The Summer Body Workout

As summer approaches, it’s not uncommon to view that bikini or pair of swim trunks with a little bit of dread. Even if you don’t plan to strut along Bondi Beach, you can still achieve a fit, healthy and toned body that gets you through the fun outdoor activities of summer.

Diet will certainly play a role in how you look, and eating the right number of calories for your activity and size will determine weight loss. How that weight looks on you, on the other hand, is based almost entirely on your workouts.

These great suggestions can get your heart rate up, help you look and feel your best this summer, and get you into your favourite warm-weather outfits.

summer body workout

Try HIIT

One of the most effective ways to get beach-body ready, especially if you are in a hurry, is to try HIIT. Short for high-intensity interval training, HIIT is a way to pack a serious workout into just a few minutes. It can take place on the treadmill or just outside your front door, and it consists of shorts bursts of high-intensity exercise.

Rather than just jogging for 20 minutes and burning 200 calories, for example, you might try 10 sets of 60 seconds of sprinting followed by 60 seconds of rest.

The time it takes to complete this is the same, and even the immediate calorie burn might be identical. However, HIIT raises your metabolism to burn more calories throughout the day, netting you greater results without doubling your time in the gym. If you don’t enjoy running, the same principle can apply to the elliptical machine or even a spin bike.

Lift Your Own Body Weight

Resistance training is undoubtedly one of the keys to a fit and healthy body, and both men and women should make an effort to include strength training into their regular routine. A common misconception is that strength training has to include lifting heavy weights in a gym, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

In reality, your own body weight is more than enough to get an incredible workout, build muscle and look your best. Using your body weight in creative ways can be effective, and it reduces your chances of injury. Here are some of the most popular body weight exercises to try on your own, as well as what part of the body they help:

  • Push-Ups: Chest, Back, Shoulders and Core
  • Burpees: Full Body
  • Squats: Quads, Hamstrings and Glutes
  • Planks: Shoulders, Chest, Triceps and Core
  • Sit-Ups: Core

Pick Something That Doesn’t Feel Like Work

What’s that? You don’t love hitting the gym on a daily basis? You’re definitely not alone, but that doesn’t mean you can avoid exercise entirely. It just means that you’ll have to get a little more creative with your routine. One great idea is to pick up roller skating, which has many of the same benefits of running without the joint concerns.

If you prefer to work out at home, invest in a weighted hula hoop and use it during the commercials of your favourite television shows. This can strengthen your core and whittle your waist if you use it often enough. Try new sports like kayaking or even ice-skating to discover what you find truly enjoyable, and you’ll be more likely to stick with it through summer and beyond.

Get An Accountability Partner

If your biggest problem with achieving your summer body each year is doing something consistently enough to see results, then finding someone to hold you accountable might be the key to success.

Enlist a friend or neighbour to workout with you on a regular basis throughout the week, or join an online group that records results. You can even keep an exercise journal where you write down your weekly goals in order to help you stick with it.

Every person is different, which means that customising your approach to a summer body is key. At Compare the Market, you can view an extensive range of tips for fitness that might suit your needs. Whether you begin a HIIT routine three times a week or start ice-skating in conjunction with resistance training, you can see the results you want for a summer of confidence and fun.

Photo Credit By: posh24.com