Thursday 1 October 2009: SPRINT 8

SPRINT 8

Today's workout is based on a sprint protocol designed by Phil Campbell, author of Ready, Set GO! Synergy Fitness for Time-Crunched Adults.

The sprints are progressive. The first sprint begins at a jog and climaxes at 50% of maximum effort; the second sprint goes from 40% at the beginning to 60% at the climax; the third sprint goes from 50-70%; the fourth sprint from 60-80%; the fifth sprint from 70-90%; the sixth sprint reaches 95% of maximum effort; the seventh and eighth sprints are run at 95-100% effort.

If you are not accustomed to the type of sprint training we do around here, do not max out on the final three sprints - climax between 80-90% of maximum effort.

Advanced:

• Run 5 minutes
• Repeat eight times:
  Sprint 15 seconds
  Recover 1 minute
• Run 5 minutes

Intermediate:

• Run-walk 5 minutes
• Repeat six-eight times:
  Sprint 15 seconds
  Recover 60-85 seconds
• Run-walk 5 minutes

Basic:

• Powerwalk 5 minutes
• Repeat four-six times:
  Sprint 15 seconds
  Recover 85-120 seconds
• Powerwalk 5 minutes

Post results to Comments. 

Thursday 1 October 2009: SPRINT 8

SPRINT 8

Today's workout is based on a sprint protocol designed by Phil Campbell, author of Ready, Set GO! Synergy Fitness for Time-Crunched Adults.

The sprints are progressive. The first sprint begins at a jog and climaxes at 50% of maximum effort; the second sprint goes from 40% at the beginning to 60% at the climax; the third sprint goes from 50-70%; the fourth sprint from 60-80%; the fifth sprint from 70-90%; the sixth sprint reaches 95% of maximum effort; the seventh and eighth sprints are run at 95-100% effort.

If you are not accustomed to the type of sprint training we do around here, do not max out on the final three sprints - climax between 80-90% of maximum effort.

Advanced:

• Run 5 minutes
• Repeat eight times:
  Sprint 15 seconds
  Recover 1 minute
• Run 5 minutes

Intermediate:

• Run-walk 5 minutes
• Repeat six-eight times:
  Sprint 15 seconds
  Recover 60-85 seconds
• Run-walk 5 minutes

Basic:

• Powerwalk 5 minutes
• Repeat four-six times:
  Sprint 15 seconds
  Recover 85-120 seconds
• Powerwalk 5 minutes

Post results to Comments. 

Wednesday 30 September 2009: PULL LADDERS + PU

PULL-UP LADDERS + SET OF PUSH-UPS

For today's workout, you will be performing pull-up ladders supersetted with sets of push-ups.

To do ladders: perform 1 pull-up, then a set of 2 pull-ups, then a set of 3 pull-ups, and so on until you miss a set (i.e. you should have done 6 pull-ups but only managed to do 5). After you miss a set, start building again at 1.

Insert a set of push-ups between each set of pull-ups. The push-ups don't have to be done in ladder format. Simply crank out a reasonable number that will provide a nice counterbalance to the pulling exercise without burning yourself out. Continue performing sets of each exercise for twenty minutes.

Advanced:

• Ladders of Pull-ups/Chin-ups
• Sets of Regular Push-ups

Intermediate and Basic:

• Ladders of Partial or Assisted Pull-ups or Body Rows
• Sets of Regular, Knee, or Countertop Push-ups

Post results to Comments. 

Tuesday 29 September 2009: ANIMAL CONDITIONING

ANIMAL CONDITIONING

Today's workout mimics various animal movements to facilitate cardio-strength conditioning.

