As the holiday season approaches, it’s easy to let our health and fitness goals fall by the wayside in favor of festive indulgences. However, what if I told you that you could maximize your festive fitness and enjoy a healthier season with just a quick holiday workout? Picture this: instead of feeling sluggish and guilty after every holiday feast, imagine feeling energized, confident, and ready to take on the festivities without any guilt or worry about derailing your fitness progress. Get ready to discover how a quick and effective holiday workout can help you feel your best during this joyful time of year.
Tabata Workouts are Highly Effective
Tabata workouts are quick and intense. Despite their brief duration, Tabata workouts are highly effective. They combine both cardiovascular and strength training exercises, making them a perfect choice for a holiday workout.
The formula is simple. For each round perform:
- 20 seconds of intense work
- 10 seconds of rest
- Repeat 8X to reach 4 minutes
Not only do Tabata workouts save time during the busy holiday season, but they also provide numerous benefits. By pushing your body to its limits in short bursts of high-intensity exercise, you can boost your metabolism and burn calories long after the workout is over. This means that even as you indulge in holiday treats, your body will be working hard to maintain its calorie-burning furnace.
To get started with a Tabata holiday workout, choose four different exercises that target various muscle groups and elevate your heart rate. For example, you could include jumping jacks or burpees for cardio endurance, squats or lunges for lower body strength, push-ups or tricep dips for upper body toning, and planks for core strength.
Perform 1 to 4 rounds with 1 minute between each round. As with any workout, include a warm-up and cool down. Form is critical when moving quickly and intensely, so work with a professional to make sure you are performing exercises with proper alignment and range-of-motion.
Here is a quick workout to perform this holiday season that hits major muscle groups in a short amount of time. You may also want to try a HIIT workout! Learn why HIIT is a great quick workout options in this post: Revitalize Your Fitness with a 20-Minute HIIT Workout for Max EPOC Effect
14 MINUTE QUICK HOLIDAY WORKOUT
Warm-Up – 5 Minutes
Tabata Protocol – 4 Minutes
Perform as many reps as possible per exercise.
Use the formula 20 seconds Work/10 seconds Rest – Repeat
- Jumping Jacks
- Squat jumps
- Push-ups
- Russian Twists with Medicine Ball
Cool-Down (include stretching for all major muscle groups) – 5 Minutes
The key to Tabata is the timing. There are numerous apps available to help you time the intervals. Many are free and easy to use!
Check with your doctor before starting a high-intensity workout routine. Tabata style workouts are recommended 2-3 times per week.
Keep your holidays merry and bright by adding quick workouts into your holiday schedule! Incorporating a quick holiday workout into your festive season routine can make a significant difference in maintaining your health and fitness goals. By dedicating just a small portion of your day to physical activity, you can boost your energy levels, reduce stress, and stay on track during this busy time of year. Remember that even a brief workout can have long-lasting benefits for both body and mind. So, let’s make the commitment to prioritize our well-being this holiday season and embrace the opportunity to maximize our festive fitness for a healthier and happier time of year. Start today – your body will thank you!