Working out can often times feel like a chore, and it can be difficult to find the energy to do so.
But should working out really be an obligation that we have to force ourselves to do? What if workout was actually fun? Would that change your view on the matter?
Well I’m here to tell you that working should and can be fun! There are many different cardio workouts that you can do that aren’t a chore at all; Instead, they are actually very enjoyable activities.
So if you are one of many that feel like they want to trim down as summer approaches, you can do so while having fun at the same time.
The only requirement to these workouts is that you get outside, be active and have fun! If you’re willing to do so, then get outside today and try one of these 7 summer workouts for weight loss.
- Hiking
Hiking is an extremely fun activity that can give you one heck of a workout. When you’re hiking, you have the luxury of soaking in all of nature’s finest attractions while you lose weight. If you’ve never been hiking, you are missing out on one of the most fun ways to lose weight during the summer months.
So how much weight can you actually lose from hiking? On average, you can lose up to a pound a week by hiking just a few times per week. That’s pretty good considering it hardly even feels like a workout, and compared to walking, hiking is by far the superior choice.
So hiking is a great way to have fun and lose weight at the same time, but where can I go hiking? There are hiking trails all around. Even in the most rural areas of the United States, you can usually find a hiking trail within twenty minutes of where you live. So get out, grab a friend and hit the trail and lose those unwanted pounds.
2. Swimming
Swimming is another fun summer workout for weight loss. The best part about swimming is that it works every muscle in your body, and it is a great workout for toning up your core and giving you the six pack abs you have always wanted. Also, swimming is an excellent way to get over the fear of how you look in a bathing suit.
There are many great swimming workouts you can do that are fun. Whether it’s a combination of front strokes and back strokes or simply just going to the pool with friends and having a good time, you are destined to lose weight any time you decide to go swimming.
My guess is you know someone with a pool, where a nice public pool is, where a gym that has a pool is, or you live close to the beach. So if you search hard enough, you can find a great spot to swim on a consistent basis.
3. Biking
Biking is another great way to enjoy the aesthetic values that nature gives us while losing weight at the same time. Whether it’s on a biking trail or on roads near your home, biking is a great way to get out and be active.
Not only is biking extremely fun, but it is one of the absolute best calorie burning workouts. Sure, it can be a little difficult at first but once you get the hang of riding a bike in public, it’s, well, as easy as riding a bike.
If you get creative, you can find a great spot to ride your bike and enjoy nature. One of the best things about biking, is you can ride almost anywhere. There are biking trails all around, so you can find a good one or ride the roads near your home or around a nice public park. If you’ve never been biking before, I would recommend finding a quiet area for your first time.
4. Jump Rope
Jumping rope is an extremely fun exercise and might just be the most convenient exercise on this list. A good jump rope is very inexpensive, and you can do it anywhere and at anytime of the day. If it is raining, then no problem you can just jump rope inside.
It is also very fun to jump rope. You can get creative with your workouts and mix up the exercises you do. If you begin to get really good, you can mix in tricks and see how fast you can jump rope. Not to mention, it is a fantastic way to lose weight.
When you jump rope, you burn almost twice the calories as you would if you were to go for a jog. It’s also a great way to improve your coordination and tone up your core to give you a six pack. Jumping rope is a fun workout that works every muscle of your body and is one of the best ways to burn calories.
5. Jogging
If you enjoy nature but biking and hiking are a little too complex, you can always just go for a jog. It’s a misconception in the minds of many that jogging isn’t fun, but they couldn’t be more wrong. As long as you pick the right area or trail to run in, you can really enjoy nature’s beauty while you run.
The best part about jogging is it’s easy and most people are able to do it without too much difficulty. Even if it’s a short five minute jog to start, it can still give you a great workout and help you burn calories.
So find a nice running trail or fun street to run on and get the dream summer body you’ve always wanted.
6. Kayaking
Kayaking might be the most fun workout on this list. It combines all of the greatest attributes of the other workouts into one. It is arguably the best way to enjoy nature, it is extremely fun to do and provides an amazing workout.
While it may seem like you don’t have the equipment you need for kayaking, it is very easy to obtain. All you need is a kayak for a few hundred dollars, paddles, helmet and a life jacket and you are ready to go.
So grab some friends, find a great river to go kayaking on and enjoy your time burning calories while participating in one of nature’s finest attractions.
7. Sports
If you enjoy competition and working within a team, consider finding a good adult sports league to be a part of. Whether it’s basketball, ultimate frisbee flag football or any other adult league sport, you should be able to burn a lot of calories while having a ton of fun doing so.
Even if you’re not any good at sports, that’s okay. Most leagues have different competition levels, so don’t be afraid if you think you aren’t any good. It’s all about just having fun and staying in shape while you do so.
Most big cities have adult sports leagues, so just find the one closest to you and sign yourself up.
Get Active
Regardless of what activity you choose, the most important thing is that you are active and moving. It’s all too easy at times to get lazy and not want to get outside and move around.
When you do so, you’re not only depriving yourself of staying in shape, but you are also depriving yourself of having fun and that is even worse. So I encourage you to find a fun activity to be active with and to always remember that weight loss workouts should be fun and never seem like a burden to you.
The first step is always the hardest, so regardless of what it is or how long you do it for, get outside and be active today.
Writen by : Aaron Westbury is a fitness enthusiast and the owner of ropecity.net. He enjoys living a healthy lifestyle and helping others to reach their health and fitness related goals.
