Top 5 Ways to Stay Fit in Hawaii

Whether you've packed on a few pounds and are looking for a lifestyle change or just simply want some help getting bikini-ready for the beach, Hawaii offers tons of ways to stay active and get in shape. As a bonus, with the trade wind breezes and heaps of sunshine, it's the perfect place to take your workout outdoors. Here's just a few of the ways to work off that plate lunch.

Surfing

Photo Credit:  Hawaiian Fire Surf School

With miles and miles of coastline, Hawaii's warm waters are the perfect spot for taking up the "Sport of Kings" and giving surfing a try. If you're a beginner, you may want to consider signing up for a one or two hour lesson, which typically includes safety and technique instruction on land, then practice on the waves. If you're more advanced, you may opt to rent a board and head out on your own. You can also try body surfing, body boarding, or even stand up paddle surfing!

Hiking

Photo Credit:  Malia Yoshioka

Hawaii's lush green mountains make the perfect backdrop for hiking, and there are well-maintained trails available for hikers of all skill levels. Experienced hikers will rave about the Kalalau Trail on the rugged Na Pali Coast of Kauai. Newbies may prefer a shorter climb to Diamond Head or the Manoa Falls hike on Oahu, which pays off with views of a waterfall. On Maui, you can even hike into the crater of a dormant volcano atop Mt. Haleakala. The Big Island's diverse climate zones present opportunities for rainforest and lava rock hikes, or even a glimpse at ancient petroglyphs along the trails.

Running

It's easy to find paths for running in Hawaii. Well maintained parks are often used for road and trail races, so stop by a local running store to see what events may be coming up. The Honolulu Marathon draws close to 30,000 entrants each December with its scenic route and lack of a cut off time. Yes, the finish line stays open until the last runner has crossed, even if it's 15 hours later! Local running clubs welcome visitors to join in their group runs or races.

Boot Camp

Outdoor and beach boot camps have been gaining popularity in the past year or so, especially on Oahu. For a challenging full-body workout and a chance to meet locals, you can't beat a beach boot camp. Most offer early morning classes and you'll find tons of options for sunset or pau hana classes, especially at Oahu's Ala Moana beach park. Drop ins are usually welcome, provided they have enough space. Sure beats working out at the gym!

Yoga

Photo Credit:  Malia Yoshioka

If you're looking for a more gentle way to stretch and tone your muscles, try a yoga class on the beach or in one of Hawaii's many yoga studios. A sunrise or sunset yoga class is a great way to work out some tension in a picture perfect locale. After a hard day of sight seeing or laying around the beach, it may be just what your body ordered!

Malia Yoshioka is the resident Hawaii expert at WhyGo Hawaii. An avid runner, she's currently training for her fifth Honolulu Marathon this December. For more Hawaii travel tips, follow along on Twitter or Facebook.