Fitness Shouldn't Take a Summer Vacation

By Raquel "Rocky" Herron, Fitness Manager

	Raquel "Rocky" Herron, Fitness Manager

Summer, is that you?  That fabulous season known as summer is just around the corner and as great as summer is, it may spell disaster for your fitness efforts. 

What am I talking about you ask?  Let me explain.  With summer comes baseball games, BBQ's and generally much more time spent outdoors and less time wanting to be indoors, especially for those who are indoors all day behind a desk.  Summer means family vacations, trips to the pool, and short weekend getaways.  These are all great and I encourage you to live summer life to the fullest, but please don't forget about your sweat sessions!  I'm going to give you some tips on how to make sure your fitness goals don't get left behind this summer.

 

Commit.  While I understand you'll be busy this summer, commit to at least two exercise sessions per week this summer.  Whether that means BODYPUMP on Tuesdays and Thursdays with yours truly or two early morning sessions before work (can you say 5am?), then do it!  Instead of saying, "if I can get there," say, "I'll be there."  This may mean an accountability partner.  Drag your best friend to class if you have to!  Make each other accountable to one another and stay on the fitness wagon together!  If you happen to be traveling, seek out a hotel gym or do a body-weight circuit right in your hotel room or campsite.

Take it outside!  If you're someone who can't stand the thought of being stuck inside a gym during summer months, then take all or part of your workout outside.  Option one:  Run or walk to Pearce (assuming you live fairly close), strength train, then run or walk home.  It's the best of both worlds.  You get an entire workout done and you get to enjoy the great outdoors for at least half of the workout.  

Option two: Head over to our outdoor fitness equipment here at Pearce and utilize it for a workout.  You can do your entire workout outdoors.  This same idea can apply to the local parks as well.  If you're a mom to a small child, for example, utilize a jogging stroller and visit Santa Fe Park to use the walking path.  Stop every lap and do pushups, squats, lunges and sit-ups to make it a complete workout!  Walk the dog, ride bikes, or play kickball with the kids.  Workouts can be done anywhere!

If you need a little more encouragement, pick a fitness-related event you'd like to do this summer, whether it's our Run For The Health Of It in July, Steamboat, or even a Tough Mudder. Knowing you have an event to train for will give you a little boost to stay committed to your training.  Encourage your significant other to join you as well.  You could also pick a vacation where you know there'll be physical activity, such as hiking, trail riding, or kayaking.  Even a trip to the beach can include physical activity, such as jogging in the sand, Frisbee, and of course, swimming! 

 

Summer is a wonderful time of year filled with fun and sunshine, but it can also mean we're less committed to staying fit.  Don't let your workouts suffer, but rather, find creative ways to sneak them in.  Whether you're getting up a little early, taking normal indoor workouts to the outdoors, or finding "fit vacations," make sure you keep moving this summer.  If you need any help, come see me and I'll help you create a summer filled with workout fun!  Stay strong, stay focused, and enjoy life!