temperature increase. Many people have had to be admitted to hospital in the past due to working out while it’s hot, with cases of severe dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
Above all else, make sure you take plenty of water with you while you’re outside exercising, and even indoors, never let a glass of water be more than just a couple steps away. Take regular breaks to get your breath back and take swigs of this water - the more electrolytes, the better - and make sure there are plenty of shaded spots on your route as well. Spend time in these spots while taking your breaks or during your rests when you’re doing a circuit, and don’t get going again if you’re already feeling like the heat is going to tear you down.
And remember, never work out when the sun is at its highest in the sky! This is usually midday and early afternoon, a.k.a., the time of day when the temperature is really going to soar. Keep an eye on the humidity level as well, as this can make the air feel hotter.
But now we’ve got the safety disclaimer out of the way, let’s go through a few other things that make summertime the best time of the year to reach your fitness goals.
You Can Try Any New Sport You Like
Do you play any sports already? If not, the summer time is the perfect time to pick one up. With good weather outside, you’re more likely to give something like baseball, netball, or volleyball a go. After all, you won’t need to make time to hit the local gym or sports center just to stay dry as you run around!
Seeing as we’ve got a North American world cup coming up in 2026, how about trying out soccer this summer? This’ll give you time to get good at it yourself! And if you’ve never played before but you’d really like to give it a go, you can head online to buy a Soccer Goal (and in varying sizes), get yourself a ball while you’re there, and then head out into the garden to set everything up.
Pop the goal down one end, set the ball on the ground on the opposite end, and see how long it takes you to get one in the goal in just a single kick. You can develop your power, aim, and technique as you do this, and the more you run (and the more steps your FitBit records), the lower your resting heart rate is going to be in the end.
There are More Places to Exercise Outside
Just like the garden, if it’s sunny out and there’s not a hint of cloud or rain anywhere, you’re going to be much more likely to head outside and enjoy the good weather around you. That can make working out a lot more fun - you don’t just have to do it in your living room anymore!
A lot of people can find exercise boring for this very reason. You’re staring at the same four walls, and using the same equipment over and over again; even if you meet new people at the gym, these elements can make keeping fit more of a chore than anything else.
But if you’re able to hit the beach and go for a swim in the actual ocean, or you can go for a strenuous hike through the countryside and weave in and out of forested hills, you’re going to find the experience a lot more enjoyable overall. There’s more to do, more to see, people to meet, and there’s a lot of fresh air to breathe in as well.
Why Not Try an Exercise Program This Summer?
So, we now know that summer is one of the best times of year to get your groove on and get your heartbeat up. Are you going to try an exercise program while the sun blazes outside? We really think you should give it a go!
After all, with all the benefits and motivating factors listed above, it only makes sense that you get a jump start on your fitness goals. Whether you want to shed a few pounds, lose a stone, or firm up your glutes, you could make a difference to your health this summer time.
Even if we’ve only got a few weeks of it left, the heat in the air and the sun in the sky can still be used to their full effectiveness. So tie up the laces on your sneakers and go for a jog along the beach, or join up for a summer zumba session and see how you like it. Dancing can be one of the most pleasurable ways to stay fit, seeing as the rhythm in the air is going to move you as well!