Our Blog | O2 Fitness Clubs and Gym

Summer Activities That Strengthen Your Core

Written by O2 Fitness | Jul 28, 2023

Summer is the perfect time to get outside, enjoy the sunshine, and do all the fun activities that you can! The best part? A lot of the activities you love (or want to try) not only keep you active, but also secretly help build your core strength.

Your core muscles play a key role in your stability, balance, and overall strength. In this blog, we'll explore a variety of summer activities that will give your core a solid workout and are fun to do with your friends and family.

Let's dive in and make this summer one to remember!

Paddle boarding.

Paddleboarding is not only a great way to explore serene lakes, conquer epic ocean waves, and soak up the sun in style. It is also an incredible core workout! Balancing up on the board engages your abdominal muscles, obliques, and lower back, making it an awesome full-body workout.

Beach Volleyball.

Beach volleyball is a total core killer! The sand adds an extra challenge, making those abs work hard for balance and quick moves. Jumping and diving in the soft sand? Your core is going to be working the whole time to keep you stable. So make time to get outside and play, and you'll have a rock-solid core ready for anything life throws your way this summer!

Kayaking.

Paddling through rivers or across lakes in a kayak, it seems obvious that this is a great arm workout. As you paddle through the water, your core muscles work hard to stabilize your body and maintain proper form. Even if you narrowly avoid going overboard, staying balanced challenges your abs and lower back, building strength and endurance too.

Best of all, it's super fun to do with friends and family! You won't even realize you're giving your core an epic workout while you're out enjoying the water

Outdoor Yoga Classes.

Taking your yoga session outside is a great way to add a little extra tranquility to your yoga experience! Many of the yoga poses you'll do in a standard class will require you to engage your core to stay balanced and stable, making it an ideal activity to strengthen your core and enjoy being outside.

So, hit that pose, feel the burn, and have a blast strengthening that core under the open sky!

Hiking or Nature Trail Walks.

Hit the trails and explore the great outdoors while the weather's nice for a fun way to switch up your core workout. As you navigate those uphill climbs and tricky descents, your core muscles work overtime to keep you steady and balanced. Plus, exploring nature's beauty makes the workout feel like an adventure!

So, grab your hiking boots, hit the trails, and let your core show off its hiking prowess!

Check out our list of the Best Hikes in North Carolina or our list of the Best Trails in South Carolina here!

Slacklining. 

If you really want to try something new, get out of your comfort zone and give slacklining a try! Slacklining requires you to balance on the narrow strap suspended between two anchor points, which causes you to engage your core while working to improve your stability and coordination.

Bike Riding.

Bike riding is a great activity to build your core strength! It engages multiple muscles in your abdominal and lower back regions. While you bike, your core is constantly working to stabilize your body. Hills and sprinting use your core to generate power and maintain control. Regular bike riding not only improves core strength but also promotes better endurance and overall fitness levels!

Prep for taking your ride to the road in the Cycle Studio with classes like Ride, RPM, and Sprint!

In Conclusion...

This summer, we want you to make the most of the warm weather by going out and exploring with these exciting outdoor activities that also serve as core-strengthening workouts. Not only will you be living life to the fullest, but you'll also finish the summer strong with a stronger and more stable core.

Remember to stay hydrated, use proper form, and have a blast while you build that core strength!