𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄

One of the most peculiar seasons of the year with regards to exercise is summer time. Praise the sun! Exemplary weather has finally arrived. Long gone are the brumal jackets, burdensome boots, blocked-in driveways and frosty commutes to the gym. Pull up a pair of shorts and toss on a tank top, we're hitting the road and the destination is health and strength with a side of increased confidence. Committing to a date with Brother Iron and Sister Steel has never been easier. So why is it that some people seem to shake, rattle and roll with the righteous metal less than ever when the climate is better? Mystifying. Bewildering. Perplexing, even! Walking into a gym and curling a barbell in June is certainly more convenient than it is in February, yet the number of dumbbell devotees seems to plummet while the heat gets hotter. Convincing one to ditch the pool in favour of performing some walking lunges is a tough sell for most, but what's often forgotten is that sticking to one's exercise regime can have a synergistic effect on how summer activities are ultimately enjoyed. Pumped pectorals, strapping quadriceps and chiseled abdominals look pretty swell on a coastline, and the vibrancy gained from an early morning's vigorous workout will leave you feeling energetic to enjoy a most virtuous day underneath the beams and rays. Hey, seated rows and leg extensions are important to hit in the winter too - the hibernal season is popularly utilized to lay down new muscle tissue by way of heavy duty action under pressure and poundage, but you didn't log in all of that steadfast effort just to depreciate by the time you dusted off your pool noodles. Working out isn't something we only commit to when snow is on the ground, it's an activity that must be embraced as a lifestyle choice, one that leads to greater fulfilment in every conceivable avenue, regardless of time or weather. The summer months present us with an enriching opportunity to exhibit the fruits of winter's labour. Toiling away in the gym in conjunction with the blizzards and holidays isn't always one of the most alluring of activities, especially when shovelling the driveway feels like a workout in and of itself, but the invaluable recompense of making one's way through the sultry summer with boulder shoulders and bulbous biceps makes all of winter's toil and exertion feel positive, valuable and worthwhile. You're ahead of the pack, you're looking sharp, you're a cool dude (or dudette). But just because you've earned winter's dividends doesn't mean you can deflate your efforts. Sun's out, guns out, whether it's July or January, and you're going to need to reload your triceps' magazines if that parking spot of yours requires snowslide clearing. Sustain your healthy habits year round and bask in your own pride. It's yours and you deserve it. There isn't much better than a cool shower or a dip in the pool upon completing another bout with the steel. So dust off a dumbbell, grip it, rip it, and enjoy all that summer has to offer. Until next time, be well and be happy.

PEF

forteriemuscle@gmail.com

Squats and lunges in the outdoors are movements that I look forward to all year.