Winter Travel Workout: A Simple Dumbbell Circuit You Can Do Anywhere

Sharing a winter travel workout for ya. This is a super simple dumbbell circuit workout that you can do anywhere!

Hi friends! How are you? I hope that your week is off to a great start! We’re driving back from the Princess _ I’ll share the adventures in Friday Faves – and heading home for discovery calls and all of the holiday baking.

Today, I wanted to chat a bit 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 to go.

The good news is that you don’t need a full gym or hours of time to get in movement while traveling.

This winter travel workout is one of my go-to routines when I’m out of town. It’s quick, effective, and requires just one 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 isn’t to crush yourself; it’s to move your body, maintain strength, and feel good while traveling.

Why Strength Training While Traveling Matters

When you’re traveling (especially in winter), movement tends to drop, sleep can be off, and inflammation can creep up.

Short, full-body strength workouts can help:

Maintain muscle and metabolism

Improve circulation after long travel days

Support energy levels

Reduce stiffness and joint pain

Keep stress hormones in check

This circuit-style workout gives you all of that in under 30 minutes.

Warm-Up (5–7 Minutes)

Before jumping into the circuit, take a few minutes to warm up and get blood flowing.

You can choose:

Brisk walking (outside or treadmill)

Marching in place

Dynamic movements like:

Arm circles

Hip circles

Bodyweight squats

Walking lunges

Inchworms

Torso twists

The goal is to feel warm and prepped for your body.

Winter Travel Dumbbell Workout Circuit

You’ll complete this circuit leading with one side, then repeat it leading with the opposite side. That 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 one dumbbell with both hands)

Form cues:

Feet hip-width apart

Hinge at the hips (not a squat)

Drive through your heels and squeeze your glutes

The dumbbell should swing to chest height using momentum from your hips, not your arms

Keep your spine neutral and core engaged

Why I love it: Builds glutes, hamstrings, and power while elevating heart rate.

2. Stationary Lunges x 12 (each leg)

(Lead with one leg for the round)

Form cues:

Step one foot forward and stay planted

Drop your back knee straight down toward the floor

Front knee tracks over the toes

Chest stays tall, core engaged

Push through the front heel to stand

Why it’s great: Strengthens legs and glutes while improving balance.

3. Dumbbell Squats x 15

Form cues:

Hold dumbbells at your sides or goblet-style

Sit back into your hips like you’re sitting into a chair

Keep chest lifted and weight in your heels

Knees track outward

Exhale as you stand

4. Lateral Lunges x 8 (each side)

Form cues:

Step wide to the side

Sit into the hip of the working leg

Keep the opposite leg straight

Chest stays upright

Push back to center through the heel

This exercise targets inner thighs and glutes while improving hip mobility.

5. Renegade Rows x 10 total

(5 per arm)

Form cues:

Start in a plank position with hands on dumbbells

Feet wide for stability

Keep hips as still as possible

Pull one dumbbell toward your rib cage

Alternate sides

Why it’s great: Builds upper-body strength and core stability.

6. Side Plank x 40 seconds

(Lead with one side per round)

Form cues:

Elbow under shoulder

Body in a straight line from head to heels

Hips lifted

Core engaged, no sagging

Breathe steadily

This exercise trengthens obliques and deep core muscles.

How to Structure the Workout

Complete the full circuit leading with one side

Repeat the circuit leading with the opposite side

Rest 60–90 seconds between rounds if needed

Aim for 2–3 total rounds per side

Total workout time: ~20–30 minutes

Screenshot-Friendly Workout Summary

Warm-Up:

5–7 minutes (walk + dynamic movement)

Circuit (2–3 rounds per side):

Dumbbell swings x 30

Stationary lunges x 12

Squats x 15

Lateral lunges x 8

Renegade rows x 10

Side plank x 40 seconds

*Switch lead side and repeat.

So tell me, friends: do you workout on vacation? For me, it depends on a few factors, like whether 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 also love Sculpt Society in the Airbnb or hotel!

Please let me know if you give this one a try!
xo

Gina

The post Winter Travel Workout: A Simple Dumbbell Circuit You Can Do Anywhere appeared first on The Fitnessista.