Sharing a winter travel exercise for you. This is a super simple dumbbell circuit exercise that you can do anywhere!
Hello friends! How are you? I hope your week is off to a great start! We’ll be driving back from the Princess – I’ll be sharing adventures with you on Friday Faves – and I’ll be heading home for scouting calls and all the holiday baking.
Today, I wanted to talk a little about travel workouts and share a quick and fun workout with you!
Traveling during the winter months can be magical… and it can also disrupt your routine a little. Between flights, family time, cold weather, and being out of your natural environment, exercise is often the first thing you need to do.
The good news is that you don’t need a full gym or hours of time to get moving while traveling.
This winter travel workout is one of my go-to routines when I’m out of town. It’s quick, effective, and only requires one set of moderate dumbbells. You can do it in a hotel room, an Airbnb, or even a small living space, and it will hit your legs, buttocks, core, and upper body while raising your heart rate.
The goal is not to crush yourself; It’s to move your body, stay strong and feel good while traveling.
Why is strength training while traveling important?
When you travel (especially in the winter), mobility tends to decrease, sleep can be interrupted, and inflammation can creep in.
Short, full-body strength exercises can help:
Maintain muscle and metabolism
Improve blood circulation after long days of travel
Support energy levels
Reduce joint stiffness and pain
Keep stress hormones under control
This circuit-style workout gives you all that in less than 30 minutes.
Warm up (5-7 minutes)
Before jumping into the ring, take a few minutes to warm up and get your blood flowing.
You can choose:
Brisk walking (outdoors or on a treadmill)
He walks in place
Dynamic movements such as:
Arm circles
Hip circles
Bodyweight squats
Walking lunges
Worms
Trunk twists
The goal is for your body to feel warm and ready.
Dumbbell exercise circuit while traveling in winter
You will complete this circuit with one side, then repeat it with the other side. This ensures balanced strength and core engagement.
Aim to complete 2-3 rounds per side, resting as needed between rounds.
1. Dumbbell swing x 30
(Hold the dumbbells with both hands)
Form signals:
Feet are hip-width apart
Hinge at the hips (not squat)
Drive through your heels and squeeze your glutes
The dumbbells should swing to chest height using momentum from your hips, not your arms
Keep your spine neutral and active
Why I love it: Builds your glutes, hamstrings, and strength while raising your heart rate.
2. Standing lunges x 12 (each leg)
(leading with one leg for the round)
Form signals:
Step one foot forward and stay planted
Drop your back knee straight down toward the floor
The front knee tracks over the toes
The chest stays long, the heart busy
Push through front heel to stand
Why it’s great: Strengthens legs and buttocks while improving balance.
3. Dumbbell squat x 15
Form signals:
Hold the dumbbells at your sides or in a cup shape
Sit at your hips as if you were sitting on a chair
Keep your chest lifted and the weight in your heels
Trace the knees outward
Exhale while standing
4. Side lunges x 8 (each side)
Form signals:
Step wide to the side
Sit at the hip of the working leg
Keep the opposite leg straight
The chest remains erect
Push back to center through heel
This exercise targets the inner thighs and buttocks while improving hip mobility.
5. Rebel ranks x 10 total
(5 per arm)
Form signals:
Start in a plank position with hands on dumbbells
Wide feet for stability
Keep your hips as still as possible
Pull one dumbbell toward your rib cage
Alternative aspects
Why it’s great: Builds upper body strength and core stability.
6. Side plank x 40 seconds
(Drive one side each round)
Form signals:
Elbow below shoulder
The body is in a straight line from head to heels
I raised my hips
The core is busy, no slouch
Breathe steadily
This exercise strengthens the obliques and deep core muscles.
How to organize exercise
Complete the full circle leading with one side
Repeat the circuit to the other side
Rest for 60-90 seconds between rounds if necessary
Aim for a total of 2-3 rounds per side
Total workout time: ~20-30 minutes
Screen-friendly workout summary
heating:
5-7 minutes (walking + dynamic movement)
Circuit (2-3 rounds per side):
Dumbbell swings x 30
Standing Lunges x 12
Squats x 15
Side lunges x 8
Rebel rows x 10
Side plank x 40 seconds
*Switch lead side and repeat.
Tell me, my friends: Do you exercise on vacation? For me, it depends on a few factors, like if we’re going to be walking all day (I never work out at Disney haha) or if there are local studios I’d like to try, or a comfortable gym at the hotel. I also love Sculpt Society at my Airbnb or hotel!
Let me know if you give this a try!
xo
Jenna