What is this plan about?
Forget training for a bikini, we want to help you train for a fun-filled, action-packed life instead! That’s why our summer challenge is all about helping you build strength in so many ways. This minimalist plan has an extra emphasis on STRENGTH so that you spend less time ‘exercising’ and more time getting out and actively enjoying your summer! We still want you to keep up with your daily step goal, so if the weather is nice where you are, take it outside for extra enjoyment (but if getting out is tough, or the weather isn’t cooperating, feel free to check out our walking program options on DVD/digital or on YouTube – more info below).
While cardio exercise offers plenty of health benefits, our focus for this particular plan is all about strength and mobility! Of course, you can add in additional cardio time if you wish, but sometimes a brief, planned break from your typical training regimen can be just what your body needs to help shake up your results (and your motivation too!). We’re all about keeping your summer training schedule simple and to the point. Summertime is also a great season to refresh your nutrition with fresh, healthy foods and plenty of water, so be sure to pair your sessions with great nourishment for best results.
What’s included?
This plan has us training together 5 days per week, but you can always adapt and adjust your schedule as you see fit by moving your ‘OFF’ days anywhere in your week you like, or even adding in additional sessions during those days if you want to do more. We’ll be alternating strength with stretch days in order to allow for plenty of recovery, enhance your mobility and energy so that you can really give your strength sessions your all. (If you’ve been thinking about investing in heavier weights, now is the time! 🙂 This periodized rotation includes options from both our DVD/digital programming as well as our FREE YouTube videos, with extra emphasis on building stamina, endurance, power, and function, in order to maximize your results in minimal time so that you can make the most out of this season of fun and sun.
By now, you may have done several of these workouts before, which is great! Repetition is a wonderful opportunity to grow — you know what to expect from a routine so you can really push your limits by adding more weight, intensity, speed, form, performance, etc. when appropriate. Even seemingly simple workouts can offer a fantastic challenge when we take things to the next level.
Of course, we want you to continue to listen to your body at all times, so even if you are going for the challenge, be sure to honor your body’s needs and back off whenever necessary. We want you to challenge yourself, but always take care of yourself too! (For more help with modifying to meet your needs, please check out our FAQs section at the bottom of the page).
And a few final things to remember…
Please don’t forget your daily step goal! Instead of trying to add on more workout time, we want you to continue to walk as often as you can. If you aren’t yet meeting your daily dose of Vitamin ‘W” [walking!], start by simply adding an additional 500 steps per week to gradually work your way up to your personal goal (we suggest eventually aiming for 10-15,000 steps a day if that feels right for you). Our walking DVDs and walking videos here on YouTube are a great way to fit in extra steps if you need a little extra help or motivation or can’t walk outdoors.
Super Short on Time? Our “10-Minute Quick Walk Mix” offers 10-minute strength + cardio (even stretch!) options that can help you squeeze in a sweat session even on the busiest of days (we also have a full playlist available of 10-minute-or-less videos here on our channel too)!
Traveling? Feel free to take a week off if you are traveling and need a break, or check out our Travel-Friendly workout playlist here for sessions you can easily squeeze in during a hotel or guest room stay!
Please remember one of our favorite phrases, SOMETHING is always better than nothing. On those crazy busy days, or when you just don’t have the energy to do more, check out our 10-Minute-or-Less video playlist and 1-Mile Walk and Talk sessions to help keep you moving when life gets in the way.
What’s next after this plan?
This five-week rotation can be easily repeated throughout the summer and into the fall — you may want to take a week off in between cycles (or not); feel free to follow it as outlined and/or use it as a guide and swap in other workouts of your choice in order to continue on but within a similar structure. (Our previous challenges from earlier in the year are also still available on our website here, in case you want to cycle through those again as well!).
Here’s to a summer of true strength (and lots of sparkling fun)!
A huge thank you to community member Jennifer S. who made the plan into a five-week calendar for us! (Click here to download the printable pdf). Thank you, Jennifer, for creating this additional tool to help us track our sessions!
WEEK ONE
FOCUS: STAMINA
Notes: It’s time to build up our stamina! Be sure to use your heaviest set(s) of weights this week (remember, you can start with your heaviest and then drop down to the next lower set if you can’t complete every rep in the set with great form). Challenge your body, but always stay safe too!
