I’m sharing a winter travel workout for you. This is a very simple dumbbell circuit workout that you can do anywhere!
Hello friends! what are you doing I hope your week is off to a great start! We drive back from Princess _ I’ll share the adventures in Friday’s Faves – and head home for discovery calls and all the holiday baking.
Today, I wanted to talk a little about travel workouts and share a quick and fun one for you!
Traveling during the winter months can be magical… and also a little disruptive to your routine. Between flights, family time, cold weather, and being out of your normal environment, workouts can often be 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 regular routines when I’m out of town. It’s fast, effective and only requires a set of moderate dumbbells. You can do it in a hotel room, Airbnb, or even a small living space, and it hits your legs, glutes, core, and upper body while getting your heart rate up.
The goal is not to overwhelm yourself. it’s about moving your body, maintaining strength and feeling good while traveling.
Why strength training while traveling matters
When you travel (especially in winter), movement tends to decrease, sleep can be disrupted, and inflammation can worsen.
Short full-body strength workouts can help:
Maintenance of muscles and metabolism
Improve circulation after long days of travel
Support energy levels
Reduce joint stiffness and pain
Keep your stress hormones under control
This circuit-style workout gives you all of that in less than 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 treadmill)
Process in place
Dynamic movements such as:
Arm circles
Hip circles
Body weight squats
Walking lunges
Inchworms
Torso twists
The goal is to feel warm and prepared for your body.
Winter training circuit with travel dumbbells
You will complete this circuit by driving on one side and then repeat it by driving on the opposite side. This ensures balanced strength and core engagement.
Aim to complete 2-3 rounds per side, resting as needed between rounds.
1. Dumbbell Swings x 30
(Hold a dumbbell with both hands)
Create passwords:
Feet hip width apart
Hip joint (not squatting)
Drive through your heels and squeeze your glutes
The dumbbell should swing at chest height using momentum from your hips, not your arms
Keep your spine neutral and your core engaged
Why I love it: Builds glutes, hamstrings and strength while getting the heart rate up.
2. Stationary Lunges x 12 (each leg)
(Lead with one foot for the round)
Create passwords:
Take one foot forward and stay planted
Drop your back knee straight toward the floor
Front knee tracks over toes
Chest stays high, core engaged
Push off the front heel to stand
Why it’s great: Strengthens legs and glutes while improving balance.
3. Squats with dumbbells x 15
Create passwords:
Hold dumbbells at your sides or goblet style
Sit back on your hips as if you were sitting in a chair
Keep your chest up and the weight in your heels
Knees move outward
Exhale as you stand
4. Sidewalks x 8 (each side)
Create passwords:
Step wide to the side
Sit on the hip of the working leg
Keep the opposite leg straight
The chest remains erect
Push back to center through the heel
This exercise targets the inner thighs and glutes while improving hip mobility.
5. Renegade Rows x 10 total
(5 per arm)
Create passwords:
Start in a plank position with hands on dumbbells
Wide feet for stability
Keep the hips as still as possible
Pull a dumbbell toward your rib cage
Alternate sides
Why it’s great: Builds upper body strength and core stability.
6. Side plank x 40 seconds
(Front with one side per round)
Create passwords:
Elbow below the shoulder
Body in a straight line from head to heels
Hips lifted
The core is engaged, without relaxation
Breathe steadily
This exercise strengthens the oblique and deep core muscles.
How to structure training
Complete the full circuit leading with one side
Repeat the leading circuit with the opposite side
Rest 60–90 seconds between rounds if needed
Aim for 2-3 total rounds per side
Total training time: ~20–30 minutes
Screenshot-Friendly Workout Summary
Warm-up:
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
Renegade series x 10
Side plank x 40 seconds
*Switch cable side and repeat.
So tell me, friends: do you workout on vacation? For me, it depends on a few factors like if we’ll be walking all day (I never work out at Disney lol) or if there are local studios I want to try or a convenient hotel gym. I love too Sculpt Society at Airbnb or at the hotel!
Please let me know if you try this!
xo
Gina
