Halloween is the time of year that brings back memories of candy and costumes. It also brings back memories of piles of pumpkins in most grocery stores. On the one hand, they are used a lot for cooking, but they can also be used for exercise. And to go ahead with the gourd workout, you need to choose a gourd that is heavy enough to give you a good workout like any other medicine ball. Here are some ways to make the best use of pumpkin for a full-body workout.

The Pumpkin Twist Lunge

This lunge move will provide a full-body workout, and to engage your abs, you need to add a twist. Step your right foot forward with both legs at about a 90-degree angle. Once you find your balance, turn to the right as far as you can while holding the pumpkin tight. Repeat with the other foot, while turning in the opposite direction. Keep alternate feet in place or do the exercise as you go. Continue for three sets of 12 on each side either way.

The One-Legged Pumpkin Deadlift

The single leg deadlift is a test of balance and is performed as an exercise for the hamstrings, back, and glutes. Rotate at the hips while standing on one leg as you lower the pumpkin to ground level and bring the other leg up behind you. Press the buttock of the raised leg and lift your body back using the glutes and hamstrings, back to the starting position. You must keep your back flat throughout the movement. Continue with each leg for three sets of 10.

The Pumpkin Pie Chop

Stand with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart and raise the gourd in front of you. Now balance the gourd on your head using your core power (not using your arms power) while rotating your hips, chin, and toes in the same direction. Now lower the pumpkin back down as if you were swinging a golf club below the waist to your left, again rotating your hips, chin, and toes in the same direction. In the meantime, focus on your abs and don’t use your momentum to do the work for you.

The Overhead Pumpkin Press Sumo Squat

While standing in a slightly wider than normal squat, point your toes slightly out. This works the smaller lower body muscles in the squat routine while also working the larger ones even more. If an overhead press is added, it works like a compound movement where more than one muscle group is used in one exercise effectively cutting your work time in half. Raise the pumpkin overhead without locking your elbows. Continue for three sets of 12.

In addition to physical exercise, dancing has also been found to keep your brain sharp and prevent dementia as you age. While listening to music while dancing, the workout feels less exhausting compared to simple exercises. So why not include some music while you do pumpkin exercises?