Day 1: TOTAL BODY
DVD/Digital: 30-Minute Total Body from Walk Strong 3
YouTube: 35-Minute Straight Up Strength Training
Day 2: STRETCH
DVD/Digital: 30-Minute Yoga for Strength and Flexibility from Yoga Fusion Fix
YouTube: 30-Minute Strength in Stillness
Day 3: UPPER BODY
DVD/Digital: 30-Minute Upper Body Strength from Walk Strong
YouTube: 20-Minute Awesome Arms & Abs
Day 4: STRETCH
DVD/Digital: 15-Minute Yoga for Stress Relief and Relaxation from Yoga Fusion Fix
YouTube: 15-Minute Short & Sweet Stretch
Day 5: LOWER BODY
DVD/Digital: Lower Body from Walk Strong 3
YouTube: 15-Minute Lower Body Blast
Day 6: OFF*
Day 7: OFF*
*Feel free to mix these in during the week if you prefer Day 2 and 4 OFF for example. Mix it up any way that works best for you! OFF Days off are also great for adding in additional stretch or prehab style routines too.
WEEK TWO
FOCUS: ENDURANCE
Notes: This week is all about building a stronger foundation by focusing on muscular endurance, balance, agility, and mobility. Focus on being able to perform your repetitions through the largest range of motion you safely can using great form for every rep. We’re going higher on the rep count, so feel free to go lighter on your weights during this week’s sessions.
Day 8: TOTAL BODY STRENGTH
DVD/Digital: 45-Minute Stepping Strength from Walk On: Get Strong
YouTube: 30-Minute Stepping Strength
Day 9: ENERGIZING STRETCH
DVD/Digital: 30-Minute AM: Energizing Flow from Yoga Stretch for Beginners and Beyond
YouTube: 30-Minute Strong Stretch
Day 10: TOTAL BODY FUSION
DVD/Digital: 47-Minute Fusion Strength from Feel Good Fusion
YouTube: 20-Minute Barefoot Fusion Sculpt
Day 11: CORE STRETCH
DVD/Digital: 20-Minute Core Stretch from Total Body Balance
YouTube: 20-Minute Core Stretch
Day 12: TOTAL BODY BARRE
DVD/Digital: 60-Minute Barre Fitness (Play All)
YouTube: 52-Minute Ballet Burn
Day 13: OFF*
Day 14: OFF*
*Feel free to mix these in during the week if you prefer Day 2 and 4 OFF for example. Mix it up any way that works best for you! OFF Days off are also great for adding in additional stretch or prehab style routines too.
WEEK THREE
FOCUS: POWER
Notes: Our power-focused training this week will offer even more of a cardio effect, especially if you go heavier with your weights (when appropriate, making sure you can still maintain great form and control during the reps) during the sessions. Be sure to attempt these tougher training days when you are both fully rested and hydrated so you can really push yourself during the workouts (and then enjoy those light mobility work days in between!).
Day 15: METABOLIC CONDITIONING
DVD/Digital: 30-Minute Metabolic Conditioning from Walk Strong 3
AND/OR
YouTube: 30-Minute MetCon 5
Day 16: FLEXIBILITY & MOBILITY
DVD/Digital: 30-Minute Gentle Yoga for Stability and Mobility from Gentle Yoga Stretch
AND/OR
YouTube: 8-Minute Total Body Towel Stretch
Day 17: CARDIO SCULPT
DVD/Digital: 28-Minute Total Body Abs Transformer from Cardio Abs
AND/OR
YouTube: 20-Minute Cardio Sculpting
Day 18: DYNAMIC STRETCH
DVD/Digital: 30-Minute Dynamic Stretch from Walk Strong
YouTube: 18-Minute Total Body Stress Relieving Dynamic Stretch
Day 19: INTERVAL SCULPT
DVD/Digital: 30-Minute Cardio Interval Sculpt from Walk Strong 3
AND/OR
YouTube: 30-Minute Travel Friendly Cardio + Strength Circuit Workout
Day 20: OFF*
Day 21: OFF*
*Feel free to mix these in during the week if you prefer Day 2 and 4 OFF for example. Mix it up any way that works best for you! OFF Days off are also great for adding in additional stretch or prehab style routines too.
