For many Australians, summer is synonymous with beach holidays, interesting tan lines, and the constant smell of mozzie spray. However, the warmer months also provide the perfect opportunity to try a new sport and get active with your extra free time. For everything from badminton to general fitness, check out a supplier such as HART Sport to fulfil all of your active needs; they stock over 4,000 products so you’re sure to find the gear and equipment you need. Keep reading to find four sports that you should try over the warmer months, but no matter how you choose to stay active, just remember to make sure you stay hydrated and be sun-safe this summer!

Swimming

Freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly… as well as being a widely-loved recreational activity, swimming is an excellent way to exercise because it engages your whole body, building your cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength. It’s a low-impact sport that people of all ages, skills and fitness levels can get into – just pop down to the local pool to start today! Many centres also offer lessons or squad sessions if you want to get help from a professional.

Basketball

Basketball is a sport that can be played casually or seriously, whether you just want to shoot hoops and run around or have an intense half-court game with your friends. A proper game of basketball will have five players from each team on the court at any given time, but the best thing is that you can have as many players as you want – even if it’s just a one-on-one! Or, if there’s extra people, take the opportunity to have a sub on your team and play your hardest before getting a rest. Many parks will have a basketball hoop and half court, or maybe suss out if any sport centres offer the courts to casual players.

Cricket

Everyone loves to watch the cricket over summer, so why not get out and have a bat yourself? This sport has always been an important of our nation’s culture and is a great way to get a little competitive with your friends. Cricket can be played everywhere from the backyard to the local sports field and has rules that can be easily modified to suit all skill levels, so there’s no wondering why it’s become a permanent fixture at barbecues all over the country.

Frisbee

Originating at Amherst College in the 1960s, Ultimate (formerly known as Ultimate Frisbee) has gained popularity and now is played the world over at all different levels. This sport draws on other ball games and involves two teams that pass the Frisbee in order to score a goal by throwing it into the ‘end zone’. Ultimate can be easily set up anywhere, just as long as you have a Frisbee and designated boundary lines, making it a fun activity for friends or families to do together – you’ll be surprised how much running is involved!

How do you plan on staying active this summer? Tell us about your favourite way to exercise in the comments below!