In this post, we’ll outline a workout called the Thanksgiving Throwdown that is equal parts fun and difficult for the morning before your Turkey Day feast.

The Thanksgiving Throwdown
This workout will challenge you both mentally and physically. It incorporates high-intensity, total body movements that will leave you sweating, breathless, and ready for a night full of fun and relaxation.

Equipment Needed
For this workout, all you’ll need is some wide-open space. You don’t need any fancy equipment or heavy weights. However, if you’d like to have a timer to keep you on track, you may decide to secure said item.

Workout Structure
You’ll perform 4 different moves, including cardiovascular components and bodyweight strengthening exercises. As fast as you can, you’ll complete 5 rounds of the moves listed below, taking as few rest breaks as possible.

Exercise #1: “Pumpkin Pie” Pushups
Pushups give you a great pump in your shoulders, chest, and triceps. During this workout, you should aim to complete 25 slow, controlled pushups each round, totaling 125 pushups total for the workout. Not bad for a holiday morning!

Exercise #2: “Turkey Trots”
Running is one of the oldest forms of exercise, and it’s still one of the most effective ways to increase endurance.

For our “Turkey Trot,” pick a distance of about 30 yards, and perform 5 sprints with minimal rest in between sets each round. Bonus points if you complete these sprints on a hill!

Exercise #3: “Get Rid of the Stuffing” Sit Ups
Next, you’ll hit the abdominals with some good old-fashioned sit-ups.

If you need to, you can secure your feet under a heavy object or push them into the wall as you complete your reps. Shoot for 30 sit-ups each round, completing powerful, explosive reps every time.

Exercise #4: “Mashed Potato” Punches
Ever wonder how boxers get in such great shape? Well, they perform a number of conditioning drills while they’re training, one of these drills being shadowboxing.

Shadowboxing is a fun way to work up a sweat while taking out some aggression in a safe way.

For this exercise, don’t worry about looking silly. Just punch as hard and as fast as you can, mixing in uppercuts, hooks, and whatever other kind of punches you like (you can even throw some kicks if you want!). Set a timer for one minute, take a 15-second break, and repeat for 3 shadow boxing rounds during each rotation through your Thanksgiving Throwdown circuit.

Conclusion
The holiday season is a busy time for everyone. Thanksgiving, in particular, can make it tough for individuals to stick to their workout routine. However, by incorporating simple, minimalist movements like those described above, you can get a great workout in and maintain your gains throughout Thanksgiving and the other winter holidays.