4 Fast Workouts You Can Do Anywhere This Holiday Season

Simple ways to stay active when your routine gets messy!

The holidays have a way of taking your normal routine and tossing it right out the window. You might be traveling, sleeping in a different bed, dealing with kids who are off their schedule, or trying to keep up with family visits and events. And if your spouse is working late, on duty, or away, everything on the home front doubles.

During times like this, long structured workouts sometimes do not happen. And that is okay.

What really matters is staying consistent in small ways. Your body responds better to tiny bursts of movement throughout a chaotic season than it does to waiting for the perfect moment that never comes.

Every time you show up for 10 minutes, you are strengthening the part of your brain that recognizes, “I keep my promises to myself.”

That is what builds real habits. Not perfection.Not intensity. Just showing up in simple, doable ways.

So here are five beginner-friendly 10-minute workouts you can rely on during travel, holiday chaos, or any day when you need a backup plan.

10-Minute Interval Walk

A quick way to get your heart rate up, lift your mood, and shake off stiffness from sitting or traveling. You can do this outside, inside, or marching in place.

How to do it: 1 minute brisk walking, 1 minute slower walking. Repeat 5 times!

To make it more challenging: Add a weighted vest, or jog instead of the brisk walk.

10-Minute At-Home Lower Body Workout (No Equipment)

Do 2 rounds of the following exercises:

Squats: 45 seconds Beginner modification: sit-to-stand from a chair.

Reverse Lunges: 45 seconds Beginner Modification: Hold a counter or perform shallow step backs.

Glute Bridges: 45 seconds

Calf Raises: 45 seconds Can hold wall or chair to aid ankle stability.

Rest 30 seconds between rounds.

10-Minute Low-Impact Cardio HIIT

A fast way to get your heart rate up without jumping or stressing your joints.

Timer: 30 seconds work 15 seconds rest. Repeat each move twice!

Rotation:

Bodyweight Squats

Side steps with arm reaches

Low-impact jacks

Light punches in the air

High knees (march version)

Beginner options: Keep everything slow and controlled. Use a chair or counter for stability.

10-Minute HIIT (Intermediate-Advanced)

This workout is 10 rounds total, each round made up of 40 seconds of effort followed by 20 seconds of rest. One exercise per round.

Timer: 40 seconds work

20 seconds rest.

Rotation:

Jump Squats

Push Ups

Mountain Climbers

Reverse Lunges

Burpees Plank Hold High Knees Glute Bridges Jumping Jacks

Sit-ups or Crunches

10-Minute Stair Workout (Airport, Mall, Park, or Anywhere With Stairs)

Perfect for travel days, long layovers, or crowded holiday schedules.

Format:

You’ll move for 1 minute at a time with short breaks to catch your breath.

Minute 1: Slow Step Up + Down

Use one step. Step up, step down. Nice and steady, switch legs each time

Minute 2: Marching on the Steps

Stay on the bottom step and march your knees high. Helps warm up your hips and core.

Minute 3: Climb 1 Flight at a Comfortable Pace

Walk the stairs like normal but don’t rush. Take your time and breathe.

Minute 4: Side Step Ups (Right Side)

Turn sideways toward the steps and step up with your right foot first. Strengthens hips and glutes.

Minute 5: Side Step Ups (Left Side)

Same movement, opposite direction. Keep your core tight and move with control.

Minute 6: Climb 1 Flight at a Faster Pace

Still walking, not running. Quicker steps, upright posture.

Beginner: stick with slow pace if needed.

Minute 7: Step Up Hold (Balance Work)

Step up onto the bottom step, pause for 2 seconds, step down. Alternate legs. Great for stability and ankle strength.

Minute 8: Climb Up 1 Flight + Down 1 Flight

Move at a comfortable pace. Stay aware of other people if you’re in public.

Minute 9: Slow Step Downs

Lower yourself down one step at a time, slowly. This strengthens your quads and helps protect your knees.

Minute 10: Easy Walk or March on Flat Ground

Cool down by walking around the terminal, mall, or hallway. Keep your breathing relaxed.

The holidays can make everything feel a little unpredictable, especially when you’re traveling, juggling family plans, or navigating long days on your own. Your routine might look different right now, but that doesn’t mean your progress has to pause. Even a small 10-minute workout can help you feel more grounded, more energized, and more connected to yourself.

What matters most is that you keep showing up for your body in simple, realistic ways. These quick workouts are here for you on the days when nothing else goes as planned. They’re easy to pull out anywhere, whether you’re in an airport, a mall, your childhood home, or a tiny guest room.

Give yourself credit for every effort, no matter how small it feels. You’re building consistency, strengthening your habits, and taking care of yourself in one of the busiest seasons of the year. And that counts more than you think!