30-Minute Holiday Workout

7 Exercises to Work Your Whole Body!

-- By Nicole Nichols, Fitness Instructor

Think you have no time to fit in fitness on this holiday? Think again! These seven exercises can be done almost anywhere, and you don't need any equipment at all—just a chair. By quickly progressing from one exercise to the next, you'll keep you heart rate up and speed through three full sets of each exercise in about 30 minutes flat.

If you don't have 30 minutes in the morning or evening, then keep this list of exercises with you. Steal a few minutes where you can—your body will still benefit, even if you split up your workout throughout the day.

30-Minute Holiday Workout
Aim for 15 repetitions of each exercise, then move to the next exercise. Repeat the series two more times.

Squats 15 reps Stand with your feet wider than shoulders, toes pointed forward. Inhale and bend your knees to slowly lower your body as if sitting back into a chair. Keep your weight in your heels and your back as upright as possible. Make sure your knees don’t cross the plane of your toes. Exhale and straighten legs back up to the starting position to complete one rep.
Forward Lunges 15 reps Stand with your feet about 6 inches apart, toes pointed forward. Inhale and step forward with one leg and lower your body to 90 degrees at both knees. Your weight on your heels and your knees should not cross the plane of your toes. Exhale to push up to the starting position to complete one rep. Repeat all reps on one leg, then switch to complete one set.
Calf Raises with Chair 15 reps Stand with feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, lightly holding on to a chair for balance. Exhale and lift your heels to rise up onto balls of feet. Inhale and slowly return to start position to complete one rep.
Triceps Dips with Bent Knees 15 reps Sit tall on the edge of a sturdy chair or step and wrap your fingertips over the front edge. Place feet on the floor in front of you with knees bent. Lift hips and butt upward and slightly forward, balancing your weight evenly between your heels and your hands. Inhale and bend elbows about 90 degrees to lower your body toward the floor. Exhale and press up until elbows are straight, but not locked to complete one rep.
Modified Pushups 15 reps Come down to hands and knees, with hands about shoulder-width apart and knees in line with hips. Keep your abdomen tight and your spine in a neutral position. Inhale and bend your elbows and lower your body towards the floor. Exhale and push up so that your arms are straight, making sure your elbows aren’t completely locked to complete one rep.
Swimming 15 reps Lie facedown, arms and legs outstretched, head in line with spine. Exhale and lift left arm and right leg off floor. Inhale and lower. Repeat on the opposite side to complete one rep.
Bicycle Crunches 15 reps Lie on your back, hands behind ears, legs extended. Exhale and crunch up, twisting your body so that your left elbow reaches towards your right knee. Inhale as you transition and switch sides/legs. Repeat on opposite side to complete one rep.