Christmas is a time for dodgy festive jumpers, mince pies by the bucketload and Baileys. For this reason, the festive period can be hazardous to our waistlines.
However, at Simply Gym, we are making it our business to keep you on the straight and narrow. While we would never ask you to ditch the Quality Streets, we are encouraging our members to stay active in the run-up to Saint Nick’s arrival.
So, without further ado, here are our 12 workouts of Christmas; exercises that you can do in between turkey-based treats!
Sit-ups
While a bit of an obvious one, sit-ups simply do the trick. As well as being a great way to keep the festive beer belly at bay, they are also easy to do and require no equipment whatsoever.
Sprints
Sprints are renowned for getting that heart rate up quickly; something we all need a hand with when the calories of Christmas start to roll in!
Burpees
Now, when we recommend burpees, we are not referring to the release of gas from the digestive tract after a fizzy G&T. Instead, we are suggesting the gruelling burpee workout; a full body strength training exercise that is the ultimate example of functional fitness.
Bear Crawl
Bear Crawling off that extra turkey and stuffing sandwich is always a good idea. Working the core muscles in particular, crawling your way through December will certainly have its benefits in January.
Push-ups
Even if your mental strength to stay away from the chocolate cupboard deteriorates over Xmas, you can keep your physical strength up by doing a few push-ups throughout December.
Cycling
As you will have seen by the new equipment in our gyms, we love to cycle. Known for improving joint mobility, cycling over Xmas will ensure you do not end up a couch potato. Albeit a crispy one cooked in goose fat!
Squats
If you start to feel a bit sluggish during the festivities, doing a few squats at home can inject you with the joy of Christmas, getting those legs moving and generally making you feel healthier.
Glute Bridge
The Glute Bridge is one of the most effective exercises to tone the glutes and the hamstrings. Carry out a few in the run-up to Christmas can give a whole new meaning to the term ‘bottoms up!’.
Walking Lunge
Are you one of those families that love a Christmas Day walk? If so, why not incorporate a lunge into the mix? Walking Lunges can help you keep those pins in shape; transforming the afternoon walk into a low-intensity outdoor workout.
Plank
While this may be your nickname for that Uncle you only see at Christmas, the Plank is also an exercise that works glutes and hamstrings, supports proper posture, and improves balance.
Leg Raises
Now we have heard of raising a glass at Christmas, cheersing to family and new beginnings. This Christmas, we recommend in addition to prosecco, you raise a leg, with Leg Raises working the lower and upper abdominal muscles rather well.
Star jumps
Is there anything more festive than a star? We think not! That’s why partaking in a few Star Jumps this Christmas is a rather fitting way to conclude your 12 workouts of Christmas.
So, there you have it; our 12 workouts of Christmas!
