Stay Strong, Energised & Consistent This December – with Just 10 Minutes a Day

December is magical… and chaotic. Parties, shopping, school events, travel, end-of-year deadlines – your schedule fills up fast, and your workout routine is often the first thing to slip.

But here’s the good news: you don’t need an hour, a gym, or even a perfect routine to stay fit and energised through the holidays. What you do need is consistency – and that’s where my 10-minute workouts shine.

Introducing my 12 Days of Fitness Holiday Challenge: A simple, doable, mood-boosting set of workouts designed specifically for women who want to stay strong, mobile, and motivated during the busiest month of the year. Each day features one powerful 10-minute session. That’s it. Short. Sharp. Effective.

Why 10 minutes works

A lot can happen in 10 minutes:

• Your heart rate lifts
  
• Major muscle groups activate
  
• Metabolism gets a push
  
• Mood and energy rise
  
• You stay connected to your fitness routine without overwhelm
  

Short workouts are also easier to stick with when life is full on. By keeping the bar low but the effort high, you end December feeling accomplished, not burnt out.

The 12 Days of Fitness Challenge

Each session is just 10 minutes. Just a set of dumbbells (or water bottles if you’re away) needed – perfect for holidays, travel, and days when time is tight.

For each workout follow this set up:

• Do each exercise for 40 seconds
• Rest for 20 seconds 

Day 1: 10-Minute Full Body 

High-energy bodyweight moves to warm up your fitness month. Repeat twice.

• High knees or standing marches
• Press ups (knees or toes)
• Walking lunges
• Mountain climbers 
• Crunches

Day 2: 10-Minute Lower Body Power

Glutes, hamstrings, quads & calves – a quick burner to build leg strength. Repeat twice.

• Squats
• Static lunges (20 seconds each side)
• Glute bridges
• Deadlifts
• Calf raises

Day 3: 10-Minute Arms + Abs

A short sharp session to sculpt and strengthen your upper body. Repeat twice.

• Shoulder press
• Chest press
• Bent over row
• Dead bugs
• Plank

Day 4: 10-Minute Cardio Burst

Sweaty, fun, and fast. Think low-impact options with high rewards. Repeat twice.

• Squat (or squat jump)
• Alternating lunge (or lunge jump)
• Mountain climber
• Crab walks (or shuttle runs)
• Walk outs

Day 5: 10-Minute Core 

Focused abdominal work to stabilise and support your whole body.

I’ve included a video for this workout here for you to follow along. Once only.

• Dead bugs
• Toe taps
• Slow bicycles
• Low plank with knee tap
• Supported flutters
• Tap unders
• Reverse ab curls
• Rope climbers
• Angel feet
• Hollow hold

Day 6: 10-Minute Mobility Flow

Stretch, loosen, and release tension—especially helpful in December! (would recommend the new yoga classes on the platform here if you have time too). Repeat twice.

• Downward dog
• Shoulder rolls 
• Forward lunges with rotation
• Arm circles 
• Bird dogs

Day 7: 10-Minute Glute Activation

Mini circuit to challenge and fire up the glutes. Repeat twice.

• Side leg lifts (20 seconds each side)
• Single leg glute bridge (20 seconds each side)
• Fire hydrants (20 seconds each side)
• Donkey kicks (20 seconds each side)
• Clam legs (20 seconds each side)

Day 8: 10-Minute Strength Stack

A mix of functional movements to build strength efficiently. Repeat twice.

• Lunge and bicep curl
• Squat and press
• Deadlift and bent over row
• Around the world
• Press up

Day 9: 10-Minute HIIT Express

Short intervals with maximum impact. All body weight. Repeat twice.

• Crab walks / shuttle runs
• Squat and reach
• Lateral lunges
• Sumo squats 
• Jacks or bum kicks

Day 10: 10-Minute Arms & Shoulders

Targeted upper-body burn. Repeat twice.

• Bicep curl
• Tricep extension
• Arnold press
• Reverse flye
• Lateral raise

Day 11: 10-Minute Core + Cardio Combo

A powerful duo to elevate your heart rate and tighten your midsection. Repeat twice.

• Slow mountain climber
• Commando
• Marches
• Plank dips
• Crunch tuck

Day 12: 10-Minute Festive Full Body Finish

A celebratory final session to leave you glowing and strong. Repeat twice.

• Shoulder press 
• Wide to narrow squat
• Walking lunge
• Bent over row
• Bicycles

How to Make This Challenge Work for You

• Do your workout anytime: morning energy boost, mid-day break, or before bed.
  
• Double up on days you feel energised – but one workout is always enough.
  
• Keep your expectations realistic: consistency beats intensity in December.
  
• Track your progress – a simple tick on your calendar is so motivating
  
• Celebrate the small wins: showing up is the win!
  

The Gift You Give Yourself

The holidays can drain your energy, or they can elevate it – you get to choose. With just 10 minutes a day, you stay strong, grounded, and connected to your body while still having time for everything (and everyone) else.

This December, let’s redefine what it means to stay fit: Simple. Sustainable. Powerful.

Join the 12 Days of Fitness and finish the year feeling proud, energised, and unstoppable.

If you have enjoyed these 10 minute workouts there are two full on-demand 10 minute series on the Caroline’s Circuits platform alongside the live classes and hundreds more on demand! 

As always, any questions, please do get in touch. Let me know if you try it!

Caroline x