• 30/30's - 30 seconds work, 30 seconds rest, repeat
• 15/45's - 15 seconds work, 45 seconds rest, repeat

Advanced:

• 5 x 30/30 Tiger Prowl (3x forward, 2x backward)
  (Bend forward to walk on your hands and feet as in a Bear Crawl. Bend your arms to ninety degrees and lower your body so that it hovers 3-6 inches above the ground. Walk in this position keeping your body low.)
• 5 x 30/30 Crab Crawl (3x forward, 2x backward)
  (Sit on the ground with your feet on the ground, knees bent, and your palms on the ground resting slightly behind your hips. Lift your pelvis so that your bodyweight is supported on your hands and feet. Walk on your hands and feet with your stomach pointed toward the sky.)
• 5 x 30/30 Kangaroo Jumps
  (Perform a Half-Squat. From the crounched position, swing your arms and leap forward with both feet. Continue for reps.)
• 5 x 15/45 Sprints
  (Okay, so this isn't exactly an animal movement. Pretend like you're sprinting for your life away from the Tigers, Bears, Crabs, and Kangaroos you have been imitating.)

Intermediate and Basic:

• 5 x 30/30 Bear Crawl (3x forward, 2x backward)
  (Bend forward and walk on your hands and feet.)
• 5 x 30/30 Crab Crawl (3x forward, 2x backward)
  (Sit on the ground with your feet on the ground, knees bent, and your palms on the ground resting slightly behind your hips. Lift your pelvis so that your bodyweight is supported on your hands and feet. Walk on your hands and feet with your stomach pointed toward the sky.)
• 5 x 30/30 Kangaroo Jumps
  (Perform a Half-Squat. From the crounched position, swing your arms and leap forward with both feet. Continue for reps.)
• 5 x 15/45 Sprints
  (Okay, so this isn't exactly an animal movement. Pretend like you're sprinting for your life away from the Tigers, Bears, Crabs, and Kangaroos you have been imitating.)

Post results to Comments. 

Monday 28 September 2009: SPARTAN RUN #3

Get ready. This one is tough.

SPARTAN RUN #3

Complete the following circuit in twenty minutes.

• Max Pull-ups in 1 minute
• Run 2 minutes
• Max Sit-ups in 1 minute
• Run 2 minutes
• Max Push-ups in 1 minute
• Run 2 minutes
  
  
• Max Pull-ups in 30 seconds
• Run 2 minutes
• Max Sit-ups in 30 seconds
• Run 2 minutes
• Max Push-ups in 30 seconds
• Run 2 minutes
  
  
• Max Pull-ups in 30 seconds
• Max Sit-ups in 30 seconds
• Max Push-ups in 30 seconds
• Run 2 minutes

Intermediate and Basic trainees should substitute as necessary:

• Partial/Assisted Pull-ups or Body Rows for Pull-ups
• Crunches for Sit-ups
• Knee Push-ups for Push-ups
• Powerwalking for Running
• 30/30 or 15/15 Calisthenic Intervals for 1 minute or 30 second assigned Intervals
  (E.g. 30/30 Bodyrows instead of 1 minute Pull-ups; 15/15 Knee PU instead of 30 seconds Push-ups)

There are no assigned rest intervals in this WOD except as modified above. Your body will learn to recover "on the run" (literally). Pace yourself as necessary.

 

Post results to Comments. 

Saturday 26 September 2009: RUN FOR DISTANCE

RUN FOR DISTANCE

Advanced:
Run for twenty minutes.

Intermediate:
Run-walk for twenty minutes.

Basic:
Powerwalk for twenty minutes.

Post results to Comments. 

Friday 25 September 2009: JR + PU/SU

JUMP ROPE + PUSH-UPS/SIT-UPS

Jump/Skip rope in 30/30 intervals for twenty minutes performing quick sets of calisthenics during the rest intervals.

This is a challenging workout, but it is effective and very satisfying to complete. During the thirty seconds between sets of rope skipping you will complete a brief set of an additional exercise. Alternate sets of push-ups and sit-ups so that you perform ten sets of each during the twenty minutes.

You do not have long to perform each set. You also will need extra time to transition from skipping to pushing or crunching and back again. Plan to keep the sets small (e.g. 5-20 reps) and allow ~5 seconds for the first transition and 5-10 seconds for the transition back to the rope.

Start with sets of push-ups and sit-ups smaller than you think you can handle. This is a conditioning drill, not a strength workout.

This does not have to be done at an all-out sprint. Find a rhythm and work from one exercise to the other.

