Get Festive with These Holiday-Themed Workouts

The holidays are here and let’s face it—your fitness routine is competing with sugar cookies, Hallmark movies on the couch, and last-minute shopping (which might count as cardio). 

That’s why we’re helping you add a little festive flair to your workouts this week! Ready to sleigh? Keep reading to get ten workout ideas that’ll have you sweating, lifting, and getting into the holiday spirit!

Jingle Bell Warm-Up

Everyone needs a good warm-up before a workout! Warm up like you’re going caroling—minus the awkward eye contact.

How to do it:

1. Hop on the treadmill or head outside for a brisk walk or light jog.

2. Keep moving for 3-5 minutes until you’re feeling ready to take on the main event.

(Bonus points if you sing “Good King Wenceslas” while you’re walking.)

Sleigh Ride Sled Push

Santa’s gotta get that sleigh out of the garage for another long night of delivering presents. Are you up to the task? 

How to do it:

1. Load up one of the sleds on the workout floor with your desired amount of weight (which might be no weight!). 

2. Stand behind the sled and grab the handles with a high-grip hand position.

3. Drive through your legs and push the sled across the floor.

4. Do 3 to 5 sets of back-and-forth, resting in between. 

Dreidel Twists

Spin your way to a stronger core with this Hanukkah-inspired move.

How to do it:

1. Sit on the floor with knees bent, feet flat on the floor, leaning back at a 45-degree angle.

2. Holding a medicine ball, twist slowly from right to left, touching the medicine ball to the floor on each side. 

3. Perform three sets of 12-15 reps per side.

On Dancer! On Prancer!

Grab those battle ropes, and imagine you’re guiding the best reindeer team ever. You’ll know just how sore Santa feels on December 26th. 

How to do it:

1. Hold one end of the battle ropes in each hand.

2. Stance with knees slightly bent and core tight.

3. Create alternating waves with the ropes for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

4. Rest for 30 seconds and repeat for four rounds.

Snowball Toss

Prepare to dominate your next backyard battle.

How to do it:

1. Use a medicine ball and head to the multi-purpose room for wall balls

2. Stand in front of the wall, holding your medicine ball at chest level.

3. Squat and then quickly drive up through your legs as you throw the ball up to hit the wall. Aim 4 to 5 feet above your head. 

4. Squat and catch the ball as it comes down. 

5. Perform three 20-second sets followed by 20 seconds of rest.

6. Repeat as many times as you want!

Gift Lift

Got a pile of presents to haul? This move will ensure you’re ready for all the heavy lifting come Christmas morning.

How to do it:

1. Head to the Strength Studio and set up your barbell. It’s time for deadlifts!

2. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and brace your core.

3. Push your hips back and bend your knees to reach the bar.

4. Grab the bar just outside the knees.

5. Extend your chest, flattening out your back.

6. Push down through your feet and lift the bar up past your knees, pushing your hips forward to finish the lift.

7. Push your hips back and slide the bar back down, bending your knees to return the bar to the starting position.

Christmas Tree Topper

Put that magical finishing touch on the tree without pulling any muscles this year.

How to do it:

1. Exercise 1: Overhead Tricep Stretch

• Stand tall and extend one arm overhead.

• Bend the raised arm at the elbow and reach your hand down toward the middleof your upper back.

• Use your opposite hand to gently pull your raised elbow closer to your head.

• Maintain this position for 20-30 seconds, breathing into the stretch a little deeper as time passes. 

• Slowly release and repeat with the other arm.

2. Exercise 2: Block Sandwich Lift

• Grab two yoga blocks from the Mind Body Studio.

• Hold one block between your elbows and hold one block between your hands.

• Keep elbows bent 90 degrees and back flat.

• Slowly lift elbows up and back as far as you can comfortably and the slowly back down.

• Repeat 8 to 12 times.

Kinara Circuit

Celebrate Kwanzaa with a workout inspired by the seven candles of the Kinara. Seven exercises. Seven minutes. You’ve got this.

How to do it:

1. Perform these exercises for 1 minute each, resting for 10 seconds between each:

• Jumping jacks

• Push-ups

• Squats

• Planks

• Tricep dips

• High knees

• Wall sit

Speed Skater

Ready to be the fastest skater at the rink this year?

How to do it:

1. Start in a slight squat position.

2. Leap laterally to one side, landing softly on one foot.

3. Immediately jump to the other side.

4. Continue for 3 sets of 20 jumps.

Solstice Salutation

Celebrate the return of the days with sunshine that lasts longer than 4:00pm with a slow yoga flow to connect with your mind and body.

How to do it:

1. Start in Mountain Pose, taking a deep breath.

2. Perform a series of sun salutations, linking each pose with your breath:

• Mountain pose

• Forward fold

• Plank

• Upward-facing dog

• Downward-facing dog

• Walk your hands and feet to the top of the mat.

• Forward fold.

• Slowly rise up one vertebrate at a time, returning to mountain pose.

3. Repeat until you’re feeling some of that holiday stress melting off.

Celebrate with Western this Holiday Season

Western’s got the holiday season covered with membership deals, “home for the holidays” membership rates, our 2024 gift guide, holiday events, and some fun with Flex, our new Elf on the Shelf! Visit westernracquet.com/holidays to check out what’s happening this month and get in on the holiday fun!