If you’re anything like me, the springtime brings thoughts of a summer filled with relaxation, hanging out and wondering what to do with oodles of extra time. But, between work, vacation, BBQs and summer parties, the calendar fills up quickly and the first thing to go is our regular fitness routine. With kids at home and no set schedule, it can be a challenge to fit in a little exercise!

Even though FITMOM Ottawa classes are running on a reduced schedule this August, rest assured, there are still ways to stay active over the next month, when you’re out and about with your kids! Here are some suggestions to keep you and the entire family active in August:

1. Go for a swim!

There are lots of indoor and outdoor pools and some great local beaches across the City, where families can go for a swim. If you have a chance to go solo, you can try lane swimming, or you might look for a mom and baby program if it’s just you and your little one. There are also wave pools, splash pads and waterparks across Ottawa that older kids love! You’ll want to check various websites before you go to find out when the open swim times or classes are, since some programs don’t run for the entire summer. Swimming is an excellent way to stay fit, keep cool and have fun!

2. Try a new family sport

If the kids are at home, one of the best ways to stay active is to do something together. This not only encourages the kids to get moving, but you as well. It may not be a traditional endurance program, but it’s surprising how energetic families can be when they’re doing a physical activity together. Over the years, we’ve done many things as a family - biking, tennis, badminton and volleyball, to name a few (we even have our own badminton and volleyball nets!). These activities promote both quality family time and healthy physical activity – win-win!

3. Go for a bike ride

Grab your bikes and head out on some of Ottawa’s wonderful bike paths. The scenery is beautiful when you bike along the Rideau Canal or the Ottawa River. Check out these suggestions for self guided bicycle tours in Ottawa. There are guides for routes from the east to the west end of Ottawa, as well as some in Gatineau. Many are loops, but if you prefer a shorter version, you can always go on an out and back ride of one of the loops. Biking a terrific way to see new places!

4. Play Freeze Tag

This game will bring back plenty of memories from your childhood, is an exciting way to increase your cardio and the kids love it! Growing up, we played games like this in our backyard and the neighbourhood kids would all join in after supper. It was loads of fun! If you don’t have a backyard big enough, find a park to play in and you’ll be sure to have a whole slew of kids playing with you before you know it!

5. Take a walk to your local park

A simple walk to the park can be one of the best ways to stay active. With the kids in tow, you can encourage everyone to get moving! Use the play structure or benches at your park to get in some of your own exercise. You can practice some step-ups, push-ups or tricep dips on the benches or use the high bar to try some pull ups while the kids run around and tire themselves out.  

6. Drop in to a free run club

Did you know that the Running Room offers a free run club? There are all sorts of levels and distances from learn to run all the way to a full marathon. There are a few locations in Ottawa, so you can choose the one that’s closest to you. It’s a great way to meet other people who run at around the same pace as you!

7. TAKE A HIKE

The Ottawa-Gatineau region has so many wonderful places to get outside in nature! Meg, from Adventure Report, is a great resource for recommending trails in the Ottawa and surrounding area. Use her trail finder to locate a trail that you’d like to try and learn more about the trail on her blog, before heading out. Her trail reviews are very comprehensive!

There are some wonderful ways to stay active in Ottawa during the summer months! It’s a beautiful city to explore and we hope you enjoy many of the things that we do! Happy Summer!

If you’re looking for an online fitness program, check out FITMOM’s content library of pre-recorded workouts. They’ll get you sweating even more in the summer heat, but the best part is that you can do them at a time that suits you best!