Advanced
Complete ten sets of:

• 30/30 Skipping Rope or Jumping Jacks
• A set of Push-ups
• 30/30 Skipping Rope or Jumping Jacks
• A set of Sit-ups

Intermediate - Basic
Complete ten sets of:

• 30/30 Skipping Rope or Jumping Jacks
• A set of Push-ups (go to your knees if necessary)
• 30/30 Skipping Rope or Jumping Jacks
• A set of Crunches

30/30 Interval = 30 seconds work, 30 seconds rest

 

Post results to Comments. 

Thursday 24 September 2009: SPRINT PYRAMID

SPRINT PYRAMID

Today's workout may look complicated, but it really isn't. Run sprints of 10, 15, 20, 30, 20, 15, and 10 seconds with 1 minutes recovery in between (90 seconds on each side of the 30 second sprint).

• 5 minutes - Run or Run-walk
• 10 seconds – Sprint
• 1 minute – Recovery
• 15 seconds – Sprint
• 1 minute – Recovery
• 20 seconds – Sprint
• 90 seconds – Recovery
• 30 seconds – Sprint
• 90 seconds – Recovery
• 20 seconds – Sprint
• 1 minute – Recovery
• 15 seconds – Sprint
• 1 minute – Recovery
• 10 seconds – Sprint
• 1 minute – Recovery
• 5 minutes - Run or Run-walk

Post results to Comments. 

Wednesday 23 September 2009: DIPS + CHINS

The tried and true bodybuilder...

DIPS + CHIN-UPS SUPERSETS

 

Perform sets of Dips and Chin-ups back to back for twenty minutes. Rest between supersets as necessary (e.g. set of dips, set of chins, rest, repeat).

Options for performing dips include parallel bars, positioning the hands on the backs of two chairs, or using the corner of a countertop.

Intermediate and Basic trainees should substitute chair dips, push-ups, or knee push-ups as necessary.

Post results to Comments. 

Tuesday 22 September 2009: CONDITIONING INTERVALS

CONDITIONING INTERVALS

Today's workout uses 30/30 intervals (30 seconds work, 30 seconds rest, repeat for time allotted).

Advanced:

• 5 x 30/30 Jumping Jacks or Jump Rope
• 5 x 30/30 Burpees
• 5 x 30/30 Mountain Climbers
• 5 x 30/30 Squats

Intermediate:

• 5 x 30/30 Jumping Jacks or Jump Rope
• 5 x 30/30 Squat Thrusts (add push-up if possible)
• 5 x 30/30 Mountain Climbers
• 5 x 30/30 Squats

Basic:

• 5 x 30/30 Jumping Jacks or Jump Rope
• 5 x 30/30 Half-Squats or Squat Thrusts
• 5 x 30/30 Mountain Climbers
• 5 x 30/30 Half Squats

Post results to Comments. 

Monday 21 September 2009: TIMED SETS #4

TIMED SETS #4

• 60/60 - 60 seconds work, 60seconds rest
• 30/60 - 30 seconds work, 30 seconds rest

Repeat two times (2x):

• 60/60 Pull-ups
  60/60 Sit-ups
  60/60 Push-ups

Repeat two times (2x):

• 30/60 Pull-ups
• 30/60 Sit-ups
• 30/60 Push-ups

Substitutions for Intermediate & Basic Levels:

• For Pull-ups - Partial or Assisted or Jumping Pull-ups, Body Rows
• For Sit-ups - Crunches, Leg Levers, Flutter Kicks, other abdominal exercise variations
• For Push-ups - Knee Push-ups, Dips, other push-up variations

Post results to Comments. 

Sunday 20 September 2009: REST

REST DAY

Saturday 19 September 2009: RUN FOR DISTANCE

For some reason, some daily workouts have not been posting to the blog. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused, and I will do my best to make sure each day's blog workout is available. -JME

 

RUN FOR DISTANCE

Advanced:
Run for twenty minutes.

Intermediate:
Run-walk for twenty minutes.

Basic:
Powerwalk for twenty minutes.

Post results to Comments.  

Friday 18 September 2009: 30/90 PULL + CARDIO

30/90 PUSH-UPS / PULL-UPS + CARDIO

Perform five of the following circuits in twenty minutes.

