When it’s too hot to run outside during the day, check out these 9 cardio workout options for summer!
It’s the peak of summer! Meaning…it’s hot!!! (To everyone that’s experiencing extreme heat, I feel ya! Hope it comes back down to normal soon!) For many of us, running is a go-to for getting some effective cardio. But what do you do when it’s too hot outside to run? Check out these 9 cardio alternatives for summer! (No matter what, please exercise caution both indoors and out during extreme heat, and make sure to stay hydrated! It’s better to forego that workout completely rather than endure heat exhaustion. I am not a medical professional; please consult your doctor before beginning any exercise regimen.)
1. Go to an indoor trampoline park!
Starting off with something completely off the wall – jumping on a trampoline! These parks are an absolute blast – they’re basically filled with wall-to-wall trampolines. You pay for a time slot (usually between 1-3 hours), get special grippy socks for safety reasons, and then just jump to your heart’s content! Leaping on a trampoline for an hour really does give you a good workout (trust me, you’ll be feeling it in your breath and your abs!). Plus it’s sure to put a smile on your face as you experience that childhood joy of feeling weightless. In addition, there may also be a ninja course, dodgeball, and various other activities (all taking place on trampolines, of course!).
2. Play some basketball or raquetball at your local community recreation center.
Lots of rec centers have basketball and/or raquetball courts, and you can lots of times purchase a day pass to access. Running around after a ball on the court will certainly get your body moving!
3. Go swimming at a local pool.
Swimming is a fantastic cardio workout, especially if you do laps. Many rec centers will have a pool in addition to b-ball courts, and some gyms have pools as well. You can swim whatever stroke is comfortable for you. Sometimes there will be kickboards, pool noodles, and/or pool “barbells” available; this way you can exercise mainly your legs if you prefer.
4. Attend a Zumba class!
For another great cardio workout alternative for summer, check out Zumba! This is an aerobic class incorporating Latin dance moves and has become increasingly popular over the years. It moves your body in nonconventional ways for an aerobic workout, so you’ll exercise different muscles than you otherwise would. Plus you get to listen to Latin dance music the entire class! Zumba classes are usually available at gyms, but you can also find them at dance studios and even with independent dance instructors.
5. Enroll in a step dance class (and practice at home)!
Dancing in any form can be a great workout. Step dances like tap, clogging, and Irish dance enable you to move your feet quite quickly. Irish requires even more effort, requiring you to dance on the balls of your feet (thereby strengthening your calf muscles). Hour-long classes are a great workout, and when you practice at home, you’re reaping even more cardio benefit. (If you’re doubting your ability to learn a new dance, check out my post here on learning as an adult!)
6. Go swing or salsa dancing.
An hour of swing dancing will definitely get you sweaty! Swing and salsa tend to use a medium-to-fast tempo, and you can perform a lot of quick moves with these. Combine that with dancing for an hour straight, and you’ll definitely be breathing hard! Dancing may not seem like your typical cardio workout, but it can provide the same effects as a good jog.
7. If you still want to run, go early in the morning just after sunrise.
If the nights are going down to reasonable temperatures, a run when the sun comes up can be great! This is generally the coolest part of the day. So it’s more likely to feel much more pleasant than later in the morning or the afternoon. Of course, bring your water bottle with you to ensure you stay hydrated, even when it’s cooler! (To help you get up with the sun, check out my post with tips on waking up early and refreshed here!)
8. Run up and down indoor stairs!
If you have access to a flight (or multiple flights) of steps, take a few turns running it! This can certainly get the blood pumping quickly. If you’re in a tall building with many flights, you can try running the entire way up and down. Or you can run up and down between a few floors multiple times. If you start to feel dizzy, though, make sure to take a break.
9. Do a Youtube running workout at home.
There are lots of workouts available on Youtube that incorporate step movements (not just running in place). They could include stepping from side to side, grapevines, knee lifts, kickbacks, jumping jacks, “jumping rope”, or various other movements. Some of these may be at more of a walking speed, and some may replicate a running pace. Try one of these in the comfortable A/C of your living room! (For ideas on walking Youtube workouts, check out my post here!)
Takeaway
Running and cardio exercises like burpees may be the most well-known cardio regimens, but there are so many ways to get your exercise! Almost every single one of the methods above can be performed indoors, which makes them fantastic for summer. So next time it’s hot out and you just can’t stand to sit around, check out one of these 9 cardio workout options for summer!
Cover image photo credit: IStockPhoto.com/ViewApart
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What great ideas! I’m all for swimming!
Dancing is fun, even though I’m super awkward at it. 😂
Taking dance classes is definitely easier and I’m sure there are tons in you tube.
Great tips! I run early in the day when the weather is hot. It is the only way to beat the heat!
I run the stairs at work all the time! I usually have the stairwell to myself, so I even throw in some other stuff like squats on the landings! It’s perfect!
Love it!
Swimming is my favorite summer cardio.
My knees do not love running but I can do sprints and then hike or walk. I may look to see if any youtube videos have a combo of slot and steady with small sprints to keep my knees healthy.
Great ideas for summer! I used to do zumba. So fun.