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School’s Out, Get Fit this Summer

by Nicole Dorsey Straff

Yes, you can work up a sweat with your sisters, children, borrowed dogs and husbands… and not necessarily in that order but you get the picture. Here are a slew of get-active alternatives for being outside and playing like a kid (even if you don’t have one around).

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that teens and kids get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day and recommend that every adult get a minimum of 30 minutes. Here are foolproof ways to get everybody off the couch and remember: Everyone is more likely to exercise if your past-times are fun and entertaining.

Play the Sprinkler Olympics.  Mix kids and water play, and you’ve got yourself fun in the sun – and hours of calorie-burning pleasure! An afternoon of hose fun includes washing the dogs, watering a garden and playing in the mud. Break out old bathtub toys, patch up the toddler pool and soak up the sun and imaginary surf.

Get Rolling. Choose your circular workout, whether it’s on bikes, in-line skates, razor scooters, or skateboard, fun is so much faster on a set of wheels.  Instead of meeting your girlfriends for coffee post-Pilates, you could be blasting 200 calories in 30 minutes or so by skating, power walking or even jogging alongside your pals.

Go Berry Picking. This season, plan a trip to a local strawberry or blueberry patch, which offers the chance to participate in summer harvests through Labor Day weekend. Some organic farms also offer horse-drawn carriages and hay rides to transform the excursion into a true-blue adventure. Pack a picnic basket and make a dynamic day of it.

Hop on a Ball. Nab a playground ball, some open space, maybe a soccer ball and sneakers, and you have the makings of a classic neighborhood game of kickball or soccer. All ages can play, and you can create goal posts from old towels or construction cones. “Enlist local kids and parents for a pick-up game of basketball or softball to help boost coordination and agility,” said personal trainer Jessica Cummings at BodyScapes gym in Brookline, Mass.

Finally, go fly a kite. Adventurous types of all ages can get their sweat on by playing mini golf, setting up a badminton court or playing croquet too.

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