If you’re thinking about building a more active lifestyle, summer is an ideal time to start. Outdoor exercise is great for your mind, body and soul, and we’ve got lots of activity ideas to get you moving in the sunshine.
Our unique Body Magic activity programme is all about getting active in a way that feels comfortable for your fitness level, and that fits in with your lifestyle – so feel free to skip, repeat or adapt any of these ideas to suit you.
Find out more: Your local Slimming World Consultant will be happy to tell you more about how our Body Magic activity programme can support your weight loss
11 summer activity ideas
🎢 Plan an active day out
From exploring a new city or walking around a theme park to hitting an adventure playground, you can quickly rack up the steps during a day trip. To reap those Body Magic rewards, go for a brisk pace – one that increases your breathing, raises your heart rate and makes you feel warmer (although you should still be able to hold a conversation).
Kirsty (in our main image above) is on cloud nine after reaching her dream weight – and what better way to celebrate than with a trip to blooming-beautiful tulip fields?
More on the blog: Eight ways to enjoy an active day out
🚴 Go on a bike ride
Cycling is excellent for your heart and lungs (and easy on your joints!), so dust off your bike and you’ll soon start to feel the benefits. Slimming World member Nicola lost an incredible 10st and now cycles every day.
More on the blog: Discover our beginner’s guide to cycling
🗺️ Organise a treasure trail
A trip to the woods is great for keeping the kids entertained in the holidays – add a treasure hunt into the mix and turn your walk into a real adventure. Plan your own course and clues or head to Treasuretrails.co.uk to find routes near you.
🏋️♀️ Move your workout outdoors
Lace up your trainers and head outside to improve more than just your fitness levels. There’s evidence to suggest people get a bigger mood boost if they work out amongst nature. Plus, getting a bit of sunshine can help to top up your vitamin D levels.
Slimming World member Tim makes getting active a family affair, which is a great way to fit activity into a busy lifestyle – and get healthier together!
🏖️ Head to the coast
If you’re off to the seaside, there are usually a bucket-and-spade load of activities for you to try, from frisbee and kite-flying to beach volleyball. Or, release your inner child and build a sandcastle (all the squatting, digging and walking to and from the shore definitely counts as Body Magic activity!).
Our member Caroline has lost 5st 7lbs and enjoys keeping active with seaside walks (accompanied by her furry friend, Molly).
🚶🏿♂️ Take a walk
Fresh air, lovely views, birds singing… no wonder a study found that people who head outside for a stroll can feel their mood lift in just 15 minutes. Any walk that makes you feel warmer and speeds up your heart rate brings benefits, and choosing a route with a hill or two will work the muscles in your thighs and bum even harder.
Slimming World Consultant Jim is out and about in hilly Edinburgh, with little Leo for company.
More for members: Slimming World members can check out a helpful guide on how to walk your way to fitness – plus many more activity how-tos and workout videos – on our exclusive member website.
You could also download one of our exclusive walking podcasts and enjoy a stroll with Slimming World!
🏊 Get in the water
Swimming is brilliant Body Magic, because it works your whole body – and it’s easy on your joints. If you find doing lengths a bit dull, and the weather’s nice and warm, take a trip to a water park or enjoy an energetic paddle at a wild swimming spot.
Our member and Consultant Georgie stepped outside of her comfort zone and made a (chilly) splash at a spot with friends.
More on the blog: Six swimming tips for beginners
🏄 Give water sports a go
Whether you visit a water sports centre or book a taster session at the seaside, activities like kayaking, sailing and surfing are adrenalin-pumping ways to squeeze in some exercise. Sarah loves paddle boarding – and brings her Body Magic buddies along to make it even more enjoyable.
More on the blog: Four of the best outdoor activities to try
🎾 Have a bash at tennis
Does Wimbledon always inspire you to try your hand at tennis? If so, there are plenty of reasons to head to your local court. This full-body workout improves coordination, helps your heart health when it’s played regularly, and is a really sociable form of Body Magic – so it’s good for your mental health as well.
More on the blog: Try your hand at tennis with our beginner’s guide
👨🌾 Spruce up your garden
Summer is the perfect time to do some gardening. Energetic digging and raking count as cardio, while pushing a wheelbarrow or mower and carrying heavy pots will add some strength training, too. And, if you decide to grow your own Free Food like our member Hilary, you’ll find planting and digging up veg is great for your flexibility. Read Hilary’s story here.
More for members: Slimming World members will find a handy beginner’s guide to turning gardening into a workout on our exclusive member website.
💃 Do a little dance
Are you going to a music festival or garden party this summer? Let your hair down and show off your moves to get your heart rate up and the feel-good endorphins flowing.
Aaron had an amazing time at Leeds Festival last year, after losing 14st with Slimming World! Read Aaron’s story here.
How will Slimming World help me get more active?
Our unique Body Magic activity programme supports you to build up your fitness levels at your own pace. When you join Slimming World you’ll get access to our full get-fit tool kit, including:
- expert support to help you recognise, then overcome, any personal barriers
- more than 90 fun, easy-to-follow activity videos
- a series of guided walking podcasts
- Body Magic awards to celebrate your progress
- fitness quizzes and articles, including exercise guides and activity ideas
- member-exclusive podcasts to listen to on the go
- a helpful online tracker to plan and record your activity
