At the beach, don’t just sit, get fit!

In the summer, the beach is the place to be.  It also makes for a fantastic scenic workout.  Instead of just lounging and relaxing, try one of these fun workouts to get the most out of the sunny days.

Running on the Beach

Running in sand is one of the best workouts available.  It burns 30% more calories than jogging on a flat hard surface.  Not only is it more challenging, but it’s also easier on your knee joints thanks to the softer surface.  If you are new to running on the beach, go at low tide and run along the fresh packed wet sand.  Want a challenge – go barefoot!

Paddle Boarding

If you have not yet heard about this trend, you will soon.  It’s taken the West Coast by storm and is moving east quickly!  It combines the paddle movements of kayaking while standing up on a surfboard.  Celebrities are avid fans for its upper body and core strength movements.  Why waste your time reading a predictable romance novel when you can work on your six-pack abs?

Beach Volleyball

An hour-long game of intense beach volleyball can burn up to 484 calories an hour!  Unless you are a pro, most likely you won’t burn this many calories but it doesn’t mean you can’t learn or try.  Beach volleyball is the only Olympic sport you can train for with sand between your toes all day!

More Great Ideas

For the beach scenes with a boardwalk, rollerblading is great for low intense cardio and an amazing lower body workout.  Yoga is known for its calming and meditative benefits, so why not try a few vinyasas on your beach towel the next time you’re feeling brave?  Go early in the morning if you are nervous about being surrounded by onlookers.  Kayaking is amazing upper body workout that can also be great for exploring the shoreline.  Bring a mini cooler with lunch and make a day of it!  Lastly, even if you are not a pro, surfing can be one amazing and challenging activity.  The paddling alone with have your arms sore the next day.  Sign up for a lesson and rent a board to enjoy the waves while shaping up.

And, last but not least, make sure to wear sun block and reapply frequently!

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