Avoid the stress of the New Year’s rush and get a head start on hitting the gyms! Put your best foot forward ahead of the pack before the holidays are over with Core Collective’s 12 Days of Christmas Workout.
'Tis the season for holiday cheer and indulging in delicious treats, but that doesn't mean we have to completely neglect our fitness goals. In fact, incorporating some festive exercises into your routine can help burn off all those extra cookies and wholesome turkey.
Put your best foot forward ahead of the pack before the holidays are over with Core Collective’s 12 Days of Christmas Workout.
Featuring exercises demonstrated by Dr Arun Jayaraj, a medically-trained doctor and personal trainer based in Singapore.
Reindeer hops: Start in a squat position with your hands on the ground in front of you. Jump up, bringing your feet off the ground and your hands off the ground, and land with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Jump back into the squat position, and repeat for a set number of reps. This exercise works your legs and core, and the jumping motion adds a cardiovascular element to your workout.
Elf plank jacks: Start in a plank position, with your hands on the ground and your body in a straight line. Jump your feet out to the sides, then back in, while maintaining the plank position. This exercise works your core and upper body, and the jumping motion adds a cardiovascular element to your workout.
Gingerbread man sprints: Find a flat, open space, and mark off a series of distances. Sprint from one mark to the next, then walk back to the starting point to recover. This exercise works your legs and cardiovascular system, and the holiday theme adds a fun twist.
Wrapping paper squats: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, and hold a towel or piece of wrapping paper in both hands, stretched out in front of you. Squat down, then stand back up, using the towel to help you balance. This exercise works your legs and core, and the added resistance of the towel makes it more challenging.
Candy cane lunges: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, and hold a towel or piece of wrapping paper in both hands, stretched out in front of you. Step forward with one foot, and lower your body until your thigh is parallel to the ground. Push off with your front foot to return to the starting position, then repeat with the other leg. This exercise works your legs and improves balance and stability.
Santa Claus push-ups: Start in a plank position, with your hands on the ground and your body in a straight line. Lower your body toward the ground, then push back up while bringing one knee towards your elbow on each rep. This exercise works your upper body and core, and the added movement of the knee tuck adds a challenge to the classic push-up.
Snowman burpees: Start standing with your feet shoulder-width apart. Squat down, then jump your feet back into a plank position. Do a push-up, then jump your feet back up to your hands. Stand up and jump, reaching your hands towards the sky. This full-body exercise works your legs, core, and upper body, and the added jumping element adds a cardiovascular element to your workout.
Jingle bell jacks: Start standing with your feet together, and hold a pair of small hand weights or jingle bells in your hands. Jump your feet out to the sides, then back together, while simultaneously pressing the weights overhead. This exercise works your legs and upper body, and the added resistance of the weights makes it more challenging.
Mistletoe mountain climbers: Start in a plank position, with your hands on the ground and your body in a straight line. Bring one knee towards your chest, then back to the starting position, then repeat with the other leg. Continue alternating legs for a set number of reps. This exercise works your core and upper body, and the added movement of the mountain climbers adds a cardiovascular element to your workout.
Sleighbell swings: Start standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a pair of dumbbells or a kettlebell in front of you. Hinge at the hips, and swing the weights between your legs, then drive your hips forward and swing the weights up to shoulder height. This exercise works your legs and upper body, and the added resistance of the weights makes it more challenging.
Candy cane step-ups: To do this exercise, you will need a step or bench. Stand facing the step with your feet shoulder-width apart. Step up onto the step with one foot, then bring the other foot up to meet it. Step back down with one foot, then the other, and repeat for a set number of reps. This exercise works your leg muscles, and the added height of the step adds a challenge. You can hold a pair of dumbbells at your sides to increase the difficulty.
Frosty the Snowman squats: To do this exercise, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms extended out in front of you as if you are holding a snowball. Squat down, then stand back up and repeat for a set number of reps. This exercise works your leg muscles, and the added movement of the arms adds a challenge to the classic squat. You can hold a pair of dumbbells or a medicine ball in your "snowball" to increase the difficulty.
Remember to warm up before starting any exercise routine and to stretch afterwards to prevent injury. Add a festive twist to your workouts and fit in a few easy, sweaty, and jolly exercises to stay on track with your fitness goals during the holiday season.
Ready to kickstart your New Year’s training ahead of time? We challenge you to complete our 12 Days of Christmas workout!
Connect with Dr Arun on his Instagram and TikTok.
Looking to work on sustainable weight loss with an experienced personal trainer? Contact Dr Arun to schedule a Personal Training trial and consultation to explore the possibility of working together.
Featured Contributor:
Arun is a doctor (MBBS degree from King’s College London - 14th in the world) and a qualified fitness coach (UK Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training). He also has a previous degree in Biomedical Science (BSc Hons degree from King’s College London).
He specializes in safe and sustainable weight loss for men. He achieves this through evidence-backed methods and constantly updates himself on new scientific research.
His services are delivered through 1:1 in-person training sessions and habit coaching online. He believes that this hybrid method is optimal for success with one’s weight loss journey.
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