Try This Workout Before Sitting Down for Thanksgiving Dinner

FacebookTwitterPinterestEmailEmailEmailShare
Airmen run in a Turkey Trot for Thanksgiving.
Airmen of the 332d Air Expeditionary Wing start Thanksgiving off with some exercise during a 5K fun run Nov. 28, 2019, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. (Senior Master Sgt. Ralph Branson/U.S. Air Force photo)

Enjoy a fun and effective workout the morning of Thanksgiving, whether you are at home or travelling. Here is one of our training-group favorites to burn some calories and not feel horribly guilty for eating most of the day and watching football.

If you cannot find a place to train or are travelling out of town on Thanksgiving, here is a fun one you can do just about anywhere:

Find a place to do pull-ups (a local playground, monkey bars, park, build your own, use the TRX)

Mix in some running or rucking intervals into a big PT day. We like to mix in several one-mile runs so you total 4-5 miles of running, mixed with as many rounds of pull-ups, push-ups, abs, squats and lunges as well.

For instance:

Repeat 4-5 times.

  • Run one mile (or ruck if you prefer)*
  • Pull-ups max reps
  • Push-ups one minute (stay in a plank for the remainder of one minute if you fail at push-ups)
  • Abs of choice 50

*Add in squats and lunges every half-mile of mile run sets (20 squats and 20 lunges)

**If you want to make the PT a little harder, mix in the Burpee/Pull-up Pyramid by doing sets 1-5 for the first set, 6-10 for the second set, 11-15 for the third set, then return in reverse order if you can manage the reps.

Easy stretch after …

Enjoy your Thanksgiving Day of friends, family, food and football.

Stew Smith is a former Navy SEAL and fitness author certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Visit his Fitness eBook store if you’re looking to start a workout program to create a healthy lifestyle. Send your fitness questions to stew@stewsmith.com.

Want to Learn More About Military Life?

Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for fitness and basic training tips, or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox.

 

Story Continues