The 12 Days of Fitmas Challenge

The holidays are officially here… and so is one of our favorite ways to stay energized, healthy, and feeling GOOD through it all! It’s the 12 Days of Fitmas Workout Challenge!

Yes, you CAN amp up your energy, boost your mood, and have some serious fun while staying active this season.

This challenge is designed to help you stay consistent with your workouts (without feeling like a chore), no matter how busy your schedule gets.

During the 12 days of Fitmas, you’ll unlock a new movement or mini workout each day that builds on the day before, just like the “12 Days of Christmas” song, but sweatier!

Whether you’re squeezing in a quick session between holiday errands or using it as your main workout of the day, these bite-sized challenges are meant to be simple, festive, and effective. You can do them at home, at the gym, or wherever you happen to be this season.

Best part? It’s totally beginner-friendly, modifiable for all fitness levels, and doesn’t require any fancy equipment, just a willingness to show up, move your body, and maybe even have a few laughs along the way.

You’ll get a full-body boost, plus the accountability and motivation to keep going even when things get chaotic.

Invite a friend or family member to join you, it’s more fun together!

Why join the challenge?

✨ Stay consistent (even during the busiest time of year)
✨ Boost your energy and immune system
✨ Build momentum before the new year
✨ Feel stronger, more focused, and less stressed
✨ Add a little holiday fun to your fitness routine
✨ Turn movement into a celebration, not a chore

Let’s head into the new year feeling empowered, proud, and in control of your wellness, one fun Fitmas workout at a time!

Let’s make movement a celebration, not a punishment, and head into the new year feeling empowered and energized.

Staying Active over the Holidays

You already know that regular exercise will help you:

→ blow off some stress

→ boost your immunity

→ improve your sleep

→ lower your risk of a long list of chronic diseases.

This workout is proof that you can get all those benefits in a short amount of time.

This workout is done to the format of the song “The 12 Days of Christmas.” 

That makes it a novelty – which means it’s a perfect time to get some kids or friends involved!

How to Complete the Challenge Workout

Every round, you add a new exercise, and you do that exercise for the number of reps it would be for the day it represents in the song.

For round 1, you would do 1 jumping jack.

Round 2 you would do 2 burpees + 1 jumping jack.

Round 3 would be 3 push-ups + 2 burpees + 1 jumping jack … all the way to round 12, where you would do the whole thing from day 12 through day 1.

You’ll feel so accomplished after you do this! 

The 12 Days of Fitmas Workout

Warm-up with 5-10 minutes of light cardio … walking in place, treadmill, etc., and light stretches (leg swings, arm circles, etc.)

• 1 Jumping Jacks
• 2 Burpees (without push-up) 
• 3 Pushups
• 4 Lunges
• 5 Mountain climbers (each side)
• 6 Air squats
• 7 High knees
• 8 Spiderman planks
• 9 Lower-body crunch
• 10 Supermans
• 11 Glute Bridges
• 12 ab bicycles (each side)

​Be sure to cool down with some light movement (walking, stretching, etc.) to bring your heart rate down.

It’s a fun way to get a little movement in AND know that you’ve done something great for yourself!

FAQ: The 12 Days of Fitmas

Do I need equipment?

Nope! This challenge is 100% bodyweight and totally equipment-free.

How long does it take each day?

Most days take 5–10 minutes.
Days 10–12 may take 10–15 minutes depending on your pace.

Can beginners do this?

Absolutely. The challenge is beginner-friendly, and every move can be modified. Swap burpees for step-backs, push-ups for wall push-ups, etc.

What if I miss a day?

Just pick up where you left off. No guilt, no all-or-nothing thinking — you’re building consistency, not perfection.

Can I repeat the challenge?

Yes! Many people run it twice during December or pair it with regular workouts as a warm-up.

Is this safe during busy/ stressful holiday weeks?

Yes — the workouts are short and modifiable. Listen to your body and adjust intensity to match your energy and schedule.

Can kids or older adults do it?

Yep! It can be a fun family activity. Just adjust reps and movements as needed.

Looking for More Holiday Wellness Support?

Check out my Stay Healthy this Holiday’ Checklist for my top tips on being intentional and staying on track to reach your goals while still enjoying time with friends and family.