Since Tuesday marked the first official day of summer, why not kick of your summer with outdoor exercises!

Outdoor exercises can burn more calories than indoor exercises as long as they are done right. First your body has to adjust its core temperature due to the exposure to hot or cold atmospheres. This alone burns calories.

Outdoor activities also burn more calories due to the difference in the terrain and the resistance felt from the wind. This article will give you three outdoor exercise ideas to get your fill this summer.

• The first outdoor activity is the most popular: sports. Join an outdoor sports league or head out to the courts for a game of basketball or even a game of doubles with friends or family.

Whatever fun sport you choose, make sure you keep moving and you’ll be sure to have a good workout. Remember to bring water and keep yourself hydrated.

• ​The next outdoor activity that is not only healthy but also productive is yard work. This is not always on the top of everyone’s list for the weekends; however, it's a great way to build muscle.

Workouts can be accomplished by choosing not to rely on tools that make yard work easier. For example, try lifting rocks or mulch bags, simulating a modified deadlift, instead of using a wheelbarrow.

​• Lastly, take advantage of the heat and cool off at a nearby pool or lake. Swimming is an amazing exercise that has low joint impact due to the resistance of water.

Tread water, or do some laps that raise your heart rate. Kayaks, canoes and paddleboats also provide great arm workouts.

​What ever outdoors exercise you choose, make sure to take advantage of the opportunity for some fresh air.

Explore the outdoors through parks and nature centers. Take trips to big and small cities by wandering around on foot or bringing your bikes.

Now that it is officially summer, there isn’t an excuse not to head outdoors; you may not even realize you are getting your workout in!

Melissa Gerharter MS, R.D., is co-owner of Joust Strength and Fitness of Ann Arbor, joustfitness.com. She is also a personal trainer and an adjunct lecturer at Eastern Michigan University. She can be reached at Melissa@joustfitness.com.