It’s Not too Late to Get Beach Body Ready!

Summer is in full swing and you may feel like it’s too late to tone up and look good in your bathing suit, but now is the perfect time to get in shape and feel and look great for the rest of your summer. If you live near the beach, have fun while you tone from head to toe! The sand adds resistance for a more challenging workout. However, if you’re far from the beach, you can do these exercises anywhere, including in your own home. Try these simple moves to tone up and be beach body ready in no time!

“Sandy Lunges”: Standing place your right foot approximately 3-4 feet in front of your left. Bend both knees so your knees make 90 degree angles. Make sure your right knee is directly above your right ankle. Never allow your knee to go beyond your toe. Keep your shoulders up and your hips forward. Come back to stand and repeat on the left leg. Alternate lunges 15-20 reps each leg. Benefits: Tones thighs and buttocks.

“Wave Runner”: 10 feet from the edge of the water jog up to the edge of the water then jog backwards. Repeat for 5-10 min. Benefits: Calorie burner, tones and defines thighs, buttocks, and calves.

“Overhead Ball Throws”: Hold a beach ball (or any mid-sized ball) with your arms straight and directly over your head. Bend your elbows so the ball is behind your head and throw the ball “overhead” to your partner. Repeat 20-30 reps. Benefits: Tones back of your arms (triceps) and shoulders.

“Ab-solutely Abs: Sit on the sand with your knees together and slightly bent. Hold onto your beach ball and lean back until you feel your abdominal muscles working. Next twist to the right and repeat for 8-10 reps then switch and repeat on the left. Work up to 2-3 sets of 8-10 reps each. Benefits: Tones and firms your abdominals and waist (obliques).

Sara Holliday MFT, CPT is a licensed marriage and family therapist, certified personal trainer, wife and mother of two boys, Kaden 2 and Ty 5. For more info about her national Total Body Coaching Programs visit: www.fitbysara.com.