Summer is a dangerous time. Let’s face it, you know you should be in the gym, getting in shape and working on dropping that annoying winter weight. Unfortunately, it’s a bit harder to stay focused on fitness when the beaches and bars are calling your name. But don’t you worry, there’s still hope. In fact, you can easily have a fit, healthy summer by following these simple tips. Get ready to have a great summer!
Get a Gym Partner
Working out can sometimes be exhausting, challenging and uncomfortable. Even the strongest people will eventually start to have second thoughts about their training.
You don’t have to suffer alone! This summer, find someone that wants to go to the gym with you. In my experience, I’ve found that training with someone who matches your fitness level is usually the best call. The best part here? Their success motivates you.
If you come in one day, ready to just go through the motions for 45 minutes, you’re in serious jeopardy of wasting your time. Now imagine this: your training partner comes in with high energy, ready to make this workout look easy. If you’re as competitive as I am, you’ll want to keep up with them. Anything they can do, you can do!
But what if you don’t have anyone at your fitness level? Get a gym partner anyway. If they’re in better shape than you, you’ll have someone to ask for tips and advice. Plus, they’ll do things so amazing that you’ll be inspired to train harder (trust me on that one).
If they’re a bit below your fitness level, not to worry. You can be by their side and help them develop. Plus, your confidence will go through the roof once you realize how much progress you’ve made (remember when you couldn’t go 15 minutes on the treadmill either?).
No matter who you choose, you’ll find that a gym partner is a great source of inspiration, advice, and just fun to have around!
Focus on Small Victories
People quit training all the time. Even people who have trained for years will slowly stop going to the gym. But why? The fact of the matter is, people have no goals.
More specifically, they don’t have any milestones that let them know they’ve succeeded. If the only reason you train is to have ‘toned arms’, you’re setting yourself up for disaster. Setting achievable, realistic goals is one of the best ways to stay on track, summer or not.
Instead of working out to ‘get in shape’, start setting clear goals. In 1 month, I want to be able to squat 135 pounds for reps. In 2 months, I want to be able to run at a moderate pace for 5 minutes. Even something as small as being able to squat the bar is enough, if you’re a beginner.
Once you reach your goal: celebrate! You worked hard and you’ve earned the right to be happy. Then, set another goal and get ready to jump right back in. The key here is proving to yourself that you can get results by being disciplined.
Try Something New!
Training is amazing. By setting aside one hour a day, 4 days a week, you can improve your life in so many ways. Mood, sleep and confidence, all made better by just getting up and being active. That being said, after ploughing through the same workout plan for months and months at a time, it’s not uncommon for people to become mind-numbingly bored.
Instead of quitting on training and renouncing yourself to a life of wearing nothing but baggy clothes and eating junk food, try this. If you’ve been weight training your whole life, give Pilates a shot. Not good enough? Give Zumba a try (great way to spend a half hour, no matter who you are).
Honestly, it doesn’t really matter what you do. Go ahead and take a martial arts class, if that’s what you’re into. What matters is that you take advantage of the diversity that exists in the fitness world to get in amazing shape this summer!
Brian Leguizamon is a 20 year old college student/fitness enthusiast/health nut/jack of all trades. Brian fell in love with physical fitness in high school and can't get enough of it these days. Brian has tried his hand at pretty much everything these days: Crossfit, yoga and even martial arts. To this day, Brian still has a love affair with lifting heavy weights.... Read More
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