• 30 seconds - A set of Push-ups
• 90 seconds - Cardio
• 30 seconds - A set of Pull-ups
• 90 seconds - Cardio

The sets of push-ups and pull-ups do not have to last the entire thirty seconds allotted for them. Simply perform a set based on your current ability, allowing adequate time to transition back to the cardio movement of your choice.

 

Cardio Suggestions:

• Jump Rope or Jumping Jacks or Squats
• Burpees or Squat Thrusts
• Running or Powerwalking
• Dumbbell/Kettlebell/Sand-jug Swings
• Heavy Bag Punching or Shadowboxing

Substitutions for Intermediate and Basic:

• Push-ups - Knee Push-ups
• Pull-ups - Partial, Assisted, or Jumping Pull-ups or BodyRows 

Post results to Comments.

Wednesday 16 September 2009: ALT PULL-PU O2M

PULL-UPS / PUSH-UPS EVERY SECOND MINUTE

Alternate sets of pull-ups and push-ups, performing one set at the beginning of every second minute. These sets should be close to muscle failure, stopping one or two reps short.

You will perform five sets of each exercise. Do a set of pull-ups on the 20th, 16th, 12th, 8th, and 4th minutes. Perform a set of push-ups on the 18th, 14th, 10th, 6th, and 2nd minutes.

 

Options

• Advanced Trainees:
  Pull-ups, Chin-ups, Rope Pull-ups, etc.
  Push-ups, Feet Elevated Push-ups, Dips, etc.
• Intermediate and Basic Trainees:
  Partial, Assisted, or Jumping Pull-ups or BodyRows
  Push-ups, Knee Push-ups, Countertop Push-ups

Post results to Comments. 

Tuesday 15 September 2009: J-SQ + BW-SQ #2

JUMP SQUATS + BODYWEIGHT SQUATS #2

Complete as many rounds as possible in twenty minutes.

Advanced - Intermediate:

• A set of Squat Jumps
  (e.g. Box Jumps, Hurdle Jumps, Star Jumps, Half-Squat Jumps, etc.)
• A set of Bodyweight Squats
  (e.g. Deep Knee Bends, Half Squats, Hindu Squats, Sumo Squats, Pistols, etc.)

If you are unaccustomed to plyometric training, perform the Basic WOD.

Basic:

• A set of Half Squats
• A set of Lunges
• A set of Calf Raises
• A set of Jumping Jacks

Post results to Comments. 

Monday 14 September 2009: DO IT ALL

DO IT ALL

Complete the following circuit five times:

• 30/30 Pull-ups
• 30/30 Sit-ups
• 30/30 Push-ups
• 30/30 Squats

30/30 = 30 seconds work, 30 seconds rest

 

Substitutions

• Pull-ups: Partial, Assisted, or Jumping Pull-ups or Body Rows
• Sit-ups: Crunches, Flutter Kicks, Leg Levers
• Push-ups: Dips, Knee Push-ups
• Squats: Squat Jumps, Half-Squats

Post results to Comments. 

Sunday 13 September 2009: REST

REST DAY 

Saturday 12 September 2009: RUN FOR DISTANCE

RUN FOR DISTANCE

Advanced:
Run for twenty minutes.

Intermediate:
Run-walk for twenty minutes.

Basic:
Powerwalk for twenty minutes.

Post results to Comments. 

Friday 11 September 2009: JR + PU/SU

JUMP ROPE + PUSH-UPS/SIT-UPS

Jump/Skip rope in 30/30 intervals for twenty minutes performing quick sets of calisthenics during the rest intervals.

This is a challenging workout, but it is effective and very satisfying to complete. During the thirty seconds between sets of rope skipping you will complete a brief set of an additional exercise. Alternate sets of push-ups and sit-ups so that you perform ten sets of each during the twenty minutes.

You do not have long to perform each set. You also will need extra time to transition from skipping to pushing or crunching and back again. Plan to keep the sets small (e.g. 5-20 reps) and allow ~5 seconds for the first transition and 5-10 seconds for the transition back to the rope.

Start with sets of push-ups and sit-ups smaller than you think you can handle. This is a conditioning drill, not a strength workout.

