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Need Help?Staying Fit During the Holidays
Want to get a jump start on your fitness resolutions for the New Year? The holiday season is a great time
to start.
With extra indulgences this time of year — whether it’s late nights, cocktails, or cookies — getting set
in a
fitness routine now is the best way to ensure you keep it up during the holidays and well into the new
year. Here
are some of our favorite ways for staying fit during the holidays.
Make Time for Fitness
During the holiday season, it’s easy (and often more fun) to neglect working out in favor of filling up
your calendar
with seasonal activities. Scheduling some holiday exercise into your calendar each week, like you would
anything
else, will ensure there’s plenty of time dedicated to fitness.
Stuck inside more than usual on account of cold weather? Watch the morning news or a holiday movie while
working out
on the ProForm
Carbon EL Elliptical. Or, set up your own Marcy MD-5191 Smith Cage
Home Gym so you can get in a good workout at home and save the
back-and-forth drive time of going to the gym.
Make the Most of Your Workout
The biggest problem about staying fit during the holidays is lack of time. High-intensity interval
training (HIIT) is
a great way to get in a quick and effective workout with little time. You can also accomplish a lot with
compound
movements that target multiple muscle groups at the same time (such as simultaneously doing a lunge and
a biceps
curl).
Additionally, a punching bag like the Everlast 70 Lb. Neva Tear Heavy Bag is a great way to get your heart rate up and
use as part
of your HIIT workout – not to mention relieve some holiday stress!
The TRX Strong System
Suspension
Trainer is another great option for HIIT workouts and compound movements. This set also travels
well because
it takes up little space in your luggage and can be used in tight spaces like hotel rooms. There are
also plenty of
effective, calorie-torching exercises you can do at home or in a hotel with no equipment and just your
bodyweight.
Set (Realistic) Goals and Track Your Progress
Setting small, realistic, measurable goals will help keep you committed and consistent to your Kwanzaa,
Hanukkah, and
Christmas exercises. It’s also motivating to see your progress being made! Short term goals like
training for a 5k
or increasing your weight on your CAP Barbell Weight Set are not only easy to track but make it easier to get
through the
holiday season in increments.
EXPERT TIP: Even setting a goal to move your
body 30
minutes a day can feel like an achievement. You may be more likely to quit exercising altogether this
season if you
set a fitness goal you can’t accomplish, so don’t be afraid to keep it light.
The ProForm Carbon
CX Spin
Bike’ features integrated, adjustable holder clamps to secure your tablet (not included) to make
it easy to keep track of your progress (or binge-watch your favorite show). And with a 30-day iFIT subscription included in your purchase, you will
have a
variety of fitness classes at your fingertips to get you started.
Get Creative with Holiday Workouts
Your fitness routine doesn’t have to be so…routine. Find new ways to get your body moving during the
holidays by
taking advantage of fun seasonal activities. Go skating, skiing, or sledding for some classic seasonal
fun. Or try
cutting down your own Christmas tree, taking a family walk after dinner to look at the neighborhood
lights... even
holiday shopping can burn calories!
Building physical activity into your holiday traditions means you’ll not only feel festive, but you’ll
have fun and
make new memories without thinking about fitness. Flag football, anyone?
Something is Better Than Nothing
You might not think the holidays and fitness go together, but by starting small you can easily squeeze in
some
holiday exercise. Don’t think of it as all or nothing! If you stop exercising completely until after the
New Year,
it will be more difficult to start back up again. A light, quick workout is better than nothing. Even as
little as
10 minutes of exercise a day has positive health benefits.
Rowing workouts, for example, can be super quick, yet super effective. See how long it takes you to row a
certain
distance, such as 6,000 meters, and see if you can work toward decreasing the time it takes you to go
that distance.
Or get your blood pumping with some intervals on the treadmill.
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Miss a planned workout? You can get your heart rate up throughout the day with little actions like taking
the stairs
or parking further away from a store. With whichever activities you choose, keep in mind the important
thing is that
you just get moving because every little bit counts.
Sleep and Hydrate
Easier said than done between holiday parties and other holiday obligations, but when sleep is scarce,
fitness is
often the first thing to go. Getting the recommended 7–9 hours will ensure you are refreshed for
whatever your day
has in store.
It is also important to stay hydrated! With all the cocktails and sweet and savory holiday foods, it’s
easy to forget
drinking plenty of plain ol’ water will aid in digestion and even help with recovery when you might
overindulge a
bit. Staying hydrated can also curb your appetite, making it easier to eat the correct portions when it
comes to
holiday meals — which can, in turn, positively affect your sleep.
Most Importantly... Have Fun Out There!
Exercise should help relieve stress, not create additional stress… especially during the holidays! Don’t
be too hard
on yourself. Also, remember to check with your physician before starting any new fitness
regimen.
Have questions about holiday exercise? Head to your local Academy for personalized advice from one of our
team
members or shop online and in-store for the health and fitness
essentials
best suited for your workout routine. We’re committed to offering high quality equipment in a range of
price points
to suit your budget and your fitness goals for the holidays.
To find the perfect gift for the fitness guru in your family, check out the Academy Sports + Outdoors Holiday Gift Guide.
