Summer is the perfect time to shake up your workout routine. Take a moment to assess what’s been working for you so far this year - and what hasn’t. After all, a little too much summer fun can be just the motivation you need to reboot your fitness goals. Ready to switch things up? We’ve got five trending workout ideas to help you get back on track.
1. Walking Pads
Anyone who sits at a desk all day knows that it’s hard to combat all of that sedentary time with just one hour at the gym. Walking pads are the answer. While you won’t get the same intensity as a traditional treadmill, you can take advantage of the many health perks of those extra steps. Not only does the calorie burn help keep pounds off and tone the body, but it also offers incredible benefits for cardiovascular health, lowers stress, and more. One study found that walking for just five minutes every half hour can help offset the adverse effects of the typical sedentary desk job by lowering both blood sugar and blood pressure. Studies have shown that walking can also boost your mental health and reduce stress, which can help you navigate the workday in a better mood.
Walking pads are designed for slow, gentle steps while you work. The movement keeps you motivated and fends off the afternoon slump, too!
2. AI Workouts
To get a personalized workout tailored to your fitness goals, schedule, injuries, and more, simply enter a prompt into an AI search engine like ChatGPT. For example, type in: “Create a workout for me that focuses on full-body strength training. I have 10-pound weights and can work out three days a week. I have a sore knee." You’ll receive a workout plan that takes into account all these factors. Also specify your experience level - the more details you provide, the more tailored your workout will be.
For a more structured plan, try an app like Fitbod. It creates customized strength workouts based on your past activity, muscle recovery, and goals, and it tracks your progress. It can connect to your wearable device, such as an Apple Watch.
One thing AI can’t do is provide your body the support it needs to get through a workout, but Copper Fit does! The Copper Fit X Back Brace is a custom-adjustable strap system that provides unique stability, replicating the spine's natural mobility, and can be worn under any clothing. It’s ideal for everyday support, injury recovery, or relief from arthritis. With many more options from Copper Fit for your elbows, hands, back, shoulders, knees, feet, and ankles, you’re covered!
3. Mini-Workouts
You don’t have to dedicate a chunk of your day to working out when you get on the mini-workout trend. These quick workouts can be done anywhere and not only boost your metabolism throughout the day, but also help you stay focused and energized. Just 10 minutes of movement can improve insulin sensitivity, boost mood, and build strength, especially when done regularly. By the end of the day, your stacked workouts will have helped you achieve 45-60 minutes of exercise, which can aid in reaching your fitness goals if done regularly.
Check out this 5-Minute Bodyweight HIIT Mini-Workout, which you can aim to do three times a day. Perform each move for 40 seconds, then rest for 20 seconds:
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Air squats
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Modified pushups (wall or knee-based)
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Glute bridges
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Mountain climbers
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Bird-dogs
Complete 1–2 rounds. Start today!
4. Outdoor and Community-Based Workouts
Community fitness can help keep you motivated and accountable, two key factors in achieving long-lasting health. Plus, it’s fantastic to be surrounded by people with like-minded goals that bring out the best in you and cheer you on, too. Community fitness is also fun, and a little healthy competition helps us push ourselves to be our best. Couple those incredible benefits with being outside in nature, and you can see that outdoor community-based activities are all the rage! Here are some that are trending:
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Run clubs - These are simply groups of people meeting regularly to run together. They range from informal meetings that can be found on social media to structured organizations with training programs and even competitive events. You can search “run clubs near me" or check out locations on RunYourCity.com. Most run clubs cater to all kinds of runners and offer pace groups or routes tailored to your fitness level. Don’t head out to that run without the support you need! Copper Fit Arch Relief Plus is an adjustable compression band featuring a built-in adaptive arch orthotic, designed to provide targeted compression and relief for fallen arches, flat feet, and plantar fasciitis.
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Outdoor Boot Camps - An excellent way to get a full-body workout while enjoying the fresh air. Most boot camps incorporate a variety of activities, including squats, lunges, push-ups, sprints, resistance band exercises, and partner drills. Bonus, these workouts are low-cost or even free. No gym membership required, just drop in when you can! Search online for one near you.
5. Pickleball
We can’t talk about trending workouts without mentioning pickleball. Why is it the fastest growing sport in the U.S? It’s fun, social, easy to learn, and surprisingly good exercise, too. Pickleball play involves lots of lateral movement, so lateral stability and protecting the knees are essential. Copper Fit’s ICE Compression Knee Sleeve is a lightweight compressive knee brace that provides increased comfort and stability without limiting freedom of movement. Even better, it’s infused with micro-encapsulated menthol to aid with achy muscles. Grab your friends, hit the courts, and have some fun!
Summer is the perfect time to reset and recharge your fitness routine, and Copper Fit is here to support you every step of the way, no matter how you choose to move.
