Staying Active During The Holidays: Quick Workouts for Busy Days
The holiday season is a time for joy, connection, and celebration—but it’s also one of the busiest times of the year.
The holiday season is a time for joy, connection, and celebration—but it’s also one of the busiest times of the year.
Between shopping for gifts, attending gatherings, and preparing festive meals, it’s easy to let your fitness routine take a back seat.
Yet staying active during the holidays isn’t just about maintaining physical health—it’s also a great way to manage stress, boost energy, and keep your mind focused amidst the seasonal hustle.
The Benefits of Moving Your Body
Even a short burst of activity can make a big difference. Studies show that exercise can improve your mood, reduce anxiety, and enhance focus—all things we could use when managing long to-do lists! During the holidays, exercise doesn’t have to mean hours at the gym. Quick, intentional workouts can help you stay on track without derailing your already packed schedule.
Why Quick Workouts Work
The beauty of quick workouts is their efficiency. With formats like high-intensity interval training (HIIT), bodyweight circuits, or stretching flows, you can get a full-body workout in just 15–20 minutes. These routines are perfect for squeezing into your day—whether it’s early in the morning, during a lunch break, or even while waiting for the holiday cookies to bake.
Short workouts are also easier to commit to; instead of skipping exercise entirely because you can’t fit in an hour-long session, you can focus on quality over quantity.
Consistency matters more than duration, and a few minutes of movement each day can help maintain your fitness and create a healthy holiday habit.
A Gift to Yourself
Remember, staying active during the holidays is not just about burning calories—it’s a way to take care of your mental and emotional health too.
Carving out a few minutes to move each day can help you feel more present, energized, and ready to enjoy all the special moments this season brings.
Pietra Fitness Online Studio offers a variety of effective workouts you can do in 15 minutes or less, so you can stay active no matter how busy your holiday schedule gets!
Please note, you must be logged into the Online Studio to view these classes. If you are not yet a member, click here to sign up for your 14-day free trial and get started!
Chair: 15 min. Arms & Shoulders
Strengthening your arms and shoulders improves your ability to perform everyday tasks, from carrying groceries to lifting your kids. Focused arm and shoulder exercises also help enhance posture, upper body stability, and joint health.
This 15 minute class focuses on strengthening these important muscles all while sitting in a chair, making it simple to do even in a small home.
Body Weight Arms & Shoulders
Similarly, this Gentle/Intermediate level class focuses on strengthening your arms and shoulders but this time without any extra props or weights.
Using your body weight, rather than equipment, to strengthen your arms builds functional strength, balance, and stability by engaging multiple muscle groups. It also reduces injury risk, improves form and control, and offers the convenience of working out anytime, anywhere, without the need for equipment.
Strong legs are the foundation of overall body strength and mobility. Leg-focused workouts not only improve balance, endurance, and power but also support movements like walking, running, and climbing stairs.
Our 12 minute Leg Burn class targets the major muscle groups of the legs–glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves–keeping you ready for the fun and action of the holiday season.
Resistance Chest and Shoulders
Building strength in the chest and shoulders helps with pushing movements, lifting, and maintaining good posture. These exercises also promote shoulder stability and help prevent injuries related to everyday activities.
This Intermediate level class challenges these muscles and can be modified for your fitness level.
A strong core is essential for maintaining balance, stability, and proper posture. Core workouts help protect your back, improve functional movements, and enhance overall strength, making everything from sitting to exercising more efficient. This short, but advanced class uses non-stop strengthening moves to help you enjoy all of the benefits of a strong core without spending hours at the gym.
Cardio workouts boost heart health, increase stamina, and improve your body’s ability to use oxygen efficiently. Regular cardio helps manage stress, improve sleep, and keep energy levels high during busy days, which makes this 11-minute class the perfect option during this crazy season!
From Home: Hip Hinges & Hamstrings
Focusing on hip hinges and hamstrings improves flexibility, strength, and the health of your lower back. These exercises help with movements like bending, lifting, and maintaining proper alignment during physical activities.
This 11-minute class not only focuses on these muscles, but also incorporates movements that also provide a great full-body workout. Well worth your time!
Upper body strength supports tasks that involve pushing, pulling, or lifting. Focusing on your upper body enhances muscle tone, improves posture, and helps prevent injuries by maintaining balanced strength and stability.
In this speedy class, you will perform a wide variety of exercises to tone and strengthen the muscles in the upper body, including the core muscles.
Looking for even shorter workouts to help you prioritize physical fitness this month? Find our list of micro-workouts here.
Staying active during the holidays doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. By focusing on quick, targeted workouts, you can maintain your fitness, boost your energy, and manage holiday stress.
Remember, every small effort counts, and prioritizing movement is a gift you give to yourself. With Pietra Fitness Online Studio, you can stay strong, healthy, and ready to enjoy all the joys of Christmastide.
