The holiday season is upon us, and while it’s a time for indulging in delicious treats and spending quality time with loved ones, it’s also essential to stay active and maintain a healthy lifestyle. But who said workouts have to be boring? This year, let’s bring some festive fun into our fitness routines with these Christmas themed workouts that will have you jingling your bells and feeling as merry as ever. So, please put on your Santa hat, and let’s get moving!
Deck the Halls with Fitness Fun
‘Tis the season to be jolly and what better way to embrace the holiday spirit than by turning your living room into a fitness wonderland? Start by decorating your workout space with twinkling lights, garlands, and ornaments to create a festive atmosphere. Now, let’s dive into the fun exercises that will have you feeling like a Christmas elf in no time!
- Gift Box Squats: Place a sturdy gift box on the floor and stand in front of it. Lower yourself into a squat position as if you’re picking up the box, then stand back up. Repeat for 10-15 reps to tone your legs and glutes.
- Jingle Bell Lunges: Hold a pair of jingle bells in your hands and take a step forward into a lunge position. As you lunge, bring the bells down towards your front foot, then return to the starting position. Alternate legs and complete 10-12 reps on each side to work your legs and shoulders.
- Candy Cane Crunches: Lie on your back with your legs bent and feet flat on the floor. Place your hands behind your head, interlacing your fingers. Lift your upper body off the ground, reaching your left elbow towards your right knee, then switch sides. Repeat for 15-20 reps to strengthen your core.
- Sleigh Push-Ups: Get into a push-up position with your hands placed slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. As you lower yourself towards the ground, imagine you’re pushing a sleigh through the snow. Push back up and repeat for 8-10 reps to sculpt your chest and arms.
Santa’s Sweat Session: Reindeer Routines
Santa may be busy delivering presents, but that doesn’t mean we can’t channel our inner reindeer and join in on the fitness fun! These reindeer inspired workouts will have you feeling as nimble and strong as Dasher, Dancer, and Prancer.
- Rudolph’s Run: Start with a light jog or brisk walk to warm up. Then, pick up the pace and run as fast as you can for 1 minute, imagining you’re leading Santa’s sleigh through the night sky. Slow down to a recovery pace for 2 minutes, then repeat the cycle 5 times for an energizing cardio workout.
- Dasher’s Dash: Find a clear space and mark two spots about 20 feet apart. Start at one spot and sprint to the other as fast as you can, then jog back to the starting point. Repeat this sprint-jog pattern for 10-12 rounds to improve your speed and agility.
- Prancer’s Planks: Get into a plank position, resting on your forearms and toes. Engage your core and hold the position for as long as you can, imagining you’re gracefully prancing through the snow. Aim for 30-60 seconds and gradually increase the time as you get stronger.
Sleigh Your Way to a Fitter You
If you’re looking for a full-body workout that will leave you feeling like a champion, then it’s time to hop on Santa’s sleigh and get ready to sweat! These high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts will challenge your endurance and torch those holiday calories.
- Sleigh Bell Circuits: Set a timer for 30 seconds of work and 10 seconds of rest. Perform each exercise at maximum effort, then rest for 10 seconds before moving on to the next exercise. Repeat the circuit 3 times. Exercises include jumping jacks, burpees, mountain climbers, squat jumps, and high knees.
- Santa’s Surprise: Create a circuit of 5-6 exercises that target different muscle groups. Perform each exercise for 45 seconds, then rest for 15 seconds before moving on to the next exercise. Repeat the circuit 3 times. Exercises could include push-ups, squats, lunges, tricep dips, planks, and bicycle crunches.
Jingle Bell Jog: Merry Cardio Mania
If you enjoy the great outdoors and want to take your festive fitness to the streets, then a jingle bell jog is the perfect way to get your heart pumping and enjoy the holiday decorations in your neighborhood. Lace up your running shoes, grab a friend, and hit the pavement with these merry cardio workouts!
- Christmas Carol Run: Choose a playlist of your favorite holiday tunes and go for a jog or run while singing along to the music. Challenge yourself by increasing your pace during the upbeat songs and slowing down during the slower ones. Not only will this keep you entertained, but it will also add a little extra fun to your workout.
- Holiday Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of festive items or decorations you’re likely to find in your neighborhood, such as a house with Christmas lights, a snowman, or a wreath on a door. Go for a jog and try to spot as many items as possible within a certain time frame. This will keep you engaged and motivated to keep moving.
Mistletoe Muscles: Tinsel Toned Body
If your goal is to sculpt and tone your body during the holiday season, then it’s time to add some mistletoe magic to your workout routine. These strength training exercises will help you build lean muscles and give you that tinsel toned physique.
- Jingle Bell Dumbbell Curls: Hold a pair of dumbbells in your hands and let your arms hang by your sides. Keeping your elbows close to your body, curl the dumbbells towards your shoulders, then slowly lower them back down. Perform 10-12 reps to target your biceps.
- Snowflake Shoulder Press: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand. Raise the dumbbells to shoulder height, then press them overhead until your arms are fully extended. Lower the dumbbells back down to shoulder level and repeat for 10-12 reps to work your shoulders.
- Christmas Tree Tricep Dips: Sit on the edge of a sturdy chair or bench, placing your hands on the edge with your fingers pointing towards your body. Walk your feet forward, sliding your bottom off the seat. Bend your elbows and lower your body towards the ground, then push back up to the starting position. Complete 10-12 reps to target your triceps.
Frosty’s Fit Challenge: Snowball Strength
Last but not least, it’s time to embrace the winter wonderland and challenge your strength with Frosty’s Fit Challenge. These exercises will have you feeling like a snowball powerhouse, ready to take on any holiday activity that comes your way.
- Snowball Squats: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a medicine ball or a heavy object, such as a kettlebell, in front of your chest. Lower yourself into a squat position, keeping the weight close to your body, then stand back up. Repeat for 10-12 reps to work your legs and glutes.
- Icy Plank Hold: Get into a plank position, resting on your hands and toes. Engage your core and hold the position for as long as you can, imagining you’re standing strong on a frozen lake. Aim for 30-60 seconds and challenge yourself to increase the time with each attempt.
- Snow Angel Sit-Ups: Lie on your back with your arms and legs outstretched, forming a snow angel shape. Lift your upper body off the ground, reaching your hands towards your toes, then slowly lower back down. Repeat for 15-20 reps to strengthen your core.
This holiday season, let’s make fitness fun and festive with these Christmas themed workouts. Whether you’re decking the halls with fitness fun, joining Santa’s sweat session, sleighing your way to a fitter you, jingling your bells with a merry cardio mania, toning your body with mistletoe muscles, or challenging your strength with Frosty’s Fit Challenge, there’s a workout for everyone. So, put on your reindeer antlers, blast some holiday tunes, and let’s make this the most active and joyful holiday season yet.