You’d think with summer it’d be easier to get fit because the weather is amazing and their are an abundance of fresh fruit and veggies at your disposal. While some of us are able to keep motivated year round, we know that if you’re anything like us, you probably need a little motivation.
Check out some of our favourite summer activities that we use to keep our fitness up.
Have a beach day
Swimming at the beach can be both relaxing and good for your health. If you aren’t much of a swimmer, taking a long walk along the waterfront is a mindless way to get fit and offers great resistance for your legs.
Go on a hike
Make the most of the good weather and the natural beauty of New Zealand by getting some friends together and going on a hike. Hiking is a great way to immerse yourself in nature and you will work your legs like nothing else.
Ride a bike
If you haven’t ridden since you were a kid don’t worry, now is a great time to start again. Hiring a bike and riding around the city is a great way to get your family and friends exercising with you. If you prefer a stationary bike, spin classes burn a tonne of calories.
Hit the pavement
There are some fantastic tracks for runners all over New Zealand, so your location shouldn’t be an excuse. If you feel fit enough for a run, find yourself a scenic route, pop in your headphones and give it a go. You’ll be surprised at how quickly an hour disappears.
Fake it till you make it
If the thought of throwing on some active wear is not for you, trick yourself into doing exercise by checking out an event, heading to the mall or dancing at a bar. This is a great way to kill two hours and get some exercise in without you even thinking about it.
Tip: Try doing this with a friend to help keep you motivated
These are great suggestions and all free, other than the going to the mall idea, that could end up rather expensive… But I really need to do something, Christmas has made my clothes shrink….?
I find it so hard to get motivated to exercise (even though I really need to) we live right next to the beach (literally a one minute walk) but we’ve only gone there once this summer. I do love going to fairs and markets and things though so I do manage to trick myself that way at times.
Sightseeing in a new city or town is another great way to get extra exercise and lots of fun
I would love to be more active we have lots of walks through bush land where we live I need to go there with the kids over summer also the beach is a great place
I definitely need to trick myself into exercise. Going to the beach is my ultimate trick myself in summer. You don’t realise what a work out it is to walk a beach length in sand!
Great tips. I love beaches especially sandy beaches at this time of the year. Our closest is an hour away but it’s completely worth the drive. Love swimming and just relaxing on the sand. Also beach photos with the whole family are my favourite sort of photos. Me and my husband are getting bikes for each other for Christmas so we can go for family bike rides together. And I also love my active wear
Very good tips, unfortunately due to having hip dysplasia and arthritis (and I’m only 46) exercise can be a bit difficult for me. I walk to and from work every day though so keeping some activity up, but I really want to join a gym so I can do some low-impact exercise apart from walking. The hiking etc wouldn’t work for me but maybe going for a bike ride (I’d have to buy a bike haha).
Plenty of great tips 🙂 I love the ‘fake it’ section, if only dancing at a club etc. really worked as generally it’s accompanied by a few drinkies 😉