The 5 Best Ways to Get Active at the Beach - From a Cape Cod Native
You’re sitting in your chair about to leave the beach.
It's been an awesome day, but you feel lazy. Not that it’s a bad thing, but you feel like you could’ve at least done SOMETHING for the 4+ hours you’ve been here - or 8 if you grew up in a family like mine where it’s literally a whole day's event -.
Your book entertained you for the most part, but your legs are numb since you haven’t moved an inch in hours.
I’ve been to the beach a million times. Well, not a million, but enough to know the feeling.
You go to the beach to relax… but when you finally peel your sticky thighs from the chair, you feel sloth-like.
Maybe it’s your parents living rent-free in your head and telling you to get moving. Or it’s your mind telling you that your body wants to move more.
Either way, there are so many benefits of being active even for 15 minutes a day. And getting your body moving at the beach is pretty easy –and fun – to do.
And after you’re done reading, if you are looking for more reasons to stay active, check out my other blog posts.
The Beach Is Where I Go to Relax but Also Fit in Some Activity
The beach is where I like to go to get a little r&r – whether it be to read a book, lay down in my chair, or take a nap on a towel.
I grew up on Cape Cod where the soothing sounds of the ocean are every beach lover’s paradise.
There are so many beaches near me, I am definitely what you would consider your typical beach bum.
I’ve had those days of napping and diving into my scary-as-hell Stephen King novel while sitting for hours.
But once I hit the 30s mark, I felt like I should be moving around more. Especially when my FitBit was zapping my wrist to get moving. I don’t blame it – I was sitting in my chair for hours on end.
How can I be active at the beach without feeling like I didn’t get enough rest time?
Well, I researched some of the best ways to stay active and wanted to share them with you.
I now enjoy my books along with a little workout to burn some calories.
And when I hear that familiar tune ringing and kids are sprinting to the ice cream truck, I no longer feel guilty running up there myself.
Burning some calories throughout the day means I can splurge a little and enjoy treats that I otherwise would try and avoid.
Being Active on the Beach Doesn’t Mean you have to Workout for Two Hours
Remember, being active doesn’t mean you have to be running for miles and doing burpees on the beach. I’m talking about small movements in minimal time. They can make your body and mind say, “Aww yeah,” because you feel so much better afterward.
Did you know that being sedentary is almost as bad as smoking cigarettes? It’s terrible for your health so it's important to get moving. 1
Getting in a little beach activity is one of the best parts of my beach vacation. I can either lay down and be lazy while I'm soaking up the sun. Or I can peel myself off my chair and get a quick workout in because any amount of exercise is better than none.
Here’s 5 Perfect and Super Simple Ways to Stay Active While at the Beach
Ok so here are the five ways that I like to stay active while having a beach day:
Walking
Walking on the beach is so beneficial for you. According to Healthline, it can burn about one-and-a-half to two times more calories than regular walking. 2
Whether you want to walk a few miles before you settle in on your beach chair or take a break and collect seashells down by the water, walking is an easy and simple exercise you can do while enjoying your beach day.
2. Beach Sports
While beach volleyball certainly comes to mind as a beach sport, something as simple as throwing a football around or playing paddle ball with your beach buddy totally counts. You could even grab a frisbee and get out in the water and throw it around.
Any of those activities are wonderful for you and are definitely beneficial for children as well…
And if your significant other is anything like mine, they need activities while at the beach and will be happy that you decided to join them.
There’s nothing wrong with having a little beach fun!
3. Swimming
While some people may opt out of getting into the ocean, there are so many benefits to swimming. It’s one of the most incredible exercises you can do for your body. Did you know that treading water for just 30 minutes can burn up to 330 calories? 3
Plus on a hot summer day, there is nothing quite like the refreshing feeling of jumping in the cold ocean. And apparently, that salt water heals your soul.
4. Yoga/Pilates
Even 10 minutes of beach yoga or pilates can have so many benefits for your body! Not only will it help relax you, but it will tone your muscles and make you feel even better in your bathing suit.
Here’s a noteworthy yoga video that I love to try out. 3 Imagine how incredible you’ll feel afterward. Whip out your towel, and get going.
5. Stretching
If you are feeling kinda blah and want to give your body some love, why not stretch for 15 minutes?
It's quick and easy, and you can do it on your beach towel!
According to Harvard Medical School, stretching can help your muscles stay flexible, strong, and healthy and we all need that flexibility to maintain a healthy range of motion and help sustain our joints.
If you try to use your muscles without stretching, you are at a higher risk for injury.
It only takes a few minutes, and stretching on your towel or in the sand can bring huge benefits to your body.
And did I mention it’s also super relaxing?
Being Active Has So Many Wonderful Benefits
So whether you are on vacation, or you go to your local beach all the time, there are so many benefits of moving while you're at the beach.
Yes, we all love being in our beach chairs or laying on our blankets, but fitting in a few minutes of activity can be so beneficial to your body.
It can also make you feel incredible afterward.
If you are interested in hearing more about the benefits of staying active, check out my blog for other ideas.
Enjoy and get moving.
Leave your comments below on ways you like to be active while at the beach
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