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Summer is officially here which means it’s time to get out and get fit. But even if you’re not keen on the outdoors, there are still tons of ways to get in shape indoors as well. But whoever said getting fit can’t be fun? You just have to take some time and find a hobby you enjoy doing. So find yourself a comfortable pair of athletic shoes, take a few deep breaths, and get moving!

Mountain biking

Mountain biking is a sport that can get pretty intense. You can think of it a lot like interval training. On a typical trail, you can expect some flat ground, some vigorous uphill battles, and easy-going downhill slopes. If by any chance you fall off your bike or cannot ride through an area, you’ll have no choice but to do some hiking with your bike. And it’s in those short bursts of intense and lighter cycling that you can really feel the calories burning. Even as a beginner, you can burn as much as 400 calories in a half hour.

Hiking

For a more casual workout, consider hiking as a pastime. You’ll be able to enjoy scenic routes, get some fresh air, and you can also bring your family and friends along. Hiking is a great lower-body and cardio workout and doesn’t put too much impact on your knees or joints. Trails can vary in difficulty and length, so it’s wise to get acquainted with how intense a trail will be before you embark. The average person will burn around 400 to 600 calories per hour of hiking casual trails, although, carrying a heavier pack or doing a lot of uphill hiking will lead to even more calories burned.

Rock climbing

Rock climbing might not be for the faint of heart, but it’s one of the most exhilarating activities you can do. At first sight, most people might think it’s simple to do. It’s just like climbing a ladder, some might say as they put on climbing shoes. But the more you climb, the more you’ll realise the serious levels of fitness you have to be in to improve. Climbing tones the entire body from the arms to the back to your core, thighs, calves, and even your toes! For the average person, expect to lose anywhere from 300 to 400 calories climbing for a half hour.

Horseback riding

It might not seem like it, but horseback riding actually works out your body more than you’d think (like your abs, quads, and especially the calves). In fact, almost anything you do related to riding horses can help tone your body, from grooming a horse, carrying feed bags, stacking hay bales, or sweeping the yard. Riding a horse for 60 minutes at a walk, trot, and canter can burn up to 250 calories, while doing something more strenuous such as galloping can burn up to 550 calories per hour.

However, always remember, that safety comes first! For instance, horse saddle pads are an essential part of horseback riding that few riders think about. With the right horse saddle pad, you can make sure your horse is comfortable and protected from any potential irritation or skin sores caused by the saddle rubbing up against it. Not only does this increase your horse’s safety, but it also increases your own safety, as a comfortable horse is more likely to respond better to commands and be easier to handle. Some horse owners use special horse saddle pads that provide extra cushioning and support for horses while riding, which will make your experience more enjoyable all around.

Dancing

Last but not least, you always have the option of dancing your troubles away. Dancing is a great way to burn calories and relieve stress, not to mention it’s an absolute blast! Of course, there are a good amount of dance styles out there so there’s bound to be something you’ll fall in love with. And it goes without saying, dancing to something more intense will burn even more calories. For example, dancing to hip hop for 60 minutes can use up anywhere from 370-610 calories, while ballet can burn 380-450 and swing 300-350 calories dancing the same amount of time.