12 Days of Christmas Workout
on Dec 21, 2018, Updated Oct 02, 2023
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It’s not Christmas without a fun 12 days of Christmas workout! There are many versions of 12 days workout online, varying in difficulty from tough CrossFit WOD’s to no-equipment workouts anyone can do. I decided to go somewhere in the middle with a fun 12 days workout you’re going to love (and hate!!).
How to do this Workout
The concept of a 12 days of Christmas workout is simple. It’s just like song! You’ll kick things off with one thruster, then you’ll do two front squats and one thruster, then three push press, two front squats and one thruster and so on until you finish things off with a 1200 m run or row and work you way back down to finish the workout with one last thruster.
So it’s. 1. 2-1. 3-2-1. 4-3-2-1. 5-4-3-2-1…..until the last round of 12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1. Fun, right??
12 Days of Christmas Workout Details
- Thrusters.
- Front squats.
- Push press.
- Pull-ups.
- Overhead kettlebell swings.
- Goblet squats.
- Box jumps.
- Barbell bent-over rows.
- Burpees.
- Barbell reverse lunges per leg (20 total).
- Deadlifts.
- 1200 m (0.75 mile) run or row.
Workout Scaling and Equipment Modifications
- You can do the barbell movements (thruster, push press, front squat, deadlift, bent-over rows and reverse lunges) with either a barbell, kettlebells or dumbells. If you’re using a barbell, I’d suggest 65 lbs for ladies and 95 lbs for men. Scale that weight down accordingly so you can perform all the reps unbroken. If you’re using dumbells or kettlebells, use anywhere from 2 x 20-35 lbs for ladies and 2 x 35-50 lbs for men (one in each hand).
- You’ll need a kettlebell for the overhead KB swings and goblet squats. I’d suggest 16 kg for ladies and 24 kg for men.
- You’ll need a box, bench or risers for the box jumps. I’d suggest a 20-24 inch box.
- The pull-ups can be modified to ring rows, inverted rows or assisted pull-ups using a machine or band.
- If you don’t have a treadmill or outdoor space to run, you can row or bike instead.
More Fun Workouts
Need a Christmas Eve and Boxing Day workout too? Here are some more must-try workouts!
Run Intervals and Strength Workout // Total Body Countdown Workout // 30 Minute Full Body EMOM Workout // Legs and Hills Workout // Leg and Core Strength Workout
Hello, question, how do I do the pull ups and box jumps from home with no machine or equipment?
If you have a way to set up a body/inverted row with a barbell, that’s a good substitute for pull ups, otherwise any DB row, gorilla row or barbell row. For box jumps you can substitute jump squats or skater squats.
Got it! Thank you for the quick reply ๐
What a great workout for the day after. Of course, I modify for the old-lady body, but I found this to be one of my favorites. Definitely on repeat.
Nice work! This one isn’t easy. It would be a good one to keep in rotation for sure.
I did 12 days at my box yesterday, like you said, it’s definitely a Workout to love and hate! Do NOT do it to Christmas songs tough as that’s a sure way to hate them for the rest of your life!
Hahaha…we did to Christmas songs at our box too. I actually love it! They’re such fun workouts to do with a group too.