Summer is here and you know what that means! Beaches, volleyball, and long days of enjoying the warmer weather, the outdoors, and letting yourself relax a bit from the regular routine.

It also means more pressure to stay fit, despite the temptation to drink another pina colada or laze about in the sun all day. After all, if you’re going to be wearing lighter, shorter or more revealing clothing, or a swimsuit, or that fantastic clingy summer dress, then you want to feel great too, no?

Instead of pressuring yourself to keep to your normal workout schedule at the gym even when you’re on vacation, perhaps it’s time to come up with a new routine that allows you to enjoy summer while still keeping active and fit. Now’s the time to ease away from the gym and opt for an outdoor lifestyle to keep you motivated, fit, and in the process, have a little more fun with your workout.

Following are some great alternatives to your gym routine:

Swimming.

You don’t need a lake or a beach near you, just your neighborhood community pool. Try doing some laps and working your arms, back, and abs. Swimming is a great workout because it’s easier on your joints, builds your endurance, and provides a way to work muscles you typically ignore in a normal gym rotation.

Kayaking.

There’s nothing more relaxing than kayaking and taking in the sights, but many people don’t realize until they have paddled for ten minutes that it actually takes some work! Build your arms and back muscles, and enjoy a restful afternoon in the process.

Running, hiking, or walking outside.

There’s no need to get on a treadmill during the summer months. Opt for going outside instead, whether you like to hike, run, or just take a brisk walk. If it’s too hot, then try early in the morning or during the evening when the sun is going down. This is a great workout for your thighs, calves and abs and lifts your spirits for the day.

Volleyball.

Don’t like solo sports? Then try getting some friends together for volleyball. There's no pressure to perform well, and the ball will keep you moving for a good workout. Add a cooler of beer, water and snacks to the package and make an afternoon of it.

Paddleboarding.

Not convinced? The latest summer sport rage is paddle boarding, and while some people argue that it looks more passive than active, it is truly a great workout. It forces you to balance, which is great for abs and legs. Plus, you move slowly so you can really take in the scenery as you work out. And if you're really motivated, try doing a yoga class atop a paddleboard for a bigger workout challenge.

If you can't get outside and still want to keep fit you may want to try out an online fitness streaming service like Daily Burn which has a daily fitness class for all levels called 365.

Happy summer!