Does your Alexa lie to you? You know, like tell you there's no snow in the forecast for the week, only to have it snow buckets the next day. Or tell you the low is 23 degrees only to walk outside and it is FIVE degrees. Literally five. That's not a typo. I can't trust that B anymore. We are done. Also, it should never be this cold. If you're sick of me complaining about how cold it is here, it's going to happen for the rest of Winter, so apologies in advance. Count your blessings if you are somewhere that currently reaches above the freezing mark. I'll just be here chilling by my space heater.
I know that many of you are probably struggling to find the motivation to get your workout in right now. It's only a few days before Christmas, there's so much going on, and it's Winter, which means staying in and sipping hot chocolate while watching Christmas movies sounds a whole lot more appealing than changing clothes and driving to the gym. Listen, if anyone can talk about lack of motivation to go workout, it's me. I HATE THE COLD. Like, literally, despise it. I would rather it be 100° with super high humidity than anywhere close to freezing. I'm the biggest wimp when it comes to cold temperatures. I know this, and I accept this about myself. Anyways, it is a daily struggle to get myself up off the couch where I can be snuggled up in blankets, with fuzzy socks on my feet, space heater pointed directly at me, and out into the frozen tundra outside. So what do I do?
I go anyways. Even when I really don't want to go, because generally, the most difficult part about going to the gym in the Winter, is just getting there in the first place. Once you're there, you're there, and you might as well get a good sweat in before you head back out in to the cold to drive home.
You guys don't need me to tell you all the benefits to working out. You already know them. Repeat them to yourself next time you're thinking about skipping out on your gym sesh: increased energy and productivity, increased focus, stress relief, calorie burn, better mental clarity, a chance to decompress and focus on yourself, time away from your hectic schedule, the list goes on! Also, when have you ever regretted taking the time to head to the gym to workout?
I get it, this is the busiest time of the year! Sometimes we just don't have the time to get everything together, drive to the gym, workout, change, and get back to work or whatever else you have going on. However, I BET that almost every single one of you has thirty spare minutes, even in the busiest of days. Here's my challenge to you: save this workout for that busy day. Take those thirty spare minutes, and use them for yourself. I promise you, you won't regret it.
There are two versions of this at-home workout. The first version is bodyweight only/no equipment needed. The second version requires a set of dumbbells. You can even save both and use them on different days! They'll each give you a totally different burn.
Version 1:
Version 2:
For each of these workouts, you will perform each movement repetitively, and as quickly as possible, for 40 seconds straight. Then, rest for 20 seconds before moving on to the next movement. After completing all movements on the list, take a full minute of rest before repeating the workout for 5 total rounds. Your running clock will end at 30 minutes including all rest times.
These are also perfect travel workouts to do in a hotel gym or just some extra space in the house you're staying at. Maybe you can even get some of your family members involved! Think of it as the perfect way to kick off your holiday festivities :).
Look for video demos of the movements to post first thing tomorrow morning on my Instagram @trishwassy.