10 Ways to Keep Moving During The Summer Holidays

Up against it this summer? If you’re skimming this whilst refereeing a sibling argument or waiting in a car park for football camp to finish, you’re not alone.

August can be the best and the worst time for training. The weather’s great and it’s light for ages, but school holidays and social events mean your routine is all over the place.

Here are some strategies to stay sane and keep moving through the beautiful chaos of summer.

Why August is a difficult time for training

Here’s what August looks like for most of us. Forget your usual 7am gym session, the kids are up at 6am demanding cereal and Bluey. That lunchtime run you rely on? You're either ferrying teenagers to activities or tackling the holiday packing.

Teachers are told they’ve got it easier with all that time off, but in reality your term-time routine has vanished, and you're facing eight weeks that feel busier than when you’re at work.

But August also offers long, light evenings, warm weather, and plenty of motivation for training…if only you can get the chance. The key is adjusting your expectations and getting creative with opportunities.

Why keep a baseline of fitness through summer

You might be tempted to throw in the towel until September, but maintaining some level of activity through summer is worth the effort. Keeping a baseline means you'll feel better (physically and mentally) through the madness. And you won’t have to deal with "getting back into it" in September.

Here’s how to keep the engine ticking over.

10 summer challenges (and how to train through them)

1. Primary age kids off school

These little ones need constant entertainment and have zero concept of your need for exercise.

Solution: kill two birds with one stone and make movement part of their day. Race them to the park, do bodyweight training in the garden, or create obstacle courses they can join. Twenty minutes of "the floor is lava" is surprisingly good cardio.

2. Secondary age kids want lifts everywhere

Secondary school kids disrupt your morning routine by sleeping in then need taxi services all afternoon.

Solution: use those lift journeys. Park a bit further away and walk, or if you're waiting in car parks, use that time for a run or bodyweight training.

3. Older teens who've discovered social lives

The 16+ crowd might be more independent but somehow create even more scheduling chaos.

Solution: early morning is your friend - they're probably still asleep. Even 15 minutes of movement can set you up for the day.

4. Holiday travel disruption

Airports, long car journeys, or staying somewhere without your usual facilities all make training tricky.

Solution: pack resistance bands (they weigh nothing), use airport waiting time for walks, and remember that hotel room bodyweight sessions can be surprisingly effective.

5. House guests throwing off your routine

Visitors mean your space and schedule aren't your own.

Solution: include them! Most people enjoy a morning walk or some gentle stretching. You might discover that your friends and family are craving a workout too and you won’t know if you don’t ask.

6. Social events and BBQs

Summer socials are lovely but exhausting and often involve more food and drink than usual.

Solution: suggest active social plans. Walking with friends, playing games at family gatherings – you may well find that some people are grateful for the suggestion.

7. Teacher’s summer schedule disruption

Eight weeks without structure can be as challenging as it is liberating.

Solution: create loose routine. Maybe Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings are always training time, regardless of what else crops up in the week.

8. Childcare juggling act

Holiday clubs, and constantly changing arrangements can quickly take up all of your time.

Solution: short workouts between transitions. Five minutes here and there adds up, and bodyweight exercises can be done anywhere.

9. Weather too hot or unpredictably wet

British summers keep us guessing and 2025 is no different!

Solution: indoor and outdoor backup plans, like a 10-minute indoor training session for rainy days and early morning or evening options for hot weather.

10. An “all or nothing" mindset

Feeling like if you can't do your usual hour-long session, there's no point doing anything.

Solution: you need to ditch this way of thinking. 10 minutes of movement is always better than zero minutes, so do what you can to keep your fitness and mental wellbeing ticking over during the summer weeks.

Your summer training strategy

Summer isn’t forever (even when it feels like it). Set yourself a realistic goal for activity and training, even if it feels like a low bar compared to your usual routine. Aim for something every day, even if it’s only a short walk. And take every opportunity you can get – this might mean keeping walking shoes or portable training equipment in the car, but it’s worth it.

Your September self will be glad of every effort you make now, even when it feels like you're barely keeping your head above water. So grab today’s 10 minutes before someone needs a lift or something to eat!