Indoor Workouts to Beat the Heat this Summer and Stay in Shape

The summer months here on the Suncoast can be brutal on all of us. While the beaches and outdoor activities seem like a good idea, the extreme heat causes you to feel drained just walking out in the humidity. Staying active with amazing workouts and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through the summer months can be tough when lazy days sipping drinks by the pool or television seem the best use of time. We have compiled a brief list of amazing summertime indoor exercises to stay limber, fit, and in amazing shape even when getting outside might be stifling.

In Place Jogging Workouts

We already know that jogging is one of the most efficient exercises. However, it is not mandatory to go outside to jog. Spot jogging is a perfect pre-workout exercise as it warms up the whole body to carry out the rest of the routine without harming your muscles. You have to lift your knees and move them back to the ground. It would help if you also moved your hands like you do while jogging or running outside. It looks like you are jogging, but you don’t have to move from your spot.  

Planks for the Win

Get into a plank position with your hands and feet shoulder-width apart and tighten your core. Lower yourself onto your forearms one at a time, then place one hand under one shoulder and straighten. Repeat with the other hand, so you are back into the plank position. These workouts are an amazing all-over exercise that makes you feel the effort and look great.

Squats for Glutes, Legs, and Core

Place feet flat on the ground with your weight on your heels and feet shoulder-width apart. Keep your back and neck in natural alignment. Now lower your buttocks toward the ground until your thighs are slightly past parallel. Your knees should be behind your toes. Hold briefly, and return to a standing position. Focus on keeping your chest and abdominal muscles tight during this exercise. If freestanding squats are too difficult to start with, you may try using the back of a couch or a fitness ball placed against the wall for support.

Yoga Good for Mind and Body

No matter your needs or abilities, there’s probably a yoga style for you. If you’re looking for gentle stretches, try a calm, relaxed style like Hatha or yin. Try a power yoga session if you’re looking for something a little more intense.

Plenty of free online yoga classes are available — for example, you can find many yoga videos on YouTube or your various fitness apps if you subscribe to one. Once you get familiar with the poses and sequences, you can put together your practice without the help of a video. Regarding equipment, if you have a yoga mat, that’s great. But you don’t need one as carpet is often supportive and soft enough for at-home yoga, but you can lay down a towel for even more softness.

Couch Potato Workout

A couch potato workout is one you can do from the comfort of your couch. You squeeze it in during the commercial breaks of your favorite TV show or when you’d otherwise be vegging out.

One example of couch potato exercises is sitting-to-standing. During this exercise, you repeatedly stand up from the couch, then sit back down again. It helps build your butt and thigh muscles and can get your heart rate up, depending on how quickly you stand and sit. You can also do tricep dips. If you have one, push the coffee table out of the way. Scooch forward on the couch, so your butt is barely in contact with the edge. Put your hands on the edge of the couch on either side of your body, then push yourself up from the edge. Lower your body toward the floor, then lift your arms again. Repeat.

What are your favorite indoor workouts for the summer? Did your go-to exercise make our list, or did you maybe find a new idea or two you can implement in your fitness regime? Stay fit and happy, and live your best life, whatever the summer heat brings. Before you know it, festivals, activities, and Fall will be in full swing once again, and you want to be ready to hit the ground running for the fun holiday activities coming later this year.

Happy exercising and stay cool, Suncoast!

Feature photo courtesy of Deposit Photos