There’s no doubt that summer is the season for feeling our best. The warmer weather, the opportunity to spend more time outdoors, lifts our energy levels. It’s the perfect time to give your fitness a boost. But with the inevitable wave of fitness trends and hacks, all promising to help you build the “perfect holiday body,” how do you separate fact from fiction?
This month, Max and Rachel from Elevate Fitness debunk some of the biggest summer fitness trends, to help you to understand how to build fitness and strength, without getting caught up in the myths and fads.
The quick fix doesn’t exist!
One of the biggest trends we see year on year are the workout programmes that promise to get you “beach body ready” in a few weeks. Whilst this sounds wonderful, and we’d all like to feel our best on holiday, it’s worth looking more carefully at what these programmes involve, because in all honesty; it’s a marathon, not a sprint!
As we tell our clients, building a stronger body and toning your muscles is not a process you can complete in 4 weeks. It can take a year, sometimes more. It requires consistency and commitment to a training programme. You don’t want to hear this. Yet it’s important to be realistic when it comes to fitness. Many of these quick fix programmes rely on making dramatic changes to your diet and lifestyle, which for most of us is not sustainable. Fitness is not simply about shedding weight either. We genuinely believe the best type of beach body is the one where you feel stronger and more confident in yourself.
Will you take the plunge?
One trend we must talk about is the cold plunge – the health and recovery trend that has completely taken over social media. You may have seen articles on the benefits of cold plunges in combination with saunas, open water swimming and even gym workouts. There’s a growing body of research suggesting they are an effective recovery tool.
Whilst we’ve not yet dipped our toes into the ice, cold water plunges have been shown to help reduce muscle inflammation and fatigue, supporting recovery after exercise. Recent research also points to benefits for the nervous system – worth considering if recovery is your priority.
That said, and we cannot stress this enough, we’re not suggesting you jump into the nearest lake! Take cold plunges with care, at specific temperatures and under guidance from a professional who will walk you through the process. We strongly recommend booking a session locally, so you have someone with you. There’s more to it than simply submerging yourself!
Walking is the new running!
Rachel is a very keen runner. According to Strava, the world’s leading running app, people experience a significant boost in endorphins when running, with 89% percent saying a Parkrun lifted their mood. If you’ve never tried one, we recommend popping along one Saturday morning. Parkrun is a fantastic community event whether you’re a speedy runner or prefer the run/walk approach.
However, if you’re more like Max and running is the last thing you want to do, you’ll be pleased to know that swapping a run for a walk is a trend worth following. More people are finding that a simple 30-minute walk boosts their mood and aids concentration. It gives your brain the space to release some of the stress and fatigue that builds up during the day.
One of our favourite things at the weekend is to drive somewhere new and take our time on a longer walk. There’s something so enjoyable about discovering a place you’ve never explored before. If you’re local to Sussex, our top recommendation is Devil’s Dyke.
All the gear and no idea
The summer season sees a surge in fitness gadgets sales. Smartwatches, leggings, and bikes may be used only twice before heading to the charity bag! With the warmer weather making us more motivated, the temptation to splash the cash is real.
We’re not saying that new gym gear or a way to monitor your fitness is a bad thing, far from it. If you’re starting to run, getting properly fitted for trainers is important. If you’re taking up cycling, a decent bike matters. What we’re saying is that expensive gadgets alone won’t build your fitness. Only you can do that!
It’s also worth noting that if you do purchase a smartwatch or similar, it’s easy to become obsessed with the data and worry about your metrics. We’ve both been there especially when it comes to sleep tracking! These devices should complement your fitness journey with useful insights. At the end of the day, regular movement and a balanced diet are the foundation of a healthy lifestyle.
So, what should you take away from this?
Every summer brings a new round of trends, some new, some recycled, all claiming to transform your fitness. The best thing you can do is not get caught up in viral social media posts; instead, stick to a structured and sensible training plan.
There’s no doubt that some of the trends we see are effective. If something catches your attention, we suggest a little digging. If you’ve read that finishing a swim with a sauna aids recovery, find someone who has one and ask what they think. If someone tells you running barefoot builds leg strength, have a chat with a running coach first (we’ll give you a clue; this one bends the truth to fit a narrative).
Summer is a wonderful time to get ahead with your health. Separate the fact from fiction, build something sustainable and you’ll have your best summer yet.
About Elevate Fitness
Elevate Fitness is a personal training and wellbeing company founded by Max Phillips and Rachel Parnell. Based in West Sussex, they specialise in one-to-one training sessions and online programmes. Max and Rachel help their clients build fitness, improve their health, and feel more confident in their daily lives. Elevate Fitness sessions are usually held in Warnham and Horsham, both as gym-based and at-home training. They also have an online service with training programmes and workouts that people can fit around busy schedules. Discover more about this approachable, friendly, and hugely motivating couple at: https://www.elevatefitness.uk/.
If you have enjoyed this post about debunking summer fitness trends by Elevate Fitness, you may also like:
