The sky is bright blue, the sun is shining, and the air is clear. A picturesque day can motivate almost anyone to take advantage of it and get in a great workout—whether it's hiking through the local park or biking the local trail. Try these ideas for making the most of the great outdoors this summer:

First Things First
When you exercise outdoors, you don't have the convenience of a climate-controlled environment. In the summer it can get hot—very hot. And if you exercise when it's too hot, you could suffer from heat-related illnesses. To prevent any suffering, make sure to follow these steps:

• Check the local forecast before you start your workout to make sure it's not going to be too warm to participate in the activity of your choice.
• Try exercising in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are lower, and dress appropriately.
• While working out, make sure to keep hydrated and stop exercising if you start to feel ill.
• Slather on the sunscreen to block out the sun's harmful UV rays.

Now that you know how to protect yourself from heat-related illnesses, it's time to get to the fun stuff. Here are some activities you can do while taking advantage of the great summer weather:

Go for a Dip
Summertime and swimming go hand in hand. Don't have a swimming pool? Check out local community pools or consider joining a swim club for the summer. And remember, exercise in the pool doesn't always have to mean laps—check out water aerobics classes for a change of pace.

Join a League
Many local communities have organized sports leagues you can join to get exercise, make friends, and simply play outside. Oftentimes the leagues offer all sorts of activities—everything from kickball to softball on coed and gender-specific teams.

Take a Hike (or a Walk)
Lace up your best pair of sneakers for a jaunt around the neighborhood with your family. Walking is one of the easiest ways to get some exercise, is economical, and can be done practically anytime and anywhere. Keep it interesting by heading to the local park from time to time to hit up the hiking trails—most parks offer trails from "beginner" to "expert." Take along the kids and make it a "nature" walk or hike by pointing out the different types of trees, flowers, and insects you encounter along the way.

Get Ready to Roll
In-line skating is another fun summertime activity—and relatively inexpensive. All you need is the right equipment and a smooth, flat surface, and off you go! Proper safety gear (helmet, knee/elbow pads, etc.) is crucial when partaking in the sport, as is learning how to properly start and stop while on skates. If you are unsure about the how-tos of in-line skating, check with a professional first.

Please remember to check with your family physician before starting these or any other exercise routines—summertime or any time.