Navigating training during the summer months
Summer is such a precious time, especially here in the far north. It often seems like we have a million things to do as we try to pack in so much during such a short season! We often have a lot of graduation parties, weddings, get togethers with friends, vacations and weekends away, etc. It can make sticking to your normal routine a little challenging and stressful.
So today let’s cover some ways that we can still make it happen and common issues we see….
#1 Missing workouts
Do you actually need to skip the workout completely or are you just short on time? Shortening your workout to get something in is better than nothing! Can you shorten your warm-up? Can you condense your lifts to minimize rest periods? Can you superset some of your movements to minimize your overall time in the gym? If you will be out of town, can you combine a couple of your workout days? Or can you find a new activity while you are gone, that is fun and you can enjoy being active?
If you find that you are skipping workouts frequently or more than once a week, then be sure to alternate what lifts you have to miss. That way you aren’t consistently missing a certain set of movement patterns and muscle groups! Also, recheck your priorities and what is doable with your current schedule. Maybe 4 days a week will work better for your current season of life. Use this time to recover, find a new activity and fun outside of the gym!
#2 Modify based off equipment
It is so easy to call it quits when the workout is not the way that you want it to be or expect, especially if you are training for a specific purpose. Remember to have fun and you can still get work in, even if it is done a little differently. Find ways to mimic your movement patterns in a different way. Maybe you need to add tempo if you don’t have enough weight. Or use dumbbells or odd objects if you don’t have a barbell. Remember to have fun with it, and training in a different way may teach you something or benefit you in a different way then your normal training patterns.
Mindset shifts to consider:
Busy times are the BEST time to follow a plan or have a coach in your corner because it keeps you accountable, takes out decision fatigue and allows you to focus on just getting the work in.
What is your overall goal? Are you wanting to build, lose weight, feel good? Your expectation will drive your reaction to the goals and results that happen.
