Last updated on May 20, 2025
Help Clients Stay Fit All Summer Long
As summer arrives, clients often feel more motivated to revisit their health goals. With beach trips, vacations, and outdoor events on the calendar, many are eager to look and feel their best. But warmer weather also presents a unique challenge: gym time often takes a back seat to time outside.
As a fitness professional, your job is to help clients stay consistent even when their schedule shifts. Instead of fighting the season, work with it. Outdoor-friendly workouts can reduce resistance and help clients keep showing up. By integrating portable, bodyweight, or minimal-equipment exercises into their summer routine, you make fitness both accessible and enjoyable. Below are three exercises designed to deliver results—no matter where summer takes them.
1. Burpees – A Total Body Blast, Anywhere
Burpees are a tried-and-true full-body movement that combines strength, endurance, and cardio conditioning. They engage the legs, arms, chest, core, and back—making them an efficient choice for outdoor workouts where equipment might be limited. Clients can do burpees in a park, on the beach, in their backyard, or during travel.
Burpee Instructions:
Start from standing with feet shoulder-width apart. Lower into a squat and place hands on the floor. Kick the feet back into a push-up position, complete a push-up, then hop the feet forward to return to squat. From there, leap upward with hands overhead. That’s one rep.
Programming Options:
Try 3 sets of 10 reps with 1-minute rest between, or perform as many burpees as possible in 60 seconds followed by 1 minute of rest. For a metabolic finisher, add one round to the end of any workout.
2. Planks – Core Strength on Demand
The plank is a deceptively simple core training move that delivers serious benefits. It strengthens the abdominals, back, glutes, shoulders, and even the legs. According to the Mayo Clinic, core exercises like planks make it easier to do most physical activities. It also enhances posture and stability—key factors in injury prevention and functional movement.
Plank Instructions:
Start in a high push-up position with hands shoulder-width apart and body aligned head to heels. Lower to forearms if preferred. Maintain a tight core and neutral spine. Hold this position, focusing on form and breath.
Programming Options:
Beginners can hold for 30 seconds, rest, and repeat 3–5 times. Intermediate and advanced clients can aim for 1-minute holds with variations like leg lifts or plank shoulder taps to increase challenge and engagement.
3. Kettlebell Squats – Simple, Powerful, and Effective
In general, kettlebell training can be a phenomenal strength and conditioning tool. The kettlebell squat is a foundational movement that strengthens the legs, glutes, and core while reinforcing posture and mobility. It’s ideal for both beginners and seasoned lifters and works perfectly as an outdoor-friendly strength training option.
Kettlebell Squat Instructions (Goblet Squat):
Hold a kettlebell close to your chest in the goblet position. Stand with feet just wider than hip-width. Lower into a squat, keeping the chest upright and the kettlebell close to your body. Drive through the heels to return to standing.
Single Kettlebell Front Squat (Progression):
Rack the bell tightly on one side. Actively pull yourself into the squat and emphasize anti-rotation control through midsection. The benefits of this progression include rebalancing and post-rehabilitation support.
Programming Options:
Try this single kettlebell ladder from the Iron Cardio Approach:
- Clean, Press, Squat
- Clean, Press, Squat x2
- Clean, Press, Squat x3
- Clean, Press, Squat x4…
Want to coach this movement with confidence or refine your own kettlebell technique? Explore AFPA’s new course, Kettlebell Essentials: The Iron Cardio Approach. This 100% online, self-paced training walks you through kettlebell fundamentals using structured, progressive drills taught by elite coach Brett Jones. It’s perfect for personal trainers who want to improve form, function, and programming with kettlebells.
Support Client Consistency Through Summer
Summer doesn’t have to derail your clients’ fitness progress. By introducing effective, minimalist exercises like burpees, planks, and kettlebell squats, you give clients the flexibility to train on their own time, in their own space—without sacrificing results. These movements target major muscle groups, build endurance, and promote mobility and balance. With thoughtful programming and adaptable options, you can help clients make the most of the season. Whether they’re working out at the park, beside the pool, or in a home garage, fitness can stay a priority.
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