Creative ways to stay active and fit this summer
July 31, 2025—Summer is in full swing and, by now, you might be bored with your usual exercise routine. If you need to shake it up, the American Heart Association and the American Council on Exercise offer several ideas for staying active while enjoying the season. To start, learn to stay safe in the heat.
If you're a morning person
Try yoga or tai chi. Look for an outdoor class in your area. The only equipment you need is a yoga mat and lightweight clothes that are easy to move in.
Head out for a hike. Try a hike in the forest, hills or mountains shortly after sunrise. If you're up for a challenge, try rucking—adding weight to your body. You could use a weighted vest, or you could add full water bottles, sandbags or special rucking weights to your backpack.
If you enjoy solitude
Attempt archery. It requires complete focus and upper-body strength.
Go fishing in a secluded spot you've never explored before. Walk, hike or paddle a small boat to get there.
If you want to get the whole family moving
Find a bowling alley. Bowl a few frames as a family. Plus, you'll likely find other family-friendly games there that anyone can play.
Play miniature golf at a family fun center or frisbee golf in a park.
Fly a kite. Is there a breeze? Head to a park with a large field.
If you want to have an epic adventure
Organize a scavenger hunt—in your backyard, neighborhood, a forest or the beach. You also could incorporate a scavenger hunt into a road trip when you need a break from driving.
Roll on down the river in a kayak or a raft.
Dance it out. Attend a music festival nearby or out of town, and dance until you're worn out.
If it's too hot to be outside
Get a grip. Try your hand—and your feet—at rock climbing. Indoor rock-climbing gyms offer instructors who can guide you and help ensure your safety.
Party on. Take the music festival idea indoors. Crank up the tunes at home, and dance your heart out.
Do a tight 10. Do 10-minute workout routines with exercises that require no equipment, such as squats, side bends, leg lifts, pushups, forward bends, neck stretches and calf raises. Perform each exercise for 30 seconds, rest or do cardio for 30 seconds, then move on to the next exercise.
Love outdoor workouts? These tips will help keep you from overheating.
Sources
- American Council on Exercise. "Combating Loneliness: Surprising Benefits of Community-Based Outdoor Movement." https://www.acefitness.org/resources/pros/expert-articles/8839/combating-loneliness-surprising-benefits-of-community-based-outdoor-movement.
- American Heart Association. "10-Minute Workout Anywhere." https://www.heart.org/en/-/media/Healthy-Living-Files/Fitness/10-minute-Workout-infographic.pdf?sc_lang=en.
- American Heart Association. "25 Ways to Move More in Warmer Months." https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/getting-active/25-ways-to-move-more-during-summer.
- National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability. "10 Ways to Get Your Family Fitness In." https://www.nchpad.org/resources/10-ways-to-get-your-family-fitness-in.