By Rebecca Jones

With every passing day, as the sun gets brighter and the air gets warmer, it’s getting harder and harder to lock yourself inside a gym for hours at a time. The good news is that it’s just as easy to squeeze in a workout outside as it is in. Give your membership card a rest and get your butt out the door it’s time to take advantage of all the warm weather exercises you’ve been missing out on.

1. Play a Game of Tennis

If your backhand is a little rusty now’s the time to break out the whites and hit the court.  You can burn over 500 calories running around swinging for an hour and not only will you get the cardio but you will tone your back, arms and shoulders as well.

2. Go for a Bike Ride

When it’s too nice to take the car and too far to walk hopping on a bike is great way to enjoy the fresh summer air and get in a powerful workout. Riding your bike can burn almost 500 calories an hour and will tone up your legs and rear-end in the process.

3. Don’t Just Float in that Pool

Next time the kids are hanging out at the beach or pool get off your chaise lounge and do some laps. You don’t need to be a great swimmer to reap the benefits of swimming; you can burn almost 300 calories for every half hour and you get a total body workout as well.

4. Take a Hike

There is no better way to enjoy the beauty of summer while getting a workout. Whether you take on a mountain or just stroll through the park you can tone up your legs and burn over 400 calories an hour while enjoy all that nature has to offer.

5. Play Ball

Next time the kids are restless break out the bat and gloves and get a game of baseball going. Not only will you get a workout that burns over 300 calories an hour you can get your friends and family up and moving with you.

6. Bump, Set, Spike

Put up the net and get a game of volleyball going. You can tone your arms, abs and chest while practicing a quintessential sport of summer. Besides having a lot of fun in the sand you can also burn over 500 calories per hour.

7. Hit the Surf

If  learning something new and exciting this summer is more your speed why not sign up for surfing lessons? Not only will you get to play in the surf you can burn nearly 300 calories an hour riding the waves.

8. Row your Boat

For strong arms and a good calorie burn trying renting a kayak this summer. Whether you choose the rapids or find the still of a lake more your speed you can burn 350 calories an hour while paddling through the water.

9. Hit the Green

If strolling is more your speed how about a game of golf. Swinging your clubs will improve muscle tone in your arms and since an average 18 hole rounds requires 3-5 hours of walking you will burn calories and build endurance without it even feeling like exercise.

10.  Enhance Your Green Thumb

Now that your spring cleanup is out of the way why not stay outside and plant a garden? Planting and weeding means a good workout for your core and you can burn up to 300 calories in the process.

One of the best things about exercising outside in the summertime is that it doesn’t have to feel like working out at all. There is no better time to commit to getting more fit and active than when the sun is shining. Whether dancing around a bonfire or rock climbing at your favorite park get up and moving, make it fun and the health benefits are sure to follow.