Stay Fit with 8 Unique Summer Activities in SW Florida

Perhaps you work out to your own drumbeat and enjoy sports that aren't typical for Southwest Florida. Or maybe you want to change routine in your pursuit of fitness.

Living in Fort Myers and Estero offers plenty of opportunities for relaxing and getting in shape with unique summer activities. Here are some suggestions from A to Z.

Archery

Beginner to advanced archery instruction for students ages 4 to 74 is available through Archery Up at various certified locations in Fort Myers.

Youth archery lessons are also sponsored by the Lee County Sheriff's Office Youth Activities League in Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral and LeHigh Acres.

Badminton

Here's good news for those who love the gentle racket game of badminton: The Florida Badminton Association lists public recreation centers in Estero and three Fort Myers locations where you can play. 

Cricket

Lots of Floridians are expatriates of nations where cricket is a popular sport. Here's an article about the game's growing popularity here. Two cricket teams -- SW Cricket and the LeHigh Cricket Club --  play at Veterans' Park in LeHigh. The South Florida Softball Cricket League provides contact and game schedule information.

Fencing

En garde! The Southwest Florida Fencing Academy offers beginner lessons, workshops for advanced devotees and tournaments. It's located at 4210 Fowler Street, Fort Myers.

Côte du Golfe School of Fencing also offers instruction for Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers and Naples. CGSF notes that aside from being good for general fitness and kinesthetic awareness, fencing builds "responsibility, respect, and self-confidence."

Canoeing and Kayaking

The Great Calusa Blueway is nearly 200 miles of canoeing and kayaking heaven just inland from the Fort Myer's coast. It has marked waterway trails appropriate for beginners as well as experienced paddlers. For information contact Lee County Parks and Recreation.  

Line Dancing

Feet are constantly tapping and gliding in Fort Myers, Estero and surrounding communities where many kinds of dancing -- from hip hop to square dancing -- are favorite pastimes. Nightclub line dancing is the big draw at The Ranch, 2158 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers. Need lessons? Here's the contact information.

Pickleball

Pickle Ball -- a hybrid of badminton, ping pong and tennis -- is oddball. But it's sweeping the nation's recreation centers and is particularly popular with people over age 50. Contact Lee County Parks and Recreation for information about free pickleball clinics.

Running on the Beach

Tired of hitting the pavement for your daily jog? Get a better workout that is more physically demanding but gentler on the joints by running on the beach. Justin Paprocki of Gulfshore Life offers some tips. You may be able to find a beach running group through Running Friends of SWFL.

Yoga - Anti-Gravity Style

Whether you call it anti-gravity or aerial yoga, this unusual combination of acrobatics and yoga (performed in strong cloth hammocks) is said to make you feel like you are floating. It's one of the offerings at Yaysoyoga, 17433 Alico Center Road, Unit 3, in Fort Myers.

Zumba

Zumba is choreographed aerobics with a Latin flair. It combines cha-cha, flamenco, merengue and rumba moves along with stick work to strengthen arms. People who zumba in the Fort Meyers area say it adds zest and vigor to their lives.

On the Move at Spring Apartments

Perhaps you are considering living in Estero or Fort Myers year-round or seasonally. If you want an affordable yet luxurious apartment close to opportunities for fun and fitness, please contact our Gulf Coast (Estero) and Six Mile Cypress (Fort Myers) apartment communities. Enjoy an active life at Springs Apartments.

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summer activites