For a lot of people, the holidays mean you have to travel somewhere to see family. It might not be far, but you might still have to leave your city. This means your whole workout routine might be sacrificed because you don’t have your own gym to work out in. Plus, how many gyms are going to be open on Christmas Day? Probably not too many. You can use these workouts to plan ahead for the holidays as you get ready to travel.
Even if you don’t have to travel, you may still be pressed for time with visitors, opening presents, etc. You can still use these workouts if you are short on time as well. They are meant to be short and sweet. You will want to stay on track towards your fitness goal, yet remember that the holiday season is all about seeing family and friends! With these three below workouts, you can get the best of both worlds.
Workout #1 (Full Body) – Dumbbell Circuit
This workout will require you to bring a pair of dumbbells with you to wherever you are traveling to. Either that, or hopefully the person’s house you are traveling to will have a pair. Either way, as long as you plan ahead you will be just fine. All exercises will be done for one minute straight.
Exercises: DB Lunge, Turkish Get-Up, Squat, Bench Press, Single Arm Row, Curls, Push-ups (on dumbbells), Lunges, Overhead Press
Workout Time: 25 Minutes
Workout Type: Two (2) – 10 Minute Circuits (5 minutes rest in between)
Workout #2 (Upper Body) – Push-ups, Paused Push-ups, Bench Dips
Exercises: Push-ups (to failure), Paused Push-ups (pause at 3 different heights for 10 seconds each – for 3 reps), Bench Dips (3 sets of 8-12)
Workout Time: 20 Minutes
Workout Type: Three – 5 Minute Circuits (2-3 minute rest between)
Workout #3 (Lower Body) – Jump Rope, Bodyweight Squats, Static Squat Holds, Calf Raises
Exercises: Jump Rope (ease into it on first circuit, then all out on other circuits), Bodyweight Squats (1 minute straight), Static Squat Holds (Sit at parallel against a wall – 1 minute), Calf Raises (75 reps as fast as possible)
Workout Time: 25 Minutes
Workout Type: Three – 6 Minute Circuits (3 minute rest between)
Summary
I gave three workout options for you to try out so each one can fit into your current training regimen. The first is for a full body workout, the second one is upper body, and the third workout is for your lower body. This way you won’t have any excuse as to why you didn’t get a workout in! It covers all the bases. No matter what “body part day” Christmas falls on, you can at least have a quick workout you are able to do!
I understand that these are most likely NOT typical workouts that you perform. However, Christmas Day is also not typical. So, these workouts took into consideration the fact that you most likely will be VERY limited on equipment as well as space. However, as fitness enthusiasts, we don’t find reasons why we can’t work out. We find every way possible why we CAN work out! They may not be in line with your current regimen, but you will be much better off performing one of these workouts than not working out at all.
The most important thing during the holiday season to remember is 30 minutes! That is all you need to perform any of these workouts. This is not some weird infomercial-type of saying here. I do believe that everyone probably has 30 minutes they can spare on any given day to work out! Whether it is right when you wake up or right before bed, I think we all have a little bit of time to squeeze in that quick workout.
So…when is the best time to perform these workouts?
I get this question a lot. Should I work out on Christmas Day right when I wake up? Before I sleep? When? My answer usually surprises people. If you are anything like me, there is always that ONE relative who seems to annoy you no matter what. They either tell these unbelievably annoying stories, or maybe they just run around acting all crazy. I say do this workout RIGHT when they begin talking to you, or when they start to annoy you. Ok, I am kidding (half way). My point is that it will be up to you when it will be most convenient. I would be lying though if I said I haven’t used one of these workouts right in the middle of the day when I got annoyed! It just provided a nice little de-stressor and re-energized me for the rest of the day around the ones I love! That, and it also made me feel better about the feast I knew I was going to have for supper just a few hours later.
The most important factor is just to plan ahead. As long as you plan ahead (even if it is just to workout before you leave your house on Christmas Day) you will be just fine. Don’t put yourself in a position where you are scrambling trying to get a workout in. Make it a priority and you will get it done. I am sure your family will understand. Plus, it will probably make you much happier and feeling better about the day!
Jared Enderton – Jared is a weightlifter, personal trainer, nutrition consultant and a nationally ranked weightlifter in the United States. He has earned his Bachelor’s Degree (with honors) in Exercise Science from the University of Northern Iowa. His certifications include: ACE-PT, CrossFit Level 1, and USAW- Sports Performance. He is also a former State Champion and All-American wrestler in the state of Iowa. In addition to working as a weightlifter and a personal trainer, Jared also has an extensive background in researching and selling sports supplements.