Hey pureLYFT^™ fans,

Summer is here and that means it is time to get ready for beach days and BBQs! I love the summer sunshine and use every opportunity in the summer to get outside and work out. Working out outside in the summer is the best way to get in shape for “bikini season”! I have rounded up my top 5 exercises that can be done almost anywhere outside. Grab a water bottle and your tennis shoes and let’s get to it!

Lunges are a great move that works your entire lower body. Stand in a split stance with the right foot forward and the left leg back. Keeping your upper body straight, bend the knees and lower your body down until the back left knee is just a few inches from the floor. Your front right thigh should be parallel to the floor and your back left knee should point directly down to the floor. Push back and repeat switching legs.

The bridge exercise is one of my absolute favorites to do. If you are looking to strengthen your glutes, this is perfect and it also works your hamstrings as well. Lay on your back with your hands by your sides, your knees bent, and your feet flat on the ground. Raise up your hips, creating a straight line from your knees to your shoulders. Squeeze your glutes and your core and pull your belly button back towards your spine. Maintain this straight line for as long as you can, or pulse up and down while still squeezing your glutes.

A squat is a full body exercise that really strengthens the thighs and buttocks. It is very important to maintain proper form when doing the squat. Stand straight, keeping your back straight, bend at your knees. Keep your heels on the floor, pull in your abs, and lower yourself in a slow and controlled manner. Your back and upper legs should be nearly parallel with the floor. From your lowest position, push up off your heels and bring your knees back to straight.

Squat stair jumps are an effective exercise for developing your things and buttocks even further from the basic squat. Stand straight on the ground in front of a step. Drop into a squat so your thighs are parallel with the ground and immediately extend your knees and hips to jump up onto the step. Use your arms to help propel you up. Land with both feet on the ground and drop into squat position. Repeat to come back down, or continue up a series of steps.

Start in push up stance (full plank) and alternate each hand onto your forearms. Then move back into push up stance and continue moving back and forth between the planks.

Effectively completing each of these exercises will help strengthen both your upper and lower body and get you ready for any event you have coming up this summer! Completing these with an outdoor walk or a run is the perfect combination and a great way to enjoy the summer weather. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen though!

Catch Brie here for more inspiring tips.