WEEK FOUR
FOCUS: FUNCTION
Notes: While our sessions always focus on both form and function since our ultimate goal is to train for a better quality of life, this week’s sessions highlight some of the bonus effects these types of workouts can provide not only during your exercise time, but in your daily life too.
Day 22: TOTAL BODY + CORE
DVD/Digital: 15-Minute Streamline Sculpt + 15-Minute Total Body Training + OPTIONAL 15-Minute Add On Abs from Walk Strong 3
YouTube: 23-Minute Single Sided Strength
Day 23: PILATES
DVD/Digital: 30-Minute Pilates + Yoga from Walk Strong 3
AND/OR
YouTube: 20-Minute Belly, Buns & Thighs Yoga
Day 24: TOTAL BODY PREHAB & STRENGTH
DVD/Digital: [OPTIONAL – can be used first as an extended warm up] 30-Minute Prehab from Walk Strong from + 35-Minute Total Focus from Walk Strong: Boost Metabolism & Muscle [Walk Strong 2.0]
YouTube: 30-Minute Total Body Standing Strength
Day 25: GENTLE YOGA FOR BACK PAIN PREVENTION
DVD/Digital: 30-Minute Yoga for Back Pain Prevention from Gentle Yoga for Back Pain Relief & Prevention
YouTube: 40-Minute Gentle Yoga for Back
Day 26: TOTAL BODY BARRE & AGILITY
DVD/Digital: 30-Minute Barre Sculpt from Walk Strong 3 + [OPTIONAL] Balance & Agility from Walk Strong: Build Balance & Inner Strength
YouTube: 20-Minute Total Body Barre *NEW* + [OPTIONAL] 40-Minute Fusion Band
Day 27: OFF*
Day 28: OFF*
*Feel free to mix these in during the week if you prefer Day 2 and 4 OFF for example. Mix it up any way that works best for you! OFF Days off are also great for adding in additional stretch or prehab style routines too.
WEEK FIVE
FOCUS: TOTAL STRENGTH
Notes: The final week of this rotation is focused on bringing together the stamina, endurance, power, and function that you’ve been developing and putting it into each one of these routines with total strength. Work to the best of your ability, performing the fullest expression of all of the movements, managing the heaviest weight or advancement option you are able to handle with great form and control. (Just a heads up, Day 29’s DVD options are a little longer than usual, so feel free to swap days around if needed, or use the YouTube options instead, in order to fit it into your schedule).
Oh, and at the end of the week, don’t forget to celebrate your STRENGTH once you are done! You did it — yeah!!
Day 29: LOWER & UPPER BODY
DVD/Digital: 35-Minute Lower Focus + 35-Minute Upper Body from Walk Strong: Boost Metabolism & Muscle [Walk Strong 2.0]
YouTube: 30-Minute Total Body Strength Training + 15-Minute Total Body Cardio Strength
Day 30: STRETCH
DVD/Digital: 20-Minute Yoga for Balance & Core Strength from Yoga Fusion Fix
YouTube: 25-Minute Total Body Stretch
Day 31: TOTAL BODY STRENGTH
DVD/Digital: 40-Minute Strictly Strength from Walk On: Get Strong
YouTube: 18-Minute Total Body Sculpting Time Saver Workout
Day 32: STRETCH
DVD/Digital: 30-Minute Gentle Yoga for Flexibility and Relaxation from Gentle Yoga Stretch
YouTube: 15-Minute Stretch Out Stress
Day 33: STRENGTH & ENDURANCE
DVD/Digital: 30-Minute Strength Interval Walk from Walk On: 30 Day Plan [Major Metabolism Booster DVD]
AND/OR
YouTube: 36-Minute Stride & Strength Walk
Day 34: OFF*
Day 35: OFF*
*Feel free to mix these in during the week if you prefer Day 2 and 4 OFF for example. Mix it up any way that works best for you! OFF Days off are also great for adding in additional stretch or prehab style routines too.
FAQs
How do I make the plan work for me? [ie. What if a workout is too easy or too hard, too short or too long, for my current needs?]
We know that not every workout works for every body. The great news is we have a huge library of workout options available (which can sometimes make it hard to decide what to do!) that offer options to simply or advance the moves, but the daily recommended workout is just that — a recommendation. But, because we’re all working at different levels of fitness with various needs and preferences, we want you to decide what works best for you! You can follow our weekly suggested schedules as a loose guide and feel free to sub in any of your favorite YouTube videos, DVD or digital workout programs.
