The holidays are a magical time of year, but let’s be honest—it’s also one of the busiest. Between shopping, wrapping gifts, decorating, cooking, and attending holiday events, moms often put themselves last on the priority list. But what if you could stay fit and have fun, all while embracing the festive spirit? That’s where these holiday fitness challenges come in!
In this post, we’ll explore 10 quick and fun holiday fitness challenges for moms that are easy to squeeze into your busy schedule. They’re perfect for staying healthy, managing stress, and even getting the whole family involved. Let’s make this holiday season not just about giving to others, but also about giving back to yourself.
1. 12 Days of Christmas Fitness Challenge (Tennis Edition)
Think of this as your fitness advent calendar, but with a tennis twist! Each day for 12 days, you’ll complete a quick tennis-related activity or workout that builds on the previous day. This challenge is great for moms who love racket sports or want to get moving while practicing skills that translate to the court. Here’s a sample:
- Day 1: 1-minute rally with a wall or partner
- Day 2: 2 forehand shadow swings
- Day 3: 3 backhand shadow swings
- Day 4: 4 mini volleys (with or without a partner)
- Day 5: 5 quick sidesteps (mimicking on-court movement)
- Day 6: 6 overhead serves (shadow or real)
- Day 7: 7 lunges (great for building leg strength for tennis)
- Day 8: 8 ball taps on the racket face (hand-eye coordination drill)
- Day 9: 9 quick sprints (simulate running for a drop shot)
- Day 10: 10 reps of racket swings (forehand and backhand)
- Day 11: 11 wall hits (alternate forehand and backhand)
- Day 12: 12-minute cardio drill (mix in footwork patterns or rally practice).
This challenge mirrors the “12 Days of Christmas” song and gives you the opportunity to work on your tennis skills while staying active. Plus, if you’re playing with your kids, they’ll enjoy joining the fun, even if it’s just chasing the ball!
By the end, you’ll have built a solid mix of strength, agility, and coordination—a true Christmas gift to your tennis game and your fitness journey. By the end, you’ll have completed 78 reps/minutes of each exercise—talk about a Christmas gift to yourself!
2. Christmas Movie Fitness Game
Holiday movie marathons don’t have to mean lounging on the couch for hours. Turn them into a fitness challenge! Every time a holiday movie trope happens, do a quick exercise. For example:
- When someone drinks hot cocoa: Do 10 squats.
- When there’s a snowball fight: Hold a plank for 30 seconds.
- When someone says “Merry Christmas”: Do 10 jumping jacks.
This is a sneaky way to fit in a workout without missing out on quality family time.
3. Elf on the Shelf Workout Challenge
If you’re doing Elf on the Shelf with your kids, let the elf challenge you too! Each morning, write down a fitness task from the elf, like:
- 20 sit-ups
- A 5-minute dance party
- A family walk around the block
This is a fantastic way to keep things lighthearted while staying active. Plus, your kids will think it’s hilarious that the elf is keeping you accountable!
4. Candy Cane Cardio Countdown
This one is perfect if you’re short on time. Grab a candy cane and use it as a timer for a quick workout. For example:
- Run in place for as long as it takes to finish a peppermint candy cane.
- Do jumping jacks until the candy cane dissolves in hot cocoa.
This playful activity brings a holiday twist to your cardio routine and reminds you that fitness doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective.
5. Snowball Fight Fitness
Whether or not you live somewhere with snow, you can make this work. If you have actual snow, grab the family for a snowball fight and keep moving for 20 minutes. No snow? No problem! Use soft indoor balls or rolled-up socks to recreate the fun indoors. The key is constant movement—duck, jump, and throw for a full-body workout disguised as playtime.
6. Christmas Tree Circuit Workout
Turn decorating your Christmas tree into a workout! Here’s how:
- Before hanging ornaments, do 10 lunges.
- Every time you hang a star or angel, do 10 push-ups.
- After stringing lights, hold a 1-minute plank.
This is a fun way to multitask, and by the time your tree is glowing, you’ll have squeezed in a full-body workout.
7. Holiday Dance-Off
Put on your favorite holiday sports wear and playlist while dancing like nobody’s watching! Dancing is a fantastic cardio workout that also boosts your mood. Challenge your kids or partner to a dance-off to see who can come up with the silliest moves. Aim for at least 20-30 minutes to get your heart pumping and burn some serious calories.
8. The Santa Sack Lift
If you’ve got gifts to wrap or carry, why not turn it into a strength training challenge? Use a bag filled with presents as a weight. Try these exercises:
- Deadlifts with the Santa sack.
- Squats while holding the sack.
- Overhead presses with lighter items.
You’ll tone your muscles while getting into the Santa spirit—win-win!
9. Festive Family Walk
After dinner, grab the family for a walk around the neighborhood to admire holiday lights. Not only is it a great way to get in some steps, but it’s also a mindful way to slow down and appreciate the season. Bonus points if you wear Santa hats or reindeer antlers to add some festive flair!
10. Gingerbread House Fitness Breaks
Building gingerbread houses is a classic holiday activity, but let’s add a fitness twist! Every 10 minutes, pause to do a quick exercise. For example:
- 10 squats
- 10 tricep dips off a chair
- 10-second plank hold
These little bursts of movement add up, making your gingerbread masterpiece even sweeter.
Tips for Sticking with Holiday Fitness Challenges
1. Make It Social
Invite friends, neighbors, or family members to join in on your fitness challenges. Create a group chat to share updates and encourage each other.
2. Keep It Short
You don’t need hours to stay active—most of these challenges can be completed in 10-15 minutes.
3. Get the Kids Involved
The holidays are all about family, so let your kids join in the fun. They’ll love the creative activities, and you’ll create lasting memories.
4. Reward Yourself
For every challenge you complete, treat yourself to something special, like a holiday-themed smoothie, a bubble bath, or even a few guilt-free Christmas cookies.
Why Holiday Fitness Challenges Are Perfect for Moms
Staying active during the holidays isn’t just about burning calories—it’s about self-care. As moms, we spend so much time making the season magical for everyone else. These challenges remind you to carve out a little time for yourself, manage holiday stress, and keep your energy levels high. Plus, they’re designed to fit seamlessly into your schedule, so you can stay active without missing out on the holiday fun.
Final Thoughts
This holiday season, let’s embrace the joy of movement while keeping things festive and fun. These 10 quick and easy fitness challenges are perfect for moms who want to stay healthy, bond with their families, and make the most of the holidays. Remember, it’s not about perfection—it’s about finding small ways to prioritize your well-being during the busiest time of the year.
So grab your Santa hat, put on some holiday tunes, and get moving. Here’s to a happy, healthy, and active holiday season!
