6 Tips to Help You Get in Shape for Summer

Are you ready for the summer? The signs are all there: The days are growing longer, and the temperatures are finally rising in anticipation. Yes, summer is on the way.

While that is exciting, it also means it’s time to get in shape for summer so you can wear your favorite summer clothes with confidence. 

Here are six tips to firm up, slim down and gain muscle strength at the same time:

1. Make specific and action-oriented fitness goals. Committing yourself to three, 30-minute workout sessions a week gives you a precise target – far better than a generic commitment to “tone up.” At the same time, be realistic about the time you can designate for exercise. Overreaching can foil your best intentions right from the start. Find a workout class near you to help you stay on track.
   
   

2. Develop a workout regimen you genuinely enjoy. Lifting weights probably isn’t anyone’s first choice of how to spend leisure time – it can be hard work. Instead, use weightlifting to augment an activity that you may enjoy more, such as walking, swimming or tennis. Then weight lifting will likely become part of your lifestyle too.

3. Embrace high-intensity cardio training. This means ending a cardio workout with at least three, 15-second bursts of intense activity, with 30 seconds of rest between each. It will help to really kick up your metabolism.

4. Embrace compound exercises. These types of exercises mean that you work as many muscles as you can with each repetition. Think in terms of pairing a lunge with a bicep curl or a squat with a shoulder press. You’ll raise your heart rate, burn more calories and compound the dividends.

5. Emphasize “rest days” as much as exercise days. Your body needs time to regenerate from a workout, which is why it isn’t wise to couple any more than two high-intensity days in a row. Take a full day off if you feel the need to, and be sure to get a good night’s sleep.

6. Join Prime Fitness. This is one of the most flexible and economical ways to keep your own fitness program on track. With a one-time enrollment fee of $25 and a monthly fee of $25, you can gain access to a network of more than 9,500 fitness locations, including national and regional chains.
   
   

It’s time to start working on your summer fitness program, and Prime is here to help you reach your health and fitness goals. Learn more about Prime and see if you qualify for this cost-effective fitness program.