Too hard? If you are new to exercise or starting back up after a long hiatus, remember to listen to your body and go at your own pace. You may want to sub in one of our more beginner friendly routines any day you find the recommended one a bit too much. Prefer no floor work? Feel free to choose from our vitally floor work free “Walk On” series options [we also have a lot of floor work free or standing only YouTube video options as well].
Too easy? If you have been keeping up with your workouts and going strong, feel free to amp things up by using our advanced modification options, increasing your weights during strength training, or, even adding on additional workout time if that feels right for you. And, please keep in mind that there are several days a week that purposely have you training in your endurance zone, a more moderate intensity that while it may feel ‘easier,’ still offers big health benefits.
We are all about you making this plan work for YOU, without a lot of muss or fuss!
What if I miss a day (or week)?
No big deal! Simply pick up where you left off — there’s no need to start over or feel guilty for not adhering exactly to the schedule [this is NOT an all or nothing program!]. Stay flexible and get back at it as soon as you can. Please remember consistency is key, and our motto is SOMETHING IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN NOTHING, so just do the best you can with what you have, every day. It’s the little daily steps that add up to big lasting results. And for those crazy busy days, or when you just don’t have the energy to do more, check out our 10-Minute-or-Less video playlist and 1-Mile Walk and Talk sessions to help keep you moving when life gets in the way.
What’s next after this?
This five-week rotation can be easily repeated throughout the summer and into the fall – you may want to take a week off in between cycles (or not); feel free to follow it as outlined and/or use it as a guide and swap in other workouts of your choice in order to continue on but within a similar structure.
What do I need to do to participate?
All you need to do is follow along with our suggested schedules (making adjustments as needed to meet your needs, of course). We also recommend inviting a friend (or two) to join you and/or checking in with the rest of our community so that we can all help cheer each other on and offer support along the way! Feel free to check in with us and the rest of our community on social media (be sure to tag @JESSICASMITHV and let us know that you are joining us) we’re all in this together!
You can find us on:
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK
You. Got. This!
This plan looks great! I’m excited to start it this summer!
This plan looks great! I’m excited to start it this summer!
I really enjoyed doing the 3 month Lift and Shift program this Spring and am anxious to start it again for the summer. My question is do I need to register for it? Are any of the programs different? Thank you for your wonderful programs. I am so impressed that you can do the exercises while still talking and instructing us on form.
Hi Mary! Thanks so much for joining us for “Lift and Shift”! We would love to have you rejoin us again for the next round. You don’t need to register again since you already own the program (the sessions are all the same for this round, it will be just like the last 12 week plan) and we welcome you to check in with us and the rest of the group if you’d like. In case you missed our last email about our program updates, you can check in with us on the site here for the next official round starting on Monday, June 28th (you can of course start sooner if you’d like). Can’t wait to see you for Day One of Round 2 soon 🙂
Hello,Would love to sign up for June lift and sift but didn’t see a way to do that. Did I miss something?
Thank you!
Hi Joyce! We would love to have you join us for our next round of “Lift and Shift!” Once registration opens again on June 21st you will be able to sign up for the program here on our website: https://www.liftandshift.us/ (registration ends on June 28th).
Hi Jessica. I’m over a year late into the Challenge, but just completed it today and feel awesome. Thank you for setting a really enjoyable and effective program. I really liked being able to try some of your workouts for the first time. You have such a wealth of fitness videos, I don’t know if I would have ever gotten around to doing some of them, had it not been for this particular Challenge. Unfortunately, I had some setbacks which kept me from completing the Challenge earlier (I figure I could have 2 weeks ago!), but I hung in there and did it. I just purchased your Lift & Shift and your Walk Strong 6-week programs and I can’t wait! Dunno which one to start next, so will have to decide. Can’t wait to crush both! I love your workouts and I’ve been following you on YouTube for 5 years now. Your channel has been a godsend for this girl who hated exercise until she discovered you. Thank you for helping me love getting fitter and healthier! I appreciate you and all the work you’ve been doing for us! Wishing you continued success!
