As an active person, you’re probably very familiar with short-term fitness goals, such as trying to fit in your favorite dress for an upcoming wedding, building enough stamina to run that 10K next month, or getting fit just in time for the summer!
If you have plans for this summertime, chances are that you’re probably working twice as hard at the gym to get in shape before you leave for the beach or go on that trip that you’ve been planning for a few months now. And even if you don’t have any specific plans, this is the perfect time to get serious with your fitness goals.
We’re here to help you achieve your fitness goals just in time for the summer with a few tips that will make your journey easier and more effective, so you can feel good, confident, and full of energy in no time!
Plan for everything
If you’re serious about getting in shape before the summer, just having a ton of motivation won’t do. You need to create a realistic but effective workout plan that you can stick to for the following weeks to make sure that you achieve your goals.
Depending on your specific goal, your fitness plan will look different. If you want to lose some weight before the summer, you might want to prioritize HIIT training and aerobic exercise that gets your heart pumping. If your goal is to build more muscle mass, then you need to focus on full-body strength training exercises for your muscles.
And an effective fitness plan doesn’t stop there! You also need to have a meal plan that complements your fitness efforts. Make sure to eat tons of protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats to support your body and help it recover faster after each workout. Remember, if you want results, you need to plan accordingly!
Change your fitness approach
If you’ve been working on your body for a while now and don’t feel like you’re actually getting where you want to be, you might want to change your approach and the way you train. This means trying out new things during your workouts, such as switching up your exercises or trying a different training style.
For example, you could try supersets or pyramid sets instead of doing regular straight sets. Supersets involve performing two exercises back to back with little to no rest in between, and pyramid sets change the number of reps and amount of weight you use on each set. This keeps your training dynamic and your muscles active, so give it a try!
Track your progress
One of the best ways to make sure that you stick to your goals and achieve them before summer begins is by tracking all your progress. This means writing down everything that you do during your fitness journey, from the number of sets and reps you do every day and how much weight you lift to the foods that you eat daily.
Keeping track of your progress also means writing down all the changes that you go through so you can see your progress more clearly, such as how many pounds you’ve lost or how much your muscles have grown. Pretty much every detail that you can think of that would help you better visualize your journey and stay motivated!
Drink lots of water
This should be a given, but you’ll want to stay properly hydrated throughout your fitness journey for the summer if you’re serious about getting in shape on time. Water is refreshing and can help you regulate your appetite, but that’s not the only thing it’s good for!
Because you’ll be working extra hard to reach your goals, you need enough water to support your body and help it recover after every workout. You lose electrolytes through sweat, which you need to regulate muscle function and your nervous system as well as flush out toxins that promote muscle cramps and soreness. So stay hydrated!
Keep an active lifestyle
Staying committed to your workout routine and trying your best not to miss any training day will surely put you on the right path toward your summer goals, whether you want to burn body fat or build lean muscle tissue, but keeping an active lifestyle is much more than just working out at the gym!
Avoid simply sitting around at home when you’re not working out and engage in activities that keep your muscles active to help you support your fitness goals. You can choose to take the stairs instead of the elevator or offer to walk the family dog every night. Little things like these will keep you active without overworking your muscles!
Find a workout buddy
Everything’s easier when you have company, especially if you’re both working toward a common goal. A workout buddy could be a friend, a family member, or even just a neighbor that wants to get in shape too!
You can share fitness tips with your workout buddy, drive each other to the gym or the park for an outdoor workout session, and keep each other accountable throughout your journey. This way, you’ll be more likely to stick with your routine and goals so you can get fit for summer as soon as possible!
Upgrade your fitness gear
Last but not definitely not least, you can increase your motivation at the gym by getting new fitness gear to work out with! Whether it’s a cute new lifting belt with a pair of lifting straps to match, having brand-new gear can help you stay motivated and go even harder at the gym.
You can find everything you need and more at UPPPER Fitness Gear! Everything in our collection is made from high-quality and comfortable material to help support you during your toughest workouts. Plus, all of our gear comes in a variety of different colors and styles, so you can hit PRs in style!