Summer holidays are meant to be enjoyed.
Whether you’re heading abroad, staying in a caravan, visiting family or relaxing in a hotel, taking a break from your normal routine is important. But one thing we see every year is people coming home feeling like they’ve completely lost momentum with their fitness.
The good news?
You don’t need a fully equipped gym, expensive equipment or an hour long workout to stay active and get a holiday workout squeezed in.
In fact, a simple holiday workout lasting just 10 minutes can help maintain your strength, boost your energy levels and make getting back into your normal routine much easier once you’re home.
Remember, your goal on holiday isn’t to set personal bests or push yourself to the limit. It’s simply to keep moving.
Below are six simple holiday workouts that require little or no equipment and can be done almost anywhere, whether you’re in a hotel room, apartment, campsite or even your back garden.
Holiday Workout Tips Before You Start
Before jumping straight in, spend a couple of minutes getting your body moving.
Walk around, perform a few gentle squats, arm circles and lunges until you feel warm. Your workout will feel much better and you’ll reduce the risk of picking up an unnecessary injury while you’re away.
If 10 minutes feels like too much one day, that’s completely fine. Five minutes is infinitely better than doing nothing at all. Consistency always beats perfection.
Holiday Workout 1: Full Body Bodyweight Circuit
Complete as many rounds as possible in 10 minutes:
- 10 Squats
- 10 Push Ups
- 20 Jumping Jacks
If you’d like to make it harder, hold something heavy such as a suitcase, backpack or water bottle during your squats.
Holiday Workout 2: Hotel Stair Challenge
Complete as many rounds as possible in 10 minutes:
- Walk or run up one flight of stairs
- 10 Squats
- Walk back down
- 10 Burpees
No stairs?
Simply replace them with 30 seconds of fast marching on the spot or high knees.
Always make sure the stairs are safe and free from obstacles before starting.
Holiday Workout 3: Legs and Cardio
Complete as many rounds as possible in 10 minutes:
- 20 Alternating Reverse Lunges
- 8 Tuck Jumps
If jumping isn’t suitable, replace tuck jumps with 20 Jumping Jacks.
Want more of a challenge?
Hold a backpack or small suitcase during the lunges.
Holiday Workout 4: Core Builder
Complete as many rounds as possible in 10 minutes:
- 20 Mountain Climbers
- 10 Sit Ups
- 10 Glute Bridges
Use a towel or exercise mat if you’re training on a hard floor.
Move with control rather than rushing through each repetition.
Holiday Workout 5: Plank Challenge
For 10 minutes:
- Hold a plank for as long as possible.
- Every time you stop, perform 20 Lateral Lunges before returning to the plank.
If you’re comfortable with standard planks, try lifting one arm or one leg to increase the challenge.
Holiday Workout 6: The Simplest Holiday Workout
Walk, jog or cycle continuously for 10 minutes.
Sometimes the simplest option is the best one.
Explore a new town, walk along the beach, head around the campsite or simply enjoy some fresh air. It all counts.
Why Holiday Workouts Matter
One of the biggest mistakes people make is believing they need to train exactly as they do at home or not bother at all.
Fitness doesn’t work like that.
A short holiday workout keeps your body moving, reinforces healthy habits and helps prevent that sluggish feeling that often follows a week or two of doing very little.
Even better, staying active often improves your energy, sleep and mood, allowing you to enjoy your holiday even more.
Remember, you’re not trying to improve your fitness while you’re away. You’re simply maintaining the progress you’ve already worked hard to build.
Keep It Simple This Summer
If you find yourself with 10 spare minutes before breakfast, while the kids are in the pool or before heading out for dinner, pick one of these holiday workouts and get moving.
Your future self will thank you when you return home feeling refreshed instead of feeling like you’re starting from scratch.
And remember, a holiday doesn’t have to undo months of hard work. Staying active, even for just 10 minutes a day, can make all the difference.
If you’ve fallen out of routine over the summer or you’re ready to get back into training when you return home, we’d love to help.
Whether you’re looking for Small Group Personal Training, 1 to 1 coaching or simply want some guidance on where to start, our coaching team is here to support you.
Get in touch today to book your free consultation and take the first step towards feeling stronger, healthier and more confident.