This does not have to be done at an all-out sprint. Find a rhythm and work from one exercise to the other.

Advanced
Complete ten sets of:

• 30/30 Skipping Rope or Jumping Jacks
• A set of Push-ups
• 30/30 Skipping Rope or Jumping Jacks
• A set of Sit-ups

Intermediate - Basic
Complete ten sets of:

• 30/30 Skipping Rope or Jumping Jacks
• A set of Push-ups (go to your knees if necessary)
• 30/30 Skipping Rope or Jumping Jacks
• A set of Crunches

30/30 Interval = 30 seconds work, 30 seconds rest

 

Post results to Comments. 

Thursday 10 September 2009: SPRINT PYRAMID

SPRINT PYRAMID

Today's workout may look complicated, but it really isn't. Run sprints of 10, 15, 20, 30, 20, 15, and 10 seconds with 1 minutes recovery in between (90 seconds on each side of the 30 second sprint).

• 5 minutes - Run or Run-walk
• 10 seconds – Sprint
• 1 minute – Recovery
• 15 seconds – Sprint
• 1 minute – Recovery
• 20 seconds – Sprint
• 90 seconds – Recovery
• 30 seconds – Sprint
• 90 seconds – Recovery
• 20 seconds – Sprint
• 1 minute – Recovery
• 15 seconds – Sprint
• 1 minute – Recovery
• 10 seconds – Sprint
• 1 minute – Recovery
• 5 minutes - Run or Run-walk

Post results to Comments. 

Wednesday 9 September 2009: ALT PULL-PU OTM

ALTERNATE PULL-UPS AND PUSH-UPS
ON THE MINUTE

Perform a set of pull-ups or push-ups at the top of every minute for twenty minutes. Perform pull-ups on the odd numbered minutes (1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19) and push-ups on the even numbered minutes (2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20). You will perform ten sets of each exercise. The alternating pattern will allow you to do more reps and/or more challenging reps in each set than you could do in superset fashion.

Advanced:

• Pull-ups or Chin-ups
• Push-ups, Dips, Handstand PU, or other challenging variation

Intermediate:

• Partial, Assisted, and/or Jumping Pull-ups
• Push-ups (go to your knees if necessary)

Basic:

• Bodyrows
• Knee Push-ups

Post results to Comments. 

Tuesday 8 September 2009: OH-SQ + SPRINT

OVERHEAD SQUAT + SPRINT

Complete as many rounds as possible in twenty minutes. Keep moving between rounds, i.e. walk or jog while catching your breath.

Advanced:

• 15 Overhead Squats w/ PVC Pipe, Broomhandle, or Clenched Fists in the Air
• 30 seconds Sprint
• Walk or jog back to the start and recover as necessary

Intermediate:

• 10 Overhead Squats w/ PVC Pipe, Broomhandle, or Clenched Fists in the Air
• 20 seconds Sprint
• Walk or jog back to the start and recover as necessary

Basic:

• 5 Overhead Squats w/ PVC Pipe, Broomhandle, or Clenched Fists in the Air
• 10 seconds Sprint
• Walk or jog back to the start and recover as necessary

Post results to Comments. 

Monday 7 September 2009: PFT

PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST

Advanced:

• Max Pull-ups in 1 minute
• Rest 1 minute
• Max Sit-ups in 1 minute
• Rest 1 minute
• Max Push-ups in 1 minute
• Rest 3 minutes
• Run 12 minutes for distance

Intermediate:

• Max Partial or Assisted Pull-ups or Body Rows
• Rest 1 minute
• Max Sit-ups or Crunches in 1 minute
• Rest 1 minute
• Max Push-ups in 1 minute
• Rest 3 minutes
• Run-walk 12 minutes for distance

Basic:

• Max Body Rows in 1 minute
• Rest 1 minute
• Max Crunches in 1 minute
• Rest 1 minute
• Max Knee Push-ups in 1 minute
• Rest 3 minutes
• Powerwalk 12 minutes for distance

Post results to Comments. 

Sunday 6 September 2009: REST

REST DAY 

Saturday 5 September 2009: RUN FOR DISTANCE

RUN FOR DISTANCE

Advanced:
Run for twