There's nothing wrong with taking time to yourself and skipping a workout or two. If you would describe your holiday season as "doing the most" and are ready to get back into a fitness routine, ease your way into it with this simple strengthening workout.
This total-body workout takes approximately 20 minutes to complete, and it can be done anywhere — great for avoiding the gym mayhem. Do it solo or grab a friend to join you.
The Workout
Don't forget to warm up [1] before starting the workout. You'll perform this workout as a circuit, meaning you'll take little to no rest in between each exercise. Once you've completed all five exercises, take 90 seconds of rest and then repeat it for a total of five rounds.
- Side elbow plank with a twist: 10 reps on each side
- Side lunge to curtsy squat: 12 reps on each side
- Basic push-up: 12 reps
- Reverse lunge with a knee drive: 12 reps on each side
- Mountain climber: 15 reps
Side Elbow Plank With a Twist
- Start in side elbow plank on your right side, with your feet stacked one on top of the other. Keep your weight on your right elbow with your fingers reaching away from your body. If you feel unstable with your feet stacked, stagger your feet by bringing your left foot in front of your right.
- Place your left arm behind your head, and inhale to prepare.
- Exhale, pull your navel to your spine engaging your deep abs, and bring your left elbow to your right hand twisting through your ribcage.
- Return to the starting position to complete one rep.
- Complete 10 reps one each side.
Side Lunge to Curtsy Squat
- Step your right leg wide to the left, coming into a lateral lunge, bending your right knee. Keep your chest lifted and your weight in your right heel.
- Push off with your right foot, and cross the right leg behind your left, coming into a curtsy squat, bending both knees. This completes one rep.
- Complete 12 reps on each side.
Basic Push-Up
- Start in a plank position with your arms and legs straight, shoulders above your wrists.
- Take a breath in, and as you exhale, bend your elbows out to the sides and lower your chest toward the ground. Stop as soon as your shoulders are in line with your elbows. Inhale to straighten the arms. This counts as one rep.
- If this is too difficult, do this exercise with your knees on the floor.
- Complete 12 reps.
Reverse Lunge With a Knee Drive
- Stand with your feet together. Take a controlled lunge (or large step) backward with your left foot.
- As you lunge back with your left foot, drive your left arm forward to maintain your balance.
- Lower your hips so that your right thigh (front leg) becomes parallel to the floor and your right knee is positioned directly over your ankle. Keep your left knee bent at a 90-degree angle and pointing toward the floor. Your left heel should be lifted.
- From the ground, drive your left knee up, coming into a standing position with your left leg lifted at a 90-degree angle. Simultaneously drive your right arm up to maintain your balance.
- If it's too hard to come into the knee drive from the lunge, step your left foot in to meet your right, then raise your left knee up.
- This is considered one rep.
- Complete 12 reps on each leg.
Mountain Climber
- Start on your hands and toes with your body in a straight line from shoulders to hips.
- Bring your right knee in towards your chest, and as you return your foot to the ground immediately bring your left knee in towards your chest. This counts as one rep.
- Complete 15 reps.