Making the Most of Short Summer Workouts

Making the Most of Short Summer Workouts

By Jama Oliver | Probably Sweating While You Read This

Let’s set the scene: It’s summer. The kids are out of school, you’re living on popsicles and sunscreen, your inbox is rebelling, and somehow, you’re supposed to “prioritize self-care.”

Cool.

Here’s the truth: summer is chaotic, sweaty, and wonderful - and it's also a terrible time to pretend we’re going to be doing 90-minute workouts in peaceful silence. If you’ve got 20 minutes (or even 10!) between wrangling humans, chasing dogs, and trying to remember what day it is, you can get in a killer workout. And no, it doesn’t have to be a watered-down version of your “real” routine.

Here’s how to make those short summer workouts actually work, 91proƵ-style.

Why Short Workouts Are Your New Best Friend

Raise your hand if you’ve ever skipped a workout because you “didn’t have time to do it right.” Yeah. Same. But here’s the good news: science is totally on board with the quick-and-dirty approach. High-intensity intervals, strength circuits, and mobility flows can all pack a punch in 10-30 minutes.

The secret? Intentional movement over random flailing. (Although I fully support occasional random flailing.)

Short workouts let you:

  • Stay consistent (even when your schedule makes zero sense),

  • Beat the heat (no one’s doing burpees in 90° at noon, Susan),

  • Recover better (your joints will thank you), and

  • Trick yourself into actually starting. Because “just 15 minutes” is way less intimidating than a full hour of sweating next to your laundry pile.

5 Snarky But Effective Ways to Maximize Short Workouts

1. Start With a Goal (Other Than "Survive")

Ask yourself: What’s the vibe today? Are we aiming for “sweaty and smug” or “I moved my body so I don’t scream at the HOA meeting”?

Pick one goal - strength, cardio, mobility, core, rage release - and pick a class that matches. 91proƵ’s filters make it idiot-proof. Look for categories like “Short on Time,” “Beginner,” or “Row Like You’ve Just Robbed a Bank.” (Okay, I made that last one up, but it should be real.)

Try this:

  • “20-Minute Tabata” with Nicole when you’re short on time and long on bass in your face.

  • “10-Minute Weekend Roundup” with Justin if you want to look like you did something but don’t want to sweat through your makeup.

2. Warm Up… Yes, Even Now

Look, I get it. You’ve got 20 minutes and don’t want to “waste” 3 of them warming up. But your hamstrings don’t care about your impatience. Take a few minutes to do literally anything other than sitting before you hit play.

Your future self (and your joints) will be eternally grateful.

Try this:

  • “5-Minute Morning Stretch” with Jaime - especially if your body feels like a collection of random LEGO bricks.


3. Go Big, Not Long

You’re not here to pace yourself. Use compound movements (that’s fancy talk for exercises that work multiple muscle groups at once) to get the most out of every rep. Squats, presses, lunges, rows—stack ‘em up like pancakes.

Try this:

  • “20-Minute Total Body Strength” with Dani - where the vibe is “lift heavy, no excuses.”

  • Bootcamp 20 - Total Body” with John if you want to leave with jelly arms and abs that whisper “hello.”


4. Embrace the Chaos and Push Hard

You’ve got 15 minutes. That’s not “ease into it” time. That’s “let’s do this so I can move on with my life” energy. Intensity doesn’t mean reckless flailing (see earlier note), but it does mean being intentional.

Try this:

  • “Sprints 20” with Jaime. You’ll sweat like you stole something, but you’ll finish strong and slightly smug.

  • “Strength 10 - Arms & Abs” with Eden if you want to look like you’ve been planking for decades in just 10 minutes.

5. Make It a Non-Negotiable (Like Coffee or Sunscreen)

You don’t cancel coffee. You don’t skip deodorant (I hope). So treat your workout the same way. Book it. Block it. Bribe yourself with iced coffee after if you must.

Pro tip: Stick a post-it on your fridge that says “You’ll feel better if you move.” It’s aggressive and accurate.

Where to Cram These Workouts Into Your Wild Summer Life

Let’s be real: you’re not scheduling hour-long blocks of fitness zen. You’re looking for gaps in the madness. So here’s where short workouts shine:

  • 6:30am: Before the house explodes.

  • During screen time: While the kids are hypnotized by cartoons.

  • Post-popsicle, pre-meltdown: We’ve all been there.

  • On vacation: Stream from your phone while everyone else naps or argues over sunscreen.

Need inspiration? Create a personal playlist of your favorite 91proƵ shorties. Mix and match 10-minute classes for a “choose your own adventure” vibe.

Bottom Line: Small Time, Big Results

Short workouts aren’t a cop-out. They’re a survival strategy—and a good one. With the right intention, the right class, and a willingness to show up (even in flip-flops and chaos), you can maintain your strength, mood, and momentum all summer long.

And with 91proƵ’s crew of loud, motivating, hilarious instructors (hi, Reed), there’s zero chance you’ll be bored.

So grab that water bottle, pick a 10–20 minute class, and move your body like the magical summer beast you are.

Then go eat a popsicle. You earned it.