The holiday season is fun but usually a bit overbooked. This time of year I almost always prioritize my fitness. Why? It may seem selfish in some people’s book but I love the way I feel after a good sweat session. It also doesn’t hurt that I get to hang out with my friends at the same time, which gives me joy. 

The winter in upstate NY would probably be super depressing if I didn’t work out, no joke. So this weekend we decided to make a scene at the gym and do a 12 Days of Kettlebells workout. It involves a lot of kettlebells, a ton of movements, and a whole lot of fitness. 

Fitness with Friends

My friend NV & I started this tradition 3 or maybe 4 years ago. A local gym always had their own 12 Days of kettlebells workout but it was always around Christmas and the both of us were traveling so it never fit in our schedule. So we kind of made it a thing to do the workout together each year. Tradition! 

If you know me, you know I love a long grueling workout. I’m not a sprinter, much more of an endurance/grunt work type gal. So when I heard 12 Days was a type of workout I needed in! It’s a guaranteed 40+ minute workout and for me that makes my body feel great.

Anywho, we decided to tell others we were doing the workout at my CrossFit gym this year and the turnout was amazing. You know how they say misery loves company? Fitness also loves company.

I know some people prefer to sweat and push by themselves but I need others to motivate me and make the workout more fun and tolerable. I think it stems from always being on a sports team growing up so I only know how to workout when others are there with me. There were 14 of us who got our sweat on today and crushed the 12 days of kettlebells workout.

12 Days of Kettlebells

What is this 12 Days you ask? Well, you know the song 12 days of Christmas? It’s just like that. You start with the number 1 movement, then you do 2 & 1, then 3, 2, & 1. All the way to 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. It always seems like it will be short, but man was it anything but.

The workout was as follows:

ps. I included the weights I did if interested

1. Turkish Get Up (TGU) per side (35lbs)
2. Double Strict Press (2x35lbs)
3. Windmill per side (44lbs)
4. Single Arm Snatch per side (35lbs)
5. Double Front Rack Lunges per side (2x 35lbs)
6. Single Arm Swings per side (53lbs)
7. Double dead stop cleans (2x35lbs)
8. Taters or Kettlebell Wall Balls (44lbs)
9. Russian Kettlebell Swings (70lbs)
10. Burpee Deadlifts (2x70lbs)
11. Clusters (aka a clean into a thruster) (2x35lbs)
12. Snatch lunges per side (35lbs)

This year the workout took us about 70-80 minutes. It’s a long slow march. Having friends with you and Christmas music bumping (I highly recommend Pandora’s Christmas in Hollis if you need some upbeat tunes), makes it fun and stress relieving. 

Of course, we shared a drink and food with friends afterwards, mostly because none of us could move and for whatever reason when you workout together you form a special “we suffered through this together” bond. Thanks to all who came out! If you guys try out this workout, let me know. 

What do you do this time of year to take care of your health & fitness?

xoxo,
Sassy