Are your summer plans coming together? Are you including some pool or beach time, or maybe some hiking or outdoor activities? If so, you might want to consider if you’ll have the strength and stamina to do what you’ve planned.

It’s a good time, then, for a refresher on the benefits of exercise and some special tips for a few “problem” areas. First up: Strength and muscle mass. If you’re planning on steering that kayak or swimming that breaststroke, you’re going to need to make sure you’ve got the goods to do so- which means putting some strength training into your summer schedule (and by the way, there are other health benefits to strength training as well). For particular focus on those arms- which many of us are reluctant to expose to the light of day- there are exercises (as well as diet choices) that can both strengthen and slim down those upper arms. So pick up that free weight and read more here.

Feeling like you need some inspiration? Perhaps you should consider the example of Susan Cowie, the founder of The Fine Line, who, at age 62, has the strength and sculpted arms to match any professional bodybuilder. Take a look at her physique, and her exercise routine, by clicking here. Or, for some further ideas of getting in shape, no matter your age or if you’ve “let things go,” take a look at this inspirational post about fitness from Next Avenue.

Finally, some of you may have gotten the fitness bug way back when through Jazzercise, the workout combining dance and fitness that lured many into the workout studio in the 80s and 90s. Well, you may not realize that it’s still going strong 50 years after it started- so grab a weight, do a squat and read more here.