Hi Lydia! You aren’t late you are springing in as soon as you could, welcome! Thank you so much for joining us for our Summer of Strength plan, great job! And we would love to have you join us for either program, whichever decide feels like the next best step for you. Please keep up the great work you are doing taking care of your body and your health. Thank you so much for being a valued member of our community. We’re so glad you are here and can’t wait to join you for another session soon. 🙂
Thanks, Jessica 🙂
Hello Jessica,
Just wanted to thank you (and Peanut) for bringing such a great vibe into my home as I work out to your routines. I don’t care if I loose weight or not, I just have fun (while keeping my form) doing any one of your workouts. I am on week two of the Summer of Strength and loving every day. I don’t even bother with any other trainer, your style is just awesome!
Thank you so much !
What if I don’t have the DVDs or Digitals?
There is a YouTube option listed for each day that you can do instead.
I completed my second round of this fabulous challenge. I feel so much fitter, stronger and more toned. It has been so good to have Jessica as a workout partner throughout this very unusual summer.
Hi Ronnie! If you look at the schedule, each daily workout lists both a DVD/digital and a option from our YouTube channel as well. Hope this helps 🙂
Summer of Strength 2020! Perfect for shelter in place workouts. Love your videos and programs. Hope all is well with you! Thank you for what you do.
Just finished week 4 and feeling good! Thank you so much Jessica, your workouts have gotten me through some really rough emotional terrain and brought me much joy, health, and vitality. Many Blessings to you and your family!
So excited to get started today with Summer of Strength Challenge! My workout mentality for years was “go hard or go home.” Since I discovered Jessica’s workouts however, I have never looked back!! I don’t dread my workouts anymore…I LOVE them! These are workouts you can do for life and the challenges are great because I feel like I’m working out with a bunch of friends!!
Dearest Jessica,
have “discovered” you in 2015 and ever since you have been such an inspiration for me.
After having completed the core week ( great by the way) I am so looking forward to this new challenge. Thank you for all the positive things you have brought into my life.
Hi Jessica, look forward to your new ab workouts.
Hopefully you’ll consider adding loop band workouts to your series. I have several in different levels of intensity, but cannot find any full length workouts showings exercises to workout and tone your muscles. Most feature just resistance band workouts.
Hope to see you and Peanut soon for some more great workouts.
I have recently finished two rotations of the SoS. I have enjoyed it sooo much and I was even ready to begin my third.
Wonderful to see Core Week has been posted and since I have access to all routines on either download or YouTube I shall do it as a two week programme and do all of the suggested workouts.
I can’t say enough thank you’s Jessica. You have changed my life.
Hurray, finished the Summer of Strength workouts! This week I’m going to start them all over again. I’ve been doing the challenges and workouts consistently since last August. I am so happy to tell you that between the workouts and healthier eating, I have lost a total of 60 pounds!! Thanks so much for the workouts and challenges. They keep me motivated!!
That’s fantastic Cathy!! Congrats to you on all of your accomplishments. Please keep up the amazing work you are doing taking care of your body and your health!
Once again, Jessica, you shine through!! I love all your workouts! you motivate me! thank you so much for always thinking about all of us and coming up with great challenges and rotation calendars!! You give us so much, unlike many Trainers out there that charge an arm and a leg to get their workouts!! you provide us with them!! But I know God will continue blessing you in your life!! Hugs! and kisses to Peanut and your little girl! would love to see a pic of her!
Love Jessica Smith workouts; they are not wimpy but offer options that work. Even if she’s not really in the room I feel as if she’s encouraging me personally. Just did day 1 of the Summer of Strength. I’m tired but so pumped that I got through it!!!
If you don’t mind me asking, did you have your baby? I’ve been anxiously waiting 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thank you for putting this plan together! I always love your summer plans.
Thank you so much, Trina! Yes, our baby girl is here and keeping us plenty busy! So glad we can continue to move together – thank you for joining us for the Summer of Strength 🙂
Congrats on the birth of your daughter, Jessica!!
Congratulations!!! So happy for you!!
I realize that this program is for strength but should you use this program if your current goal is mainly to lose weight?
Thank you Jessica for putting together this summer strength schedule. All I have to do is press the title and it links me to the YouTube video! So easy! Thank you so much for your time, your kindness, your energy, and your love! I really appreciate you!! ????
I agree with previous comments = Please provide a printable calendar. Thank you!!
The printable calendar is now available – please see above for download link! 🙂
I’ll just get the chance to do week one before I go on holiday to Canada for two weeks, but I’ll be right back on it after my trip – thanks Jessica – helping me have a routine with the press of a button is wonderful and the fact that you take the time to produce these throughout the year says a lot about you. You’re a very special person.
Suggestion to all: create your own playlist in Youtube for each week so it will be easy to just play everyday without losing time to search it. Just did the 5 playlists.. let’s do this!
Brilliant idea. Wish I had done that at the beginning of the week; I wouldn’t have done day 15 on day 1.
I am enjoying the Summer of Strength ????
Perfect timing! I was looking for something to start on Monday.
Is there a printable calendar? I am all in!! Thank you! Steph
The printable calendar is now available – please see above for download link! 🙂
Very excited to start this with my daughter. We’re going to keep each other accountable. Thank you Jessica and Friends.
Alison Worcester
Sharon Springs, NY
Looking forward to this workout, where it the print version.
Could we have a calendar version to print off please xx
I’m in and looking forward to it. This has come at just the right time for me. I’ve recently started running and need some strength exercises to do on rest days. I’ve tried my own pick n mix from all your DVDs I’ve already got but not very successfully! I really like to follow a plan and this looks perfect. Thanks so much.
I am very excited to join Summer of Strength. I just turned 60 years old. I’ve been exercising for many years! I know it’s never too late to improve health. We’re never going to outgrow a healthy lifestyle. That includes exercise!
Psyched for this Summer Challenge! Thanks for helping me to see that workouts can be both fun and effective. I recently added Gentle Yoga, Cardio Abs, and Total Body Balance to my collection – love them!!
Jessica, you are awesome! Giving us a plan every month to help us with our fitness goals; changing things up for variety; keeping us motivated. You are beautiful, inspiring, down to earth, and a great instructor. You are the whole package. Thank you so much!
A calendar version that can be printed off please ????
A calendar would be nice and where to find on you-tube if you don’t have all the dvds.
The links are clickable to the YouTube content
Thank you again for making fitness available to everyone: Free on youtube or through purchasing your excellent videos.
Does any of the workouts require getting on the floor. I have osteoarthritis in both knees and it’s extremely difficult for me to get up and down on the floor.
Hi Sharon! We do have floor work in many of these workouts. You can search our Youtube channel for “floor work free” options and/or you may want to check out our “Walk On: Get Strong” and “Walk On: Metabolism Booster” videos for floor work free strength training sessions that might work better for you. 🙂
I cant wait to start on Monday!
Starting today! Thank you so much! Working with Jessica makes exercising actually enjoyable. Thank you again.
Yes, I was just looking for the calendar to
print so I can check off the days as I go as in previous challenges. Did I miss it somewhere?
Spark coach advised me to do strength exercises as well as walking and jogging, and I didn’t! Look forward to trying this. I shall be travelling, so glad of exercises suitable for a hotel room. Shan’t be able to take weights but, as you say, something is better than nothing. Adding 500 steps a week is realistic advice. I’m on 9k at the moment. Shall try 9,500 next week. Won’t work when I’m bussing and flying, but otherwise should be ok. Thank you Jessica! Shall try to start today, get a head start!
I’m in
Sounds like just the right thing for me right now. Thank you!
Thank you Jessica. I love your workouts but have gotten away from them recently because of some life issues that have come along. I am going to start fresh with your Summer of Strength on Monday and I am looking forward to it!
Sooo excited! I do one of your exercises everyday and I love it!
Absolutely love this format! Your strength and cardio workouts are sneaky hard and effective. Love your workouts…always just what i need. From your fusions, to your balance ones, to your yoga for back pain….I can always find a workout you offer for what my body needs that day. Thank you!
I want (and need) a calendar I can use as a daily goal and check off.
Agnel Eicher – I am with you. I just was about to make my own wall calendar so I can keep track. In addition, I am making a youtube folder with the workouts (in order). So when I wake up at 5am! I am not trying to figure out whats next on the list.
Jessica Smith – I tell everyone one about your videos. Hands down the only one I follow for my workouts.
I love the idea of putting the workouts in order in a YouTube folder!