You can stay or get in shape over Spring Break regardless of where you are or what equipment is available.

Jenna Daniels, personal trainer at the Recreation Center, has easy-to-follow Spring Break workout tips which range from creating achievable goals to finding ways to fuel the body with the energy workouts require.

A gym isn’t necessary in order to get a good workout, Daniels said.

The Internet provides a variety of easy-to-follow workouts that can be done just about anywhere. Even if Internet access isn’t available, there are simple body weight workouts that can be done.

Daniels said she stresses that beginners take their workouts lightly at first and work their way up.

“Don’t do something you can’t do,” Daniels said. “Start off with looking through YouTube videos. You can find some great workouts there. Start with body weight workouts like lunges, squats, triceps dips and pushups, and then progress to machines and dumbbells.”

Daniels emphasized the importance of not being afraid to hit the weights if available. She said a lot of people tend to stick to cardio, which is great for burning calories, but it’s the muscles that come with weight training that will continue to burn calories throughout the day even after you’re done working out. Everyday objects like water bottles or jugs can act as weights for a little added intensity, she said.

Getting or staying in shape doesn’t have to mean spending hours at the gym for those who don’t have access to one.

Daniels said doing at least 30 minutes of medium-intensity cardio is sufficient, and adding stabilization exercises helps, too. She said people often neglect their core, which is essential for a balanced body. Stabilization exercises, such as planks, will help work those deeper muscles and maintain a strong core, which will improve posture and flatten your tummy just in time for swimsuit season.

It’s important to keep in mind everyone is different when it comes to working out and staying in shape. Just have fun and staying in shape during Spring Break will be a breeze.

“Just find the right kind of balance and continue to stay on that general balance and don’t get discouraged,” Daniels said.

It may be hard at first, but it’ll pay off in the long run not only for Spring Break but for summer, too.