Before you do any kind of muscle conditioning, warm up with at least five minutes of cardio exercise, such as walking, running or cycling. Then make your way to a park and try these four muscle-toning moves. Try combining these exercises with a variety of cardio workouts. By mixing up your routine, you'll be less likely to get bored with exercising so you'll stay motivated all summer long. Remember to stretch your muscles afterwards, holding each stretch for at least 30 seconds.
For your arms: stand behind a bench with your hands on the backrest positioned a little wider than shoulder width apart. Keep your abdominals contracted and your back in its neutral position, with just a slight arch. Now slowly lower your chest toward the bench and then return to the starting position. When you're a beginner, you may want to take a break between repetitions. Do eight to 20 reps. For your legs: face the bench with one foot on the seat. Keep your knee facing forward and your weight distributed evenly on all four corners of your foot. Slowly step up extending the supporting knee into a fully upright, balanced position. Slowly lower yourself back down to the starting position. Perform eight to 20 reps for each leg. For your back and arms: hold on firmly to the bars just above your head with your hands positioned about shoulder width apart. Pull your body upward, while pushing up with your legs. (If you're short, you may need to jump up slightly to reach the monkey bars.) Stop when your chin clears the bar. Slowly return to the starting position. Don't lock your elbows. Try to focus on pulling with the muscles in your back rather than your arms. Perform five to 15 reps. For your legs and rear end: stand about one foot away from the pole, holding on to it with both arms almost perfectly straight. Stand on one leg and slowly lower your body weight back and down. Keep your front knee over the top of your ankle and push your hips back as if you were sitting down into a chair. Lower to a 90-degree angle or to a comfortable position. Use your leg muscles to push you back up to the starting position. Perform eight to 20 reps each leg.Subscribe to our newsletters for our very best stories, recipes, style and shopping tips, horoscopes and special offers.