Sharing winter travel workouts with you. This is a super simple dumbbell circuit workout you can do anywhere!
Hi friends! Are you OK? I hope your week is off to a great start! We’re driving back from the Princess and I’ll be sharing my favorite adventures from Friday before heading home for the discovery call and all the holiday baking.
Today I want to talk about travel workouts and share a quick and fun workout for you!
Winter travel can be magical… but it can also cause some disruption to your daily life. Between flights, family time, cold weather, and being away from your normal surroundings, exercise is often the first thing to do.
The good news is, you don’t need to go to a full gym or spend hours exercising while traveling.
This winter travel workout is one of my go-to things to do when out of town. It’s quick, effective, and requires only a set of medium-sized dumbbells. You can do it in a hotel room, an Airbnb, or even a small living space, and it’ll stimulate your legs, glutes, core, and upper body while getting your heart rate up.
The goal is not to crush ourselves; It’s about moving your body, staying strong, and feeling good while traveling.
Why strength training is important when traveling
When you travel (especially in the winter), you tend to exercise less, sleep less, and inflammation can spread.
Brief, full-body strength exercises can help:
Maintain muscle and metabolism
Improve blood circulation after long journeys
Support energy levels
Reduce stiffness and joint pain
Control stress hormones
This circuit-based workout gives you all these benefits in just 30 minutes.
Warm up (5-7 minutes)
Before jumping into the circuit, take a few minutes to warm up and get the blood flowing.
You can choose:
Brisk walking (outdoor or on a treadmill)
stay put
Dynamic movements such as:
arm circle
hip circle
Body weight squat
walking lunges
inchworm
trunk twist
The goal is to feel warm and ready for your body.
Winter Travel Dumbbell Workout Circuit
You will complete this circuit with one side leading and then repeat the circuit with the other side leading. This ensures a balance of strength and core engagement.
Aim to complete 2-3 rounds on each side, resting as needed between rounds.
1. Dumbbell swing x 30
(Hold a dumbbell with both hands)
Table tips:
Feet hip-width apart
Hip hinge (not squat)
Push through your heels and squeeze your glutes
The dumbbells should be swung to chest height using the momentum of your hips, not your arms.
Keep spine neutral and core engaged
Why I love it: Strengthens your glutes, hamstrings, and strength while getting your heart rate up.
2. Stationary lunges x 12 (each leg)
(Leading on one leg this round)
Table tips:
Take a step forward and stay put
Lower your back knee directly to the floor
Front knee tracks past toes
Keep chest straight and core engaged
Stand through front heel
Benefits: Strengthens the legs and hips while improving balance.
3. Dumbbell Squat×15
Table tips:
Hold dumbbells at sides or goblet pose
Sit back on your hips as if you were sitting on a chair
Keep your chest lifted and put your weight on your heels
Knees move outward
exhale while standing
4. Lateral lunges x 8 (each side)
Table tips:
Take a big step to the side
Sit on hip of working leg
Keep the other leg straight
Keep your chest straight
Push back to center through heels
This exercise targets the inner thighs and glutes while improving hip mobility.
5. Traitor Row x Total 10
(5 per arm)
Table tips:
Start in plank position with hands on dumbbells
Wide feet for stability
Keep your hips as still as possible
Pull one dumbbell toward your chest
Alternate sides
Benefits: Increases upper body strength and core stability.
6. Side plank x 40 seconds
(One side leads each round)
Table tips:
Elbows below shoulders
The body forms a straight line from head to heels
Hips raised
Core engagement, no sag
Breathe calmly
This exercise strengthens your obliques and deep core muscles.
How to schedule a workout
Complete the entire circuit with one side boot
Repeat the boot circuit on the other side
If needed, rest 60-90 seconds between rounds
Aim for a total of 2-3 rounds per side
Total workout time: approximately 20–30 minutes
Screenshot friendly workout summary
warm up:
5-7 minutes (walking + dynamic exercise)
Tour (2-3 rounds per side):
Dumbbell swing x 30
Fixed lunges x 12
Squat×15
Side lunges x 8
Traitor Row x 10
Side plank support x 40 seconds
*Swap lead sides and repeat.
So tell me, friends: are you working out on vacation? For me, it depends on a few factors, like whether we’ll be walking all day (I never work out at Disney, haha), or if there’s a local studio I want to try, or a convenient hotel gym. I also love Sculpture Guilds in Airbnbs or hotels!
If you give it a try, please let me know!
Western Europe
Gina
