Your Summer Fitness Starter Pack: 4 Essential Workouts to Keep You Strong and Energized
Summer is here, and it’s the perfect time to laze around…
That doesn’t seem right.
Summer IS here, and with it comes the perfect opportunity to refresh your fitness routine. Whether you're looking to stay active during hot afternoons, maintain your strength while traveling, or simply want to feel your best in those summer clothes, we've got you covered with four essential workout types that'll keep you moving all season long.
From gentle chair yoga sessions perfect for beating the heat to strength-building routines that fit into your busy summer schedule, these spiral-bound fitness books are designed for real life. No more struggling with pages that flip closed right when you need to check your form, or trying to balance your book while holding a plank. These guides stay open exactly where you need them.
If you're looking for fitness books to help you get started, check out our catalog here at Lay It Flat! We create spiral-bound versions of the best workout books, allowing you to lay your books flat while exercising, stretching, and more.
Here's our curated collection of summer fitness essentials that'll help you stay strong, flexible, and energized no matter what the season brings.
Why Summer and Fitness Go Hand in Hand
There's something about longer days and warmer weather that makes us want to get moving and feel our best. Summer brings energy, motivation, and the perfect excuse to shake up your routine. Whether you're working out indoors with the AC cranked up or finding shaded spots for outdoor movement, this season offers endless opportunities to prioritize your health.
The key to summer fitness success? Having routines that work with your lifestyle, not against it. That's where these four workout types shine—they're adaptable, practical, and designed to fit into whatever summer throws your way.
Our Top 4 Summer Workout Essentials
1. Chair Yoga
📘 Chair Yoga for Seniors: Stretches and Poses that You Can Do Sitting Down at Home
Don't let the title fool you—this isn't just for seniors! Chair yoga is ideal for anyone who wants the benefits of yoga without needing to get down on the floor. Think of it as your secret weapon for those hot summer days when you want to stay active without working up a high-impact session.
Registered yoga instructor Lynn Lehmkuhl offers easy-to-follow positions and stretches that can be done anywhere you have a chair. This means you can practice on your porch, in your office, or even while traveling.
Why it's perfect for summer:
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No mat required—just grab any sturdy chair
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Great for hot days when floor exercises feel too intense
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Perfect for maintaining flexibility during long summer road trips
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Ideal for all fitness levels and ages
What you'll find inside:
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Full body warm-ups and cool-downs
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Beginner, intermediate, and expert routines
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Joint rolls and gentle stretches
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Increased energy and confidence-building exercises
Best for: Beginners to yoga, individuals with mobility concerns, busy professionals, and travelers seeking flexibility on the go.
2. Pilates
When you want to feel strong, confident, and graceful all summer long, Pilates is your answer. Author Brooke Siler, owner of New York's top Pilates studio, brings professional-level instruction right to your living room.
This comprehensive guide proves that you don't need expensive equipment to achieve a lean, toned Pilates body. Just you, a mat, and this expertly crafted program that focuses on strengthening your core while improving your posture and flexibility.
Why it's ideal for summer:
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No machines needed—perfect for home workouts
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Builds that strong, confident posture for summer activities
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Low-impact exercises won't overheat you
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Improves balance and flexibility for all your summer adventures
What makes it special:
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Complete circuit of mat exercises
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Clear step-by-step instructions with photos
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Unique visualization exercises to enhance your practice
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Focus on dramatic posture improvement
Best for: Anyone wanting to build core strength, improve posture, or achieve that long, lean Pilates physique without gym equipment.
3. Strength Training
📘 Weight Training for Women: Exercises and Workout Programs for Building Strength with Free Weights
Summer strength training doesn't have to mean sweating it out in a crowded gym. This guide shows you how to build total-body strength with free weights, whether you're working out at home or taking your routine to the park.
More than just exercises, this book covers everything from proper nutrition to workout scheduling, providing you with a comprehensive strength-building system that fits your life.
Why it's perfect for summer:
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Home or gym flexibility—work out wherever feels right
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Builds strength for all your summer activities
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Includes modifications for limited equipment
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Boosts confidence and mental well-being
What you'll discover:
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Dozens of exercises with step-by-step instructions
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Complete workout program design
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Safe scheduling for weekly routines
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Tips for proper form and injury prevention
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Guidance on nutrition and recovery
Best for: Women who want to build strength, beginners intimidated by weight training, and anyone looking to create their own effective strength program.
4. Stretching
📘 Stretching: 40th Anniversary Edition
This isn't just any stretching book—it's one of the world's most popular fitness books with over 3¾ million copies sold and translations in 24 languages. There's a reason it's been helping people stay flexible and pain-free for 40 years.
The anniversary edition features new stretches tailored for our digital age, addressing "tech neck" and computer-related posture issues that many of us face. It's like having a personal stretching coach who understands modern life.
Why it's essential for summer:
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Prevents injuries during increased summer activities
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Improves posture for better confidence
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Includes stretches for travelers and outdoor enthusiasts
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Perfect for post-workout recovery
What's inside:
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Stretching routines for sports enthusiasts, travelers, and gardeners
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New "Stretches for the Digital World" section
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Routines for people with different mobility levels
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Tips for better posture and office stretches
Best for: Everyone! This book truly offers something for people of all ages, activity levels, and lifestyles.
Making the Most of Your Summer Fitness Journey
- Start Where You Are: Summer fitness isn't about perfection—it's about consistency and feeling good in your body. Choose the workout that resonates with you the most and start there.
- Mix and Match: These four workout types complement each other beautifully. Try chair yoga on busy days, Pilates for core strength, weight training for power, and stretching for recovery.
- Beat the Heat: Working out indoors during peak summer heat is a smart, not lazy, choice. These routines are perfect for air-conditioned spaces.
- Listen to Your Body: Summer activities can be demanding on your body. Use these workouts to support your adventures, not compete with them.
- Stay Consistent: Even 15-20 minutes of movement daily makes a difference. Small, consistent efforts consistently beat sporadic, intense sessions.
Why Spiral-Bound Fitness Books Change Everything
Here's where we get excited about what makes these workout guides even better for your summer fitness routine. When you're following along with exercises, the last thing you want is pages flipping closed right when you need to check your form or read the next instruction.
Picture this: you're in the middle of a Pilates sequence, holding a challenging position, and you need to glance at the book to see what comes next. With a traditional book, you'd have to stop, flip back through pages, and lose your flow. With spiral-bound books, your instruction manual stays precisely where you need it.
This means safer workouts (you can always maintain proper form), better flow (with fewer interruptions), and more effective sessions (you stay focused on movement, not page management).
Your Summer Body is Waiting
Whether you choose the gentle accessibility of chair yoga, the core-strengthening power of Pilates, the confidence-building strength of weight training, or the essential foundation of proper stretching, this summer is your chance to feel stronger and more energized than ever.
Remember, fitness isn't about punishment or perfection—it's about feeling good in your body and having the strength and flexibility to enjoy everything summer has to offer. On some days, you may have the energy for a full-strength training session. Other days, gentle chair yoga might be exactly what you need. The most important thing is to keep moving and listen to what your body is telling you.
These books aren't just instruction manuals—they're your partners in creating a sustainable, enjoyable fitness routine that works with your real life, not against it.
Ready to make this your strongest summer yet? Explore our comprehensive collection of spiral-bound fitness books and discover the ideal guide to support your wellness journey. Your future self will thank you for taking the first step today.
