AS soon as the page turns on the calendar at the end of November I get the fear.
December is staring me in the face and that means the imminent return of one of the toughest sessions of the year. The 12 Rounds of Christmas. If you’ve never done it before, time to dig out your Santa hat and go to work.

I first came up with this back in 2013 and each year since the crew who have joined me in doing it has grown. The movements have evolved year on year, each variation bringing a new challenge to the table.

Be warned in advance that this isn’t going to be handy. Choose your weights carefully, choose your training partners wisely and choose your soundtrack with Christmas in mind!

To the theme of “The 12 Days of Christmas”, let’s go!

In the first round of Christmas my trainer gave to me,
A Pull-Up with a Burpee

In the second round of Christmas my trainer gave to me,
2 Tricep Dips

And a Pull-Up with a Burpee

In the third round of Christmas my trainer gave to me,
3 Clean and Jerk

2 Tricep Dips

And a Pull-Up with a Burpee

In the fourth round of Christmas my trainer gave to me,
4 Bicep Curls

3 Clean and Jerk

2 Tricep Dips

And a Pull-Up with a Burpee

In the fifth round of Christmas my trainer gave to me,
5 Dumbbell Snatches

4 Bicep Curls

3 Clean and Jerk

2 Tricep Dips

And a Pull-Up with a Burpee

In the sixth round of Christmas my trainer gave to me,
6 Weighted Lunges

5 Dumbbell Snatches

4 Bicep Curls

3 Clean and Jerk

2 Tricep Dips

And a Pull-Up with a Burpee

In the seventh round of Christmas my trainer gave to me,
7 Heavy Deadlifts

6 Weighted Lunges

5 Dumbbell Snatches

4 Bicep Curls

3 Clean and Jerk

2 Tricep Dips

And a Pull-Up with a Burpee

In the eighth round of Christmas my trainer gave to me,
8 Clapping Press-Ups

7 Heavy Deadlifts

6 Weighted Lunges

5 Dumbbell Snatches

4 Bicep Curls

3 Clean and Jerk

2 Tricep Dips

And a Pull-Up with a Burpee

In the ninth round of Christmas my trainer gave to me,
9 Plyo Box-Jumps

8 Clapping Press-Ups

7 Heavy Deadlifts

6 Weighted Lunges

5 Dumbbell Snatches

4 Bicep Curls

3 Clean and Jerk

2 Tricep Dips

And a Pull-Up with a Burpee

In the tenth round of Christmas my trainer gave to me,
10 Heavy Ball Slams

9 Plyo Box-Jumps

8 Clapping Press-Ups

7 Heavy Deadlifts

6 Weighted Lunges

5 Dumbbell Snatches

4 Bicep Curls

3 Clean and Jerk

2 Tricep Dips

And a Pull-Up with a Burpee

In the eleventh round of Christmas my trainer gave to me,
11 Hanging Knee Tucks

10 Heavy Ball Slams

9 Plyo Box-Jumps

8 Clapping Press-Ups

7 Heavy Deadlifts

6 Weighted Lunges

5 Dumbbell Snatches

4 Bicep Curls

3 Clean and Jerk

2 Tricep Dips

And a Pull-Up with a Burpee

In the twelfth round of Christmas my trainer gave to me,
12 Prowler Pushes (And if you don’t have a prowler then a minute on the Ski-Erg/Air Bike!)

11 Hanging Knee Tucks

10 Heavy Ball Slams

9 Plyo Box-Jumps

8 Clapping Press-Ups

7 Heavy Deadlifts

6 Weighted Lunges

5 Dumbbell Snatches

4 Bicep Curls

3 Clean and Jerk

2 Tricep Dips

And a Pull-Up with a Burpee!

That’s how to start the festive period off right!