Getting A Hot Body For The Summer

Spring is about over with, and summer is on the way.  It is time to get outside for some exercise and get your body looking good for your new swimwear.  Yes, it is time to get that body out of hibernation and into acceleration.  There is nothing better than getting outside into the fresh air and working out.  Here are several fun outdoor exercises that are great for the individual or the entire family.  

Swimming is a great whole body workout.  Swimming works many of the muscles in the body for a super calorie-burn.  It is also a low impact activity, which makes it a great option for individuals with certain health conditions.  If you do not have a swimming pool at your home, you may want to check into a local YMCA, or similar organization. They usually have a membership package that includes the use of their pool.  If you do not have either of those options, hopefully there is a lake near by, it might be cold at first, but your body will get used to it.  Just make sure your body gets used to the water before you start swimming, or else you might get a cramp, and the last place you want to get a cramp is in the middle of a lake.  Just make sure you have a back up plan.  Swimming can be one of the best workouts for your body and your lungs, but it can also be one of the most dangerous if you are not careful.

Hiking is great exercise.  It is also a great way to spend family time together.  Children as well as adults can enjoy some outdoor time on the trails, if you feel that your children are not ready for such a tough workout, you might want to think again, because most of the time it is the children who are first up to the top.  There are many places to choose from when deciding on your hiking destination.  You can go for a simple hike around your neighborhood, or check in with your city to find the closest national park.  National parks often offer maps and trails for your hiking adventure.  If you are very adventurous, you may want to turn your hike into a camping expedition.  To make them more fun for the family, incorporate a scavenger hunt into your hike.

Do you want to burn more calories and save energy at the same time during your hike?  Well the answer is, "Of course!"  Either buy or rent a pair of Trekking Poles, it is said that trekking poles has increased calories burned up to 20% more than people who walk with out them.  You will also notice that you will have more energy for your hike too.  Go ahead and try it, start a tough hike without a walking stick or trekking poles, about half way up when you are tired, find a walking stick or get out your trekking poles.  You will see and feel a difference in the way you finish that hike. 

Bike riding is also a great outdoor exercise.  Biking targets the leg muscles, and can be practiced by all skill levels.  Biking around your neighborhood is a good choice as well as riding in your local park.  The entire family can bike together, including children.  This gives them an opportunity to get out and active, while still spending time together with the family.  The reason I love biking is because you can do so much.  If you want to just go out on a easy bike ride, you can.  If you want to conquer some up and down hills, you can.  If you are like me and love trails and mountain biking, you can do that.  There are some great options for biking, whether you are a beginner or Lance Armstrong, there is something for you in biking.  

What type of bike should you get?  Well, it depends, whether you will do more road biking or off-road biking.  You can always buy two different bikes!  I bought one bike and I like doing both, now do not get me wrong, I am not a huge road biker, and I do not get in the spandex gear and going riding with 20 different people.  However, I do like having the option on going a road biking trip that challenges me.  I bought a Giant mountain bike, it is made for mountain biking, but it also has enough gears on it to go road biking if I wanted to.  I figured if I bought a road bike, it would not hold up to well on the trails of a mountain.  Another brand of bikes that you can check out are Specialized bikes, they build some wonderful bikes.

Hey, I understand if running, hiking, swimming, and biking are not your cup of tea.  You might like going to the gym, which is totally fine.  Here are some other at home options that you can choose from instead.  ChaLean Extreme, it is a 90 day home workout program that will whip your body into shape with dumbbells or resistance bands.  It also has a 120 day option, if you want to continue your workouts. The Chalean Extreme workouts are around 30 to 45 minutes long.  P90x is another 90 day in-home workout system, it uses dumbbells, resistance bands, and chin up bars to sculpt your body into something you never thought your body could ever get to.  These both are great workouts that not only help you with your physical body, but also the health of your body.  They both come with a fitness guide and a nutrition plan that corresponds with the workouts.  They will challenge you and push you further than you knew your body could go.