Get fit this festive season with the 12 Days of Christmas workout

December isn’t traditionally the month of focusing on fitness. On the contrary, most of us give ourselves a bit of a break during the holiday season, and justify that second plate of food by pledging to hit the gym hard, come January.

However, doing this 12 Days of Christmas workout from Sweet and Strong every day (or every other day, if you do want to take a break) won’t take too much time out of your day, but will make getting back into your normal exercise routine just a little easier.

As you might gather from its name, the 12 Days of Christmas workout features 12 different exercises. Which makes this routine great is that you don’t need any extra equipment, so you can do it anywhere and whenever it suits you. Here’s how it works.

Run through the following exercises once, or twice or three times if you’re looking for a workout that’s a little harder.

1. Burpee with push-up
2. Sumo squats
3. Straight leg raises
4. Star jumps
5. Tricep dips
6. Bicycle crunches
7. Hip bridges
8. Mountain climbers
9. Squat jumps
10. Alternating lunges
11. Jumping jacks
12. Plank shoulder taps

Here are illustrations of the exercises, together with the recommended amount of reps. Intersperse each exercise with one burpee and push-up.

1. Burpee with push-up (1)

2. Sumo squats (2 reps)

Follow with one burpee and push-up, then continue with next exercise.

3. Straight leg raises (3 reps)

Follow with one burpee and push-up, then continue with next exercise.

4. Star jumps (4 reps)

Follow with one burpee and push-up, then continue with next exercise.

5. Tricep dips (5 reps)

Follow with one burpee and push-up, then continue with next exercise.

6. Bicycle crunches (6 reps)

Follow with one burpee and push-up, then continue with next exercise.

7. Hip bridges (7 reps)

Follow with one burpee and push-up, then continue with next exercise.

8. Mountain climbers (8 reps)

Follow with one burpee and push-up, then continue with next exercise.

9. Squat jumps (9 reps)

Follow with one burpee and push-up, then continue with next exercise.

10. Alternating lunges (10 reps)

Follow with one burpee and push-up, then continue with next exercise.

11. Jumping jacks (11 reps)

Follow with one burpee and push-up, then continue with next exercise.

12. Plank shoulder taps (12 reps)

Follow with one burpee and push-up.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and just a little bit of exercise can make it just as wonderful for your body in the new year.

Source: Sweet and Strong