16) Play a Sporcle Game with Fitness Penalties – Sporcle.com is my favorite time killer or “brain break” when I am sitting at the computer for an extended period (like now!). Try this game that anyone can do, unless you are color blind (sorry if that is you, send me a note and I will send you a personal Sporcle challenge). This game lists 4 colors and asks you to either pick the color or the name of the color. You only have 2 seconds to decide and click. A wrong answer ends the quiz. There are 30 possible questions. If you lose, you have to do the number you got wrong (maximum of 30) for the following exercises. After each exercise, rest as needed, and play the color game again to determine the number of reps for the next exercise. This is a great way to work your brain and body!
- Jumping jacks
- Push-ups
- Squats
- Planks with arm taps – hold a plank and extend your hand and tap the ground in front
- Mountain climbers – military count
- Planks with leg raises – hold a plank and alternate between leg raises
If you are able to make it to the end and get all 30 correct, hit a quick giant set of 5 reps of each exercise listed and then play again for the next exercise on your list.
17. Trampoline + Weights – I trained a group of 5th grade girls for a few months and that will really test your ability to create fun and attention-grabbing programs. Here is one they loved! If you have access to a trampoline, gather a few dumbbells or your favorite other fitness pieces and put them around the trampoline. Have them jump as high as possible for a desired number of reps or time period, then climb off the trampoline and use a dumbbell, band, or mat for ground-based exercises. You can also incorporate the trampoline into an Adventure Run. Take off around your block or neighborhood, and everytime you come back home, jump, bounce or move on the trampoline and then continue your run.
18. Skateboard/Dolly work – I recruited the best trainer in NYC for some help on this idea. Nikki Espina (www.reactsperformance.com) has shared a great video of how to use a skateboard to liven-up your fitness experience. You can also do this with a moving dolly or other rolling equipment.
19. Tire Time– Ok, I realize you may not all have access to a giant tire, but should you stumple upon one and also happen to have a sledgehammer in your hand then do this:
20. Holiday-themed Fun Workouts – At Christmas, leave the box of decorations at the other end of the house or top of the stairs and race your kids to see who can put the most on the tree. Or follow our 12 Days of Fitness program. At Halloween, use your pumpkins for squats, presses, and more. If you have bands, pretend they are spider webs and do some partner band exercises like presses and rows. I will have more holiday-themed programs coming your way on the blog as the year progresses. Here’s a video of me dressed as a pirate on our local Fox affiliate promoting our Halloween Charity BOOOtcamp and showing some pumpkin exercises!
