Summer has a way of throwing off even the best routines.
The kids are home. Vacations pop up. Bedtimes get later. Weekends fill up with barbecues, camping trips, summer sports, and somehow you’re eating ice cream on a Tuesday because…well…it’s summer. (Also there is a new flavor at Rockwell Ice Cream that is only here through July, so I want that every day!)
Before you know it, the workouts that were going so well in the spring have disappeared.
I try to stay active in ways that fit the season—and even better, include my family.
The goal isn’t to have the perfect six-pack by Labor Day. It’s to have the energy to enjoy summer with the people you love.
Here are a few ways I’ve found to stay active without sacrificing family time.
1. Turn Family Time Into Exercise
One of the easiest ways to stay active is to stop separating exercise from family time.
Instead of asking, “When can I work out?” ask, “How can we move together?”
Try things like:
- Family bike rides
- Hiking local trails
- Playing basketball in the driveway
- Swimming at the pool
- Evening walks around the neighborhood
- Paddleboarding or kayaking
- Pickleball at the park
Your kids don’t care if you burn 500 calories—they just want you to play with them.
2. Make Mornings Count
Summer days have a way of getting away from you. I’ve been getting up before the kids for years so I don’t have to sacrifice family time.
If you can squeeze in even 20–30 minutes before everyone wakes up, you’ll be amazed how much better the rest of the day feels.
Go for a run.
Lift some weights.
Ride your bike.
Do a quick bodyweight workout in the garage.
Getting it done early means you’re free to enjoy the rest of the day without feeling guilty.
3. Keep It Simple
You don’t need a complicated workout plan.
Some days, success looks like:
- 30 push-ups
- A one-mile walk
- A bike ride with the kids
- Shooting hoops for half an hour
Consistency beats perfection every single time.
4. Say Yes to Adventure
Summer is the perfect excuse to try something new.
Maybe that’s:
- Rock climbing
- Pickleball
- Mountain biking
- Fishing
- Trail running
- Golf
- Stand-up paddleboarding
You might even discover a hobby your whole family enjoys together.
5. Get Competitive
Nothing motivates me quite like a little competition.
Challenge your kids to:
- A shooting contest
- A push-up challenge
- A relay race
- A pickleball match
- A family obstacle course
You don’t have to let them win every time…but maybe every once in a while.
6. Walk More Than You Drive
If it’s close, walk.
Ride bikes to get ice cream.
Walk to the neighborhood park.
Take the long route after dinner.
Park in a parking stall further away.
Those extra steps add up without ever feeling like exercise.
7. Use Chores as a Workout
Summer usually comes with a long list of outdoor projects.
Instead of dreading them, count them as movement, and don’t forget to include the kids.
- Mow the lawn
- Pull weeds
- Wash the cars
- Move mulch
- Build a garden box
- Clean the garage
You’ll get things done and break a sweat at the same time.
8. Focus on Energy, Not the Scale
Summer isn’t the season to obsess over numbers.
Instead, ask yourself:
- Do I have energy to play with my kids?
- Can I keep up on hikes?
- Do I feel stronger than I did last month?
- Am I making choices that help me feel good?
Those wins matter a lot more than the number staring back at you from the bathroom scale.
9. Give Yourself Grace
There will be vacations.
Late-night s’mores.
Birthday parties.
Camping trips.
You’ll probably miss a few workouts.
That’s okay.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s staying active enough that you don’t have to start over when summer ends.
One workout won’t make you fit.
One missed workout won’t ruin your progress either.
Just keep showing up.
Summer Is Meant to Be Lived
One of my favorite things about summer is that movement doesn’t have to happen inside four walls.
Some of the best workouts don’t look like workouts at all. They look like chasing your kids through the sprinklers, carrying paddleboards to the lake, hiking to a viewpoint, or playing one more game of basketball before the sun goes down.
Your kids probably won’t remember how much weight you lifted this summer.
But they’ll remember that you said yes to playing with them.
And that’s a pretty great reason to stay active.
