By: Kaitlyn Garcia, Contributing Blogger
Blame it on the sunshine, beach trips, or more time outdoors—summer is here, and with it comes new motivation to get in shape. Around this time, you’ll see plenty of fitness programs promising to help you get an ideal “beach body.” Instead, I encourage you to ask yourself: What kind of fitness routine will help you feel summertime fine?
Summertime fine is about more than how your body looks; it’s about maintaining an active lifestyle that helps you feel strong, energized, and confident. If you’re looking for a seasonal fitness routine to help you feel this way, look no further. In this post, I’ll show you how to create the perfect workout routine for you this summer so that you can look and feel your best.
Staying consistent while working out in the summer comes with two main challenges: hot weather and traveling, which can interrupt your routine. That's why it's important to build a summer workout routine that's customized to your current lifestyle. If you follow the steps below, you'll have built a summer workout plan that will help you crush your fitness goals and head into fall feeling stronger and more confident than ever.
And if you’re a fitness beginner, have no worries. This post will have plenty of tips and tricks for you as well.
Step 1: Set Your Fitness Goals
For real results, you need real focus. This is where setting realistic and motivating goals comes in. However, if you’re new to this, you may be asking: How do I set fitness goals this summer that I actually stick to?
There are two kinds of fitness goals: internal goals and progress-based goals. This summer, I recommend you set one of each.
Internal Goals
Internal goals are important because they help you learn to love the journey of working out instead of just the end result. Some examples of internal goals are:
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By the end of this summer, I want to feel stronger
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This August, I want to become someone who loves working out
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This season, I want to have more energy
These goals are subjective and unmeasurable; however, they will help you when actual progress seems slow. Remember that results in fitness are achieved in months and years, not days and weeks. Therefore, it’s important to have goals that make you love where you’re at in your journey today.
Progress-Based Goals
Progress-based goals are the goals you’re probably more familiar with. Examples include:
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Be able to run a 5K
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Deadlift 100 pounds
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Walk 1 hour a day all summer long
Make sure your progress-based goals are specific and measurable with a deadline. Instead of a goal like “I want to lose weight,” try “I want to lose 10 pounds by the end of August.” See the difference?
Step 2: Choose The Best Workouts For Your Fitness Goals
Once you have your goals in mind, it’s time to pick the kind of workouts you’ll do to get there. Choose wisely. Not all fitness programs are created equal. A summer spent doing pilates and yoga will yield vastly different results than a summer spent lifting weights.
To decide which workouts are right for you, ask yourself two questions:
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What kind of workout will help me achieve my goals fastest?
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What kind of workouts are accessible for me to do this summer?
You can choose a combination of workouts to help keep it interesting. For example, if you want to run a 5K this summer, perhaps you want to run three times a week and lift weights twice a week.
Keep your travel plans in mind when choosing a workout program. If you’re going to be jet-setting all summer, choose workouts that you can do on the go.
Step 3: Build A Weekly Summer Workout Schedule That Works
Now that you know what kind of workouts you’ll be doing, you need to decide the frequency and time you’re going to work out. Once again, be very specific. Instead of “run and do yoga,” try “I will run three times a week and go to yoga class twice a week.” To ensure success, pick the times you’re going to work out at the beginning of each week and write them in your calendar.
Keep in mind that if your workout requires you to be outside, such as walking or running, you're going to want to stick to the early morning or later afternoon to beat the heat. And once again, remain flexible! Don’t let one missed workout throw off the entire week. Even if things don’t go according to plan, keep going!
Step 4: Find A Workout Partner That Helps You Stay On Track With Your Workout Routine
Let's be honest. Everything is way more fun when you have a friend by your side! This includes fitness too. If you want to be extra sure that you reach your summer workout goals, ask a friend to be your accountability partner. Ideally, choose someone who has similar fitness goals.
No workout partner? No problem! There are plenty of ways to stay accountable to your summer fitness routine. You can find community through group fitness classes or even online fitness groups. Keep an eye out in your town for local fitness events, such as run clubs or walking meetup groups. And don’t be nervous to show up by yourself—many people at these groups are going to meet people, just like you!
Step 5: Beat the Heat and Choose Sweat-Friendly Workout Gear
The right summer workout routine won’t feel good if you have the wrong gear. Whatever workouts you’re doing, make sure you’re in comfortable, weather-appropriate apparel. Choose clothing with quick-drying material to help with excess sweat, such as these Always In Motion 7/8 Leggings. Bonus points if they’re squat-proof (which these are)!
And there's no reason your workout clothes can't be functional and fashionable. Grab yourself a matching set and start feeling summertime fine!
Now, you’ve got your goals, game plan, and gear. Get out there and make this your most active summer yet!
