Every year the same thing happens. Someone moves to the Coachella Valley, falls in love with running or hiking or cycling outdoors during the gorgeous fall and winter months, and then June arrives and it's 115 degrees at 7 AM and their entire fitness routine falls apart.
We've watched this cycle play out with hundreds of people. They train consistently from October through May, take the summer "off" because it's too hot, and come back in September having lost every bit of progress they made. Three steps forward, three steps back, year after year.
Living in the desert doesn't have to mean losing your fitness every summer. But it does require a different approach than what works the rest of the year. Here's what actually works, from a studio that's been helping people train through Coachella Valley summers since 2006.
First, Let's Talk About Why Outdoor Summer Training Is a Bad Idea Here
This isn't about being soft. This is about physics and biology. When the air temperature exceeds your body temperature (which it does for four solid months in the desert), your body's cooling system is working overtime before you even start exercising. Your heart rate is already elevated. Your blood is being diverted to your skin for cooling instead of going to your muscles for performance. You're losing fluid faster than you can replace it.
The real danger zone: Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can develop in as little as 15 to 20 minutes of intense outdoor exercise when temperatures exceed 105 degrees. The Coachella Valley regularly hits 110 to 120 degrees from June through September. Even early morning temperatures can be in the 90s. This is not a "push through it" situation. This is a safety issue.
Beyond the acute danger, working out in extreme heat also just produces worse results. Your performance drops. Your recovery takes longer. Your body is so focused on not overheating that it can't put full energy into the actual training stimulus. You're working harder for less output. It's the least efficient way to train.
The Indoor Training Advantage (It's Bigger Than You Think)
Moving your training indoors during summer isn't just about staying cool. It actually gives you some real advantages that outdoor training can't match even in perfect weather.
Your energy goes to the workout, not temperature regulation. In an air-conditioned studio, 100% of your cardiovascular output is available for training. Your body isn't splitting resources between cooling you down and powering your muscles. This means better performance, more reps, heavier weights, and ultimately better results per session.
Consistency becomes automatic. The number one reason people lose progress over summer is inconsistency. When your training depends on weather conditions, you skip days. You push sessions. You tell yourself you'll go tomorrow when it's cooler (it won't be). When you train at an indoor studio, the conditions are identical every single day. You show up at your time, the room is 72 degrees, and you do the work. No negotiation with the weather.
You have a coach watching you. When you're exercising alone in the heat, nobody notices if you're showing early signs of heat exhaustion. In our studios, your trainer is right there monitoring how you look, how you're moving, and how you're responding. That safety net matters more in summer than any other time of year.
The consistency gap: Members who train with us year-round consistently outperform members who take summers off, even if the summer members trained harder during their "on" months. Consistency beats intensity. Every time. Twelve months of showing up three times a week beats eight months of showing up five times a week.
How to Adjust Your Routine for Summer
Even training indoors, there are some smart adjustments to make during the hottest months.
Shift to morning sessions if you can. Even with indoor training, your body still knows it's hot outside. Cortisol and energy levels are affected by ambient temperature. Training in the morning before the worst heat sets in tends to produce better energy and better performance. Our early sessions at both La Quinta and Palm Springs are popular in summer for exactly this reason.
Drink more water than you think you need. Desert air is brutally dry on top of being hot. You're losing moisture just by existing, even before you start training. Start hydrating well before your workout, keep water with you during the session, and continue drinking after. If your sessions are intense, consider an electrolyte supplement to replace what you lose in sweat.
Use the heat as an excuse to add recovery work. Summer is the perfect time to add stretch therapy sessions to your routine. Your muscles are already warm (literally), flexibility work feels great, and the recovery benefits make your training sessions more productive. Think of it as an investment in the quality of your workouts rather than a step back.
Don't try to PR in July. Your body is dealing with heat stress even indoors. It's okay to maintain intensity rather than push for new personal records during the hottest months. Focus on consistency, technique, and smart programming rather than max effort. The PRs will come in fall when your body has more resources available.
Hydration rule of thumb for desert training: Drink 16 to 20 ounces of water two to three hours before training. Drink 8 ounces every 15 to 20 minutes during your session. Weigh yourself before and after a workout. For every pound lost, drink 16 ounces of water to rehydrate.
A Smart Summer Training Week
Here's what a well-structured summer week looks like for our members. The key is variety, consistency, and building in recovery.
A Note for Snowbirds
If you leave the valley during summer, talk to your trainer before you go. We can build a travel-friendly program you can do wherever you're spending the hot months. Bodyweight workouts, hotel gym routines, or recommendations for training facilities at your destination. The goal is to come back in October and pick up right where you left off instead of starting over from scratch.
And if you're new to the valley and looking for a training home that understands what it means to stay fit in this climate, the 21-Day Kickstart is the easiest way to experience everything we offer.
Don't Let the Heat Steal Your Progress
Train year-round in our fully air-conditioned studios in La Quinta and Palm Springs. Your fall self will thank you.
Get in Touch