Working out in the summer?! As if you aren't hot enough already! Done wrong, your summer sweat sessions can feel like pure dehydrating torture. Done right, you can find a seasonal activity that feels more like fun than fitness[1] .


Which is a good reason to take your workout to the pool (or the ocean or lake) this summer. You'll stay (relatively) cool while you break a sweat and burn major calories -- all while feeling like a splish-splashing kid again.


Here are some of our favorite water workouts (no lap swimming necessary!) and how much you can expect to burn. What's your favorite water workout? Tell us in the comments!


Note: All calorie counts are estimates based on a 150-pound person, and will vary with intensity, body composition and weight.



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  • Surfing


    If your summer brings you somewhere with waves to ride, you could <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/exercise/lookup" target="_blank">burn about 100 calories per 30 minutes</a> of hanging ten.




  • Canoeing


    Rent a boat, grab a couple of buds and paddle away. Put in a "moderate" effort for 30 minutes and you can burn nearly 240 calories. Make a day of it with a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/12/healthy-picnic-reipes_n_3575346.html" target="_blank">healthy picnic</a>.




  • Kayaking


    If you'd rather paddle solo, try a kayak. Half an hour can burn 170 calories.




  • Stand Up Paddleboard


    A summer trend worth trying, this sculpting workout could torch <a href="http://www.shape.com/fitness/extreme-fitness-how-many-calories-did-you-burn?page=4" target="_blank">500 to 700 calories an hour</a>, according to Shape.com. With all that balance required, you'll be <a href="http://www.self.com/fitness/workouts/2012/08/stand-up-paddleboard-workout-slideshow#slide=1" target="_blank">working ab, arm and leg muscles</a> like crazy.




  • Water Jogging


    Since water provides some serious resistance, a little jog in the pool can mean big burn. Thirty minutes can torch 272 calories -- plus, it's <a href="http://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2010/04/water_running_offers_benefits.html" target="_blank">gentler on your joints</a> than running on land!




  • Water Aerobics


    Don't underestimate the power of a little underwater jazzercise. Hit the pool for some calisthenics and you could shed 136 calories in 30 minutes.




  • Aqua Zumba


    Or, give that aerobics class a Latin twist with an <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/meredith-melnick/we-tried-it-aqua-zumba_b_2006372.html" target="_blank">Aqua Zumba</a> class. You'll have all the fun of a typical Zumba workout with <a href="http://www.zumba.com/en-US/party/#classes/class-aqua-zumba" target="_blank">less impact and extra resistance</a> -- and you <a href="http://www.shape.com/fitness/cardio/8-low-impact-workouts-still-burn-major-calories?page=3" target="_blank">could burn 700 calories an hour</a> while you're at it, according to Shape.com.




  • Water Skiing


    In just 15 minutes of trying to stay up on that board you can <a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/calories_burned.asp" target="_blank">shed 99 calories</a> -- and work abs and arms to boot.




  • Water Polo


    Water polo seems to have gained some serious street cred when the world realized <a href="http://www.mensfitness.com/training/endurance/train-like-an-olympic-water-polo-player" target="_blank">how grueling this game can actually be</a> during the 2012 London Olympics. The numbers back up the hype -- play for 45 minutes and you could burn 510 calories.