10 Fun Ways to Burn Calories This Summer

GALTime.com

By Carissa Wright, GalTime.com

It's swimsuit season…and wedding season, and reunion season, and the season for just about everything else. There's something about the coming of the sun that turns us into uber-social beings, and because we have so many gatherings to attend (and because summer clothing typically consists of less fabric), we all want to look our best. Working to maintain a healthy body is the hard part.

For many of us, working out is right up there on the list of things that make us miserable, just beneath bra shopping and putting away groceries. So, GalTime enlisted the expert help of Mylene Dane, a certified personal trainer at one of the top fitness gyms in Hollywood.

"Living in L.A. where the weather is gorgeous, I like to mix it up with my clients and take advantage of the outdoors," Mylene explains.

Here are Mylene's top ways to work out while having fun during the leisurely summer months and how many calories you burn doing each activity for one half hour:

  1. Hiking-180 calories

No matter where you live, there are almost always gorgeous hiking or walking trails to take advantage of. Mylene suggests varying your workout with a mix of different terrains and gradations to give yourself a challenge that will burn off those calories. Want to kick the fun up a notch?

"Bring your doggies!" she suggests.

  1. Dancing Underneath the Stars-165 calories

Here's a fun twist on something you might even find yourself doing in the comfort of your own room. When the skies are clear and the weather is nice, grab your friends and some speakers, and dance! Somehow good music, good friends, and good weather naturally go together anyway.

"A lot of parts are hosting dancing underneath the stars," Mylene notes. "It's a fun activity that's social too!"

Related: Lift That Saggy Butt-- No Gym Required

  1. Explore the Boardwalk-between 150 and 400 calories

If you live in an area with a boardwalk, you know that it's already a hot summer hangout. Mylene says that rollerblading or skateboarding up and down the boardwalk for a half hour burns about 150 calories. She also notes that if you decide to bike it instead, you more than double the number of calories you burn to 300 (400 when biking vigorously).

  1. Horseback Riding

Although it's hard to pinpoint a general number of calories burned while riding a horse, this fun activity could definitely help you tone those muscles.

Related: Exercise Less, Burn More Calories

  1. Hit the Pool-between 90 and 300 calories

The pool is probably the number one place to cool off when the heat waves start to sweep across America. Although people mostly think of swimming when it comes to pools (a half hour of rigorous laps burns about 300 calories), Mylene also points out that you can also play water volleyball (150 calories) or participate in water aerobics (90 calories) and still get a work out. You can stay cool and stay fit.

Related: Reshape Your Body in 4 Minutes!

  1. A Day at the Beach-between 90 and 375 calories

"While you're at the beach, don't just lay out," Mylene explains. "There are a ton of activities that will keep you looking better in your bikini."

First, when you take to the water, you can employ some of those calorie-burning pool techniques mentioned before. Mylene also suggests switching up your workout by playing Frisbee with some friends (90 calories), running on the sand (375 calories at an 8 minute mile pace), or even body surfing!

  1. Hit the Courts-between 120 and 210 calories

Tennis and volleyball are two heart pumping ways to get in a good workout this summer, which Mylene weights in at 210 and 120 calories, respectively. As if we needed an excuse to break out our cute little outfits!

Related: How Long Does It Take To Burn Off 100 Calories?

  1. Take Care of Your Lawn-120-130 calories

Bet you didn't see that one coming! If maintaining your yard seems like hard work, that's probably because it is. Mylene tells us that mowing your lawn can burn 120 calories/half hour, and digging or sowing seeds can burn about 130 calories. How's that for multi-tasking?

  1. Play with kids or dogs-a ton of calories!

For many of us, especially mothers, this is our job from day to day. It is near impossible to tell just how many calories we burn running after our little ones, but Mylene suggests that because it's such a tough job, it definitely qualifies as a workout.

  1. Get Creative!

Find something you like to do and add a twist. You can go kayaking, rock climbing, or spend the day strolling around the zoo. Whatever you do, make it fun and make it count!

Mylene Dane is owner of Train West Hollywood where she is a cycling instructor, Certified Private Trainer, and a Certified Nutrition Specialist. Her health and fitness philosophies have recently won her countless fans in the gym and throughout L.A. She works to inspire people to feel better about themselves at any age.

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