What type of workout could you get on a standup paddleboard? Does Frisbee golf have the same type of athletic benefits as golf? This summer, Minnesota Hockey challenges you to find out the answers and try them for yourself with our Minnesota Hockey Summer Challenge.

We’ve compiled 10 unique ways for you to get a great summer workout in before hockey season starts. The goal is to test your limits and to try new things, all while training different areas of your body.

Take the Minnesota Hockey Summer Challenge and see how much you can improve before next season.

Playground Training: Local parks are like your own personal gym – only a lot more fun. Monkey bars help improve your arm strength and grip, while balance beams work your legs and core. Even swing sets get your legs and core working together while you soar through the air.
Challenge: Next time you hit the monkey bars, try doing five pull-ups on each bar and see if you can still make it all the way across.  Can’t find monkey bars? Use a pull-up bar to try a flexed arm hang for one full minute.

Relay Race: Just like creativity is key to generating offense on the ice, it can make your summer that much more enjoyable.  Grab your buddies and create a backyard competition. Include tests like crabwalk, backwards run or cartwheels. The wide variety of activity not only gets you moving, but works different parts of your body from head to toe.
Challenge: Construct a relay course with 10 or more events in it. Time each of your buddies to see who’s the fastest. Then, run through the track again at the end of the summer to see how much you’ve improved.

Rollerblade or Bike: Hit the pavement, trails and sidewalks for an adventure. Head to your friend’s house, up to the ball fields or even to your favorite local ice cream stop. Explore your neighborhood and rollerblade or bike down a new trail each week to keep it interesting. If you opt for the blades, it’s the perfect way to work on your stride and both will help you improve leg strength and balance.
Challenge: Roller blade for 60 minutes without stopping and see how far you can go.  

Ultimate Frisbee: Need help with your speed and/or hand-eye coordination? Ultimate Frisbee is the perfect solution. A full-body workout, the quick movements down the field get your heart pumping while throwing and catching the Frisbee helps improve your hand-eye coordination and works your triceps and grip.
Challenge: Play a one-hour long game with your friends. Make it even more interesting with an open-boundary concept and see where the game takes you – literally.

Swimmer’s Strength: Swimming is the ultimate upper-body workout. Shoulders, chest, back and biceps all become stronger with each swim stroke. Exercise your legs by treading water (if you’re comfortable enough to do so) or even simply run out to the deep end.
Challenge: Swim home from your local beach or favorite fishing spot. As you get tired, try using different strokes for a variation of muscle movement.

Capture the Flag: Summer is all about simplicity and fun. Capture the flag is the perfect blend of the two. All you need are two teams, cones and an open field or yard to play. It’s a game full of cardio and speed, so you’re sure to break a sweat.
Challenge: Simulate the Stanley Cup playoffs and play a best of seven series through the weekend. The winning team can celebrate with a makeshift Stanley Cup trophy. If you want to make it even tougher, expand the length and distance of the field – make the run for the flag count.

On the Lake: Boating and lakes are what Minnesota summers are all about. Take advantage of the opportunity to get a good workout in, too. Whether you wakeboard, waterski or even inner tube, your upper arm strength, grip and core are used as you pull and hold yourself behind the boat. Once up, let your balance and legs do the work.
Challenge: No matter which water activity you choose, spend at least 60 minutes working out on the water. Bonus challenge, if you’re used to waterskiing, drop one ski and see how you balance out.

Standup Paddleboard: Another full-body workout on the lake, standup paddleboarding may look simple, but it’s more of a challenge than it appears. Balancing on the board requires strength from your core and legs, while your arms are working to push you out on the water.
Challenge: Paddle away from shore for 15 minutes, perform yoga on your board for 30 minutes, and then paddle home. It’s an excellent combination between the two workouts, and a lot of fun.

Kayak/Canoe Trip: Give the motor a rest let your arms be the machine. The constant moving motion will work your shoulders and biceps as you maneuver the river or lake. Feel your core and chest strengthen with each paddle, too.
Challenge: Kayak/Canoe for one hour. You’ll be able to explore new places along the way and work up a sweat all in one.

Frisbee Golf/Frolf: A fast growing sport, Frisbee golf has you working on your cardio and arm strength as you try to land the Frisbee in the basket. Walking and sometimes even hiking the course will get your cardio in for the day.
Challenge: Frolf for 60 minutes at your favorite course. On each throw, mix up the way you’re throwing. Get ideas for different techniques here.
 

BONUS CHALLENGE: Spend 60 minutes each day playing any other organized sport besides hockey. There are plenty of options available. Hit the links with your golf clubs or head to the beach and play volleyball; no matter what it is, the important part is to have some fun while staying active and enjoying the warm weather!

Have a challenge for the Minnesota Hockey community? Share it with us at @MinnHockey.