We know how important (and perfect) summers are in the Flathead. Between the long daylight hours, late afternoon entries into the Park, floating the river, hiking, camping, and dirt biking, there is so much to pack into a few short months. We get it!
When the sun comes out, gym attendance naturally dips. But skipping your sessions doesn’t just pause your progress - it actually starts rolling it backward. Here are three reasons why consistency right now matters more than ever:
It takes months of hard work, heavy lifting, and proper nutrition to build lean muscle mass. Unfortunately, your body operates on a "use it or lose it" policy.
Research shows that actual muscle atrophy (muscle loss) can begin in as little as 10 to 14 days of complete inactivity. While a week off for a camping trip won't ruin your progress, stepping away for a month or two (or, inconsistently attending class) means your body will actively start breaking down that hard-earned muscle. Don't let two weeks of skipped classes wipe out months of dedication!
We all remember the intense soreness of our first week of CrossFit. That’s DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness), and your body gets better at handling it the more regularly you train.
When you only show up once every week or two, your body loses that conditioning. Every single workout becomes a "restart." Instead of recovering quickly, you end up incredibly sore for days afterward, which makes you want to skip more classes. Staying consistent keeps your body adapted and keeps that brutal soreness at bay.
Think of the gym not as something competing with your summer fun, but as the thing that powers it.
Whether you are hiking up to an alpine lake, packing out a trail, or paddling a kayak, the cardiovascular endurance and functional strength you build in these walls are exactly what make those outdoor activities enjoyable. If you let your consistency slip here, those mountain hikes are going to feel a whole lot steeper.
Here’s the deal: You don't need to live at the gym right now. Switch your goal from "smashing PRs" to "maintaining consistency." Commit to a realistic schedule - and stick to it. Even better? Attend an after work class THEN go on that adventure. After all, it stays late til 10PM or later these days…
Your body (and your future self in September) will thank you!
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