When you are hitting the road for the holiday season, a full gym with all the bells and whistles might not be so close at hand. We asked personal trainer Angela LoBrutto of Jacked Fitness in Valhalla for a rundown of what moves you can do when you are sans gym or short on time. The below movements are great ways to get your heart pumping fast, minus the need for any clunky equipment, to help stay in shape during the holiday season.
Squat Jacks: “Squat jacks are a great leg-strengthening workout and a good way to increase your heart rate,” explains LoBrutto. “Start by standing with your legs together, and jump your feet hip-width apart as you sit your hips back into a squat position. See how many reps you can perform in 30 seconds. Try to match or beat how many reps you completed previously for two more sets.”
Inchworms: LoBrutto calls inchworms a great total body workout to stay in shape, and one that is especially good for the core. “Start with standing your feet hip width apart,” she says. “Keeping your legs straight, place your hands on the floor and walk them into a full plank position with your hands located underneath your shoulders. Then walk your hands back to starting position, continuing to keep your legs straight. Perform 10 reps for four sets, with a 30-second rest period in between each set.”
Related: 5 Top Notch Back-Strengthening Workouts
Hand Release Push-Ups: “This exercise is a great upper body workout that increases core strength as well,” says LoBrutto. “Start by laying on your stomach on the floor, placing your feet hip-width apart, and your hands close to your chest. While engaging your core, push off the floor, with hips following into a push-up position and slowing going back down to the start position. Perform 10 reps for four sets, with a 30-second rest period in between each set.”
Knee Tucks: According to LoBrutto, knee tucks are one of the best all-around ab exercises to help stay in shape. “While sitting, place your hands on the floor behind you and bring your knees into your chest,” advises LoBrutto. “Proceed to extend your legs forward as you bring your back close to the ground behind you. Perform 15 reps for four sets, with a 30-second rest period in between each set.”
Half Plank Hip Dips: “This is another great core exercise that emphasizes your obliques,” explains LoBrutto. “Facing down on the floor, place your legs together, hips up off the floor, leveled with your body, placing bent elbows underneath your shoulders while engaging in your core. Drive your hips down towards the floor from side to side. Perform 20 rep for four sets, with a 30-second rest in between each set.”
