Let’s Talk About the Phrase: “Summer Bodies Are Made in Winter” (And Why It’s Gotta Go)

You’ve probably heard it a thousand times — “summer bodies are made in winter.” It pops up like clockwork every year as the weather cools down. It’s plastered across gym ads, social media posts, and wellness marketing campaigns, usually next to a picture of someone with six-pack abs and perfectly tanned skin. And sure, at first glance, it sounds motivational. But let’s be real: this phrase is actually just body shaming in disguise.

Here’s the truth — every body is a summer body. And a winter body. And a spring and autumn one too.

So, where did this mentality come from?

This whole idea stems from a toxic belief that your body only has value when it looks a certain way — usually lean, toned, and socially “acceptable” in a swimsuit. We’ve been conditioned to believe that we need to earn the right to feel confident at the beach, wear shorts, or even enjoy summer at all.

It’s not your fault if you’ve internalised that message. We’ve all grown up in a world that profits off our insecurities — the fitness industry, diet culture, the fashion industry — they’ve been selling us the idea that we’re not good enough as we are, and that if we just work harder, eat less, or train more, we’ll finally be worthy of that “summer body.”

But let’s pause for a second and ask: who decided what a summer body even is? And why does it only come in one size?

Why the phrase is harmful — even if it “sounds motivational”

It might seem harmless or even inspiring to some, but phrases like “summer bodies are made in winter” send a very clear message: your body, right now, is not enough.
It implies that:

• Your worth is tied to how you look.
  
  

• Your current body isn’t welcome in the warmer months.
  
  

• You should be working to change yourself rather than embracing yourself.
  
  

We hear this kind of talk a lot in the wellness space, and honestly? We’re over it.

At Infinitus Health, we believe in body respect and movement that feels good, not punishment or pressure. We’re not here to “fix” anyone. We’re here to support people to feel strong, connected, and confident in their own skin — whatever the season.

Let’s change the narrative

What if instead of training for a body that fits a narrow definition of “summer-ready,” we trained for:

• Energy to play with our kids
  
  

• Strength to carry our groceries without pain
  
  

• Confidence in our own skin — not because we look a certain way, but because we feel a certain way
  
  

• Mental clarity, better sleep, and a healthier relationship with food and movement
  
  

What if we celebrated what our bodies can do, not just how they look?

Because here’s the thing: you don’t need to shrink your body to be worthy of summer. Or joy. Or anything else.

Final thoughts

If you’ve felt pressured by that phrase before, you’re not alone — we get it, we’ve felt it too. But let this be your reminder: you already have a summer body. Just like you have a winter one, a spring one, an “I’m tired and need a nap” one, and an “I just smashed a workout and feel amazing” one.

Your body doesn’t need to be transformed to be celebrated.

So, the next time you see “summer bodies are made in winter,” feel free to roll your eyes, keep moving in ways that feel good for you, and remember — you’re enough already.