How to Stay Active During a Phoenix Summer without a Treadmill

The Phoenix summer is famous for being just a ‘tad’ bit hotter than the national average. Temperatures can even reach over 110 degrees. While many choose to beat the heat by staying indoors, you don’t have to be sedentary during the summer. There are plenty of fantastic ways for you to spend your time outside, especially if you’re the type of person who needs something a bit more mentally engaging than a treadmill to have a great workout. As a vibrant city that’s located in the middle of some of America’s most beautiful natural environments, you’ll never run out of things to do outside during the summer.

Phoenix Summer Activities

If there’s one thing Phoenix is never short on, it’s things to do outside. The city not only has a number of great spots to visit, but it also provides to its residents a fantastic collection of parks, pools, golf courses, and other outdoor amenities. While the heat might intimidate you a bit, you’ll get the most out of your summer if you take time to consider some of the activities described below.

Note: If you’re going to do anything outdoors, please remember to error on the side of caution and bring plenty of water and sunscreen. As with everything in the Valley during the hot months, if you’re going to do anything outside, do it before 11am or after 6pm.

Hit the Links

If you’re looking for a great way to get out and enjoy nature, why not undertake what has been lovingly referred to by author Mark Twain as “a good walk spoiled”. Golf is absolutely one of the leading pastimes in Arizona, both in the summer and during the rest of the year. You’ll absolutely find no better way to commune with nature and your own competitive spirit at the same time than by visiting one of the fine golf courses that the Grand Canyon State has to offer.

As a tip, you’ll probably want to grab a tee time that’s either early in the day or towards the evening. While the courses are lovely, the heat can be tiring for those who haven’t grown up dealing with such a climate. Mid-day isn’t always great for golf, but for those who can brave the heat it can be a great time to have much of the course to yourself. Also, many golf courses offer carts that either have air conditioning coolers or built in misting systems. Golfing midday isn’t for everyone, but it can be done as long as temps don’t reach above 105 degrees.

Explore Nature

If you want to get the most out of the Phoenix summer, you’re definitely going to want to step outside. Getting out into nature is one of the best parts of living in Phoenix, and the host of outdoor summer activities will absolutely astound you. There are plenty of options out there for those who want to really get into the thick of things, but there are also plenty of choices for those who just want a quiet chance to commune with nature while keeping themselves active.

If you’re looking to take it slow, visiting local trails and parks can be a great way to stay active. Parks allow individuals a chance to experience nature at their own speed, whether through sedate walks or marathon-training runs. Yoga and wellness classes can be held in park areas, which is ideal for those who want to exercise and enjoy nature in a group setting. Outdoor trail parks are not only a great place to get in your daily walks for exercise but can be the perfect place to socialize by joining a group of friends for an early morning or late afternoon walk.

Of course, you can also go with activities that are sure to get your blood pumping. The landscape in Phoenix lends itself to high-octane activities, and most of what you might want to experience will only be a short drive away. Phoenix is close enough to the Salt River and man-made lakes such as Lake Pleasant, Saguaro, and Apache, that you can go kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skiing or one of dozens of other water-based Phoenix summer activities.

Lake Pleasant, which is a 15 minute drive from Vistancia.

Get in the Water

Perhaps the best way to stay in shape and beat the heat at the same time is to spend some time in the pool. Even if your own home doesn’t have pool access, there are plenty of neighborhoods, communities, and even towns that have pools you can visit. Not only can these locations be a fantastic way for you to get some exercise outside, but they’ll help to cool you off without the aid of air conditioning.

If you’re looking simply for exercise, community pools are perhaps the best way to go. There are plenty of gyms and clubs in the Phoenix area that will give you access to a great pool for a nominal fee. Not only will you have access to the water, but you may also be able to attend a number of water-based fitness classes that will help you to stay in shape. This can be one of the best ways to really push yourself without having to deal with the high heat that is common during Arizona summers.

If you’re looking for outdoor activity that’s a bit more fun, you can also visit Wet and Wild in North Phoenix. This water park has a great variety of pools and slides, allowing you to work off some energy while having fun. While there’s nothing at the park that will allow you to participate in a strict exercise routine, it will allow you to be far more active than if you were sitting on the couch. Consider taking a day to visit the water park if you’re just looking for a bit of mental stimulation in the heat of the summer.

There’s more options than you think

Phoenix’s summer months don’t have to keep you inside. If you want to stay active and happy, push yourself to try some of the activities available. As a resident of Vistancia, you will have access to a fantastic public golf course at The Trilogy, as well as the Discovery Trail and many parks. And don’t forget, you’re no more than a 90 minute commute to cooler climates in Northern Arizona in cities such as Prescott and Flagstaff. So if you’re looking for to make your move to Arizona, know that although the summers can be hot there is always ways you still stay active during the summer months. And if you’re looking for a new home, whether moving from out of state or as a longtime Arizona resident, we’d love for you to visit the Vistancia Information Center. By doing so, you can learn more about the Vistancia community, receive a community map and overview, and even tour our builder models.