School schedules quietly do a lot of heavy lifting.
They create structure. Predictability. Rhythm.
So when school’s out—summer break, winter break, long weekends—it’s not just the kids’ routines that change. Yours does too.
Workouts slide.
Bedtimes drift.
“I’ll go tomorrow” becomes a habit.
But here’s the good news:
You don’t need a brand-new fitness plan when your kids are off school.
You need a modified version of the one that already works.
Why keeping a “school-year rhythm” matters
Most parents don’t lose fitness during breaks because they stop caring.
They lose it because the anchors disappear.
Training works best when it’s:
tied to a time of day
attached to an existing habit
expected, not optional
When school’s out, the goal isn’t to maintain intensity or performance.
The goal is continuity.
A lighter version of your usual routine beats starting over every time.
Keep the same days, even if the workouts change
Protect your training days first, then adjust everything else.
If you normally train Monday, Wednesday, Friday... keep those days.
Shorter session? Fine.
Scaled workout? Perfect.
Different class time? Great.
What matters is showing your brain that training still belongs in your week. Avoid “I’ll just go when I can” mode... That’s how routines quietly disappear.
Lower the bar on intensity, not consistency
This is not the season to chase PRs.
It is the season to:
move your body
break a sweat
maintain strength and joint health
protect your stress levels
At our gym, that might look like:
choosing a lighter weight than usual
scaling conditioning more aggressively
skipping the “Post WOD”
Consistency compounds. Intensity is optional.
Use your gym’s structure to your advantage
One of the biggest benefits of coached classes is that you don’t have to think.
You show up.
The plan exists.
A coach guides the hour.
If you train at CFM:
book classes ahead of time
treat them like non-negotiable appointments
lean on your coach for smart scaling during busy weeks
Decision fatigue is real, especially for parents.
Reduce decisions. Protect energy.
Involve your kids when it helps, not when it hurts
Some kids love seeing their parents train.
let kids sit with a book or tablet
frame your workout as your time
You’re not just staying consistent.
You’re modeling what self-care looks like in real life.
Remember: this season ends
Breaks feel long while you’re in them.
Then suddenly, school starts again, routines return, calendars fill up.
Parents who keep some version of their training routine during breaks don’t have to “start over.”
They simply turn the volume back up.
That’s the advantage.
Need help adjusting your routine for a busy season?
At CrossFit Mokena, this kind of coaching is built into how we work with parents year-round.
You don’t need perfect conditions.
You need continuity.
Your future self will thank you.
~Coach Christie