•Don’t let the summer months detract you from a lifting program. A lull for even a month will result in losing gains you spend months accomplishing.•Narrowing workouts to just the core three power lifts will work. The muscles will adapt to the new routine, and you can keep to your pledge of lifting.•Core abdominal strength also must continue. Do it with the fore lifts.•Doing the core and ABA will allow you to come back at full throttle in fall. Your progress will not be thwarted by spending …