7 Ways to Stay Fit in Miami, FL
Finding ways to stay fit doesn’t have to be hard. Even simple strolls through your neighborhood count toward your overall health and fitness, but you might be looking for more creative ways to stay active. Luckily, Miami is home to beautiful beaches, walking and biking trails, and yoga studios, each with something different to offer.
Whether you prefer the exhilarating feel of surfing the waves or the soothing ambiance of an invigorating yoga class, there are plenty of ways to stay fit in Miami. Here are a few ideas to add to your workout regimen.
1. Ride the Waves
Surfing is an outstanding activity that engages multiple muscle groups throughout the body, including the core, legs, arms, shoulders, and back. As you paddle out to catch the waves, you’ll work your upper body and core muscles. When you hop up onto the board to ride the wave, you’ll feel it in your lower body muscles as you balance and stabilize yourself.
Surfing is excellent for your balance, coordination, and cardiovascular health, making it a worthy addition to your exercise routine. When the regular routine gets boring, trade a workout for a few hours out on the water.
2. Spend Time on the Water
Spending time floating on the ocean’s surface (or a lake or river) is a great way to relax and unplug while getting in good-quality exercise. Rent a paddleboard for some stand-up paddleboarding, which is an exceptional way to strengthen your core and improve your balance. Many folks enjoy paddleboarding in the calm waters of Biscayne Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway.
Or, if you prefer to be seated during activities like these, opt for a kayak or canoe to take you out on the water. Rowing is excellent for the muscles of your arms, shoulders, back, and legs, giving you a full-body burn as you glide along. Plus, since you’ll need coordination and balance to maintain good rowing form, it promotes good posture and body alignment.
3. Go for a Bike Ride
Miami has a diverse array of bike-friendly paths and trails scattered throughout the city. The scenic Venetian Causeway and the Miami Beach Boardwalk are popular options, offering incredible views of the ocean and a nice breeze off the water.
It’s a low-impact option that target the muscles of the legs, particularly the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calves. If you want an extra burn, find a route with uneven terrain, complete with a few hills to climb up.
4. Play Beach Volleyball
If you enjoy your workout in the form of an invigorating, fast-paced game, participate in a game of beach volleyball. There are courts across the various beaches in the city, so there’s ample opportunity to play.
While you play, you’ll engage all sorts of muscle groups in the body, from your legs for jumping and agility to your core for stability and balance. The constant movement is great for your cardiovascular fitness, giving you an aerobic workout that burns calories and strengthens the heart and lungs. On top of that, it helps train your agility and reflexes, as you’ll need quick reactions, fast footwork, and split-second decision-making to keep up.
5. Soak Up the Sun in Outdoor Yoga
Looking for something relaxing yet challenging? Sign up for an outdoor yoga class (or indoor, if you prefer) at a studio near you. Yoga looks deceptively easy, but that couldn’t be further from the truth, so don’t underestimate it.
While there are more relaxing, low-key classes available, many yoga classes invite a challenging burn into the muscles. Between lengthy holds, slow-paced flows, and breathwork, you’re in for a fun and challenging session. When you’re done, you might even find that you feel calmer and more grounded than when you arrived because yoga can help engage your body’s relaxation response and drop the production of stress hormones like cortisol.
6. Take a Dip
Miami is home to beautiful warm waters, not to mention an assortment of swimming pools scattered throughout gyms and community centers throughout the city. Swimming is an excellent way to cool off and beat the heat, especially on a sweltering summer day.
It engages nearly every major muscle group in the body, making it an outstanding full-body workout. It’s a low-impact option, too, so it’s good for those with joint pain or mobility issues.
If you’re up for the challenge of swimming in the surf, go for it! Or, if you want something a bit more low-key (and less busy), go for a swim at your local gym or community center.
7. Enroll in a Dance Class
Miami has a vibrant nightlife scene teeming with plenty of opportunities to flaunt your dance skills. If those skills are lacking but you want to change that, participate in one of the many dance classes available across the city. These classes double as a way to build those skills and get in some exercise—it’s a win-win!
Dancing is a fun way to burn calories, improve coordination, and relieve stress. Plus, energetic dance classes can burn about the same amount of calories as you would jogging (and dancing is much more entertaining!).
Get a Personalized Workout Plan From Svetness
If you’re at a loss for ways to stay active and need help drafting a workout plan that fits your needs and preferences, we’re here to help. Our Miami personal trainers at Svetness will craft a workout plan designed to fit your needs, whether you prefer high-intensity training or a more laid-back, low-impact approach.
Ready to kickstart your fitness journey with a plan designed for you? Schedule a free consultation today by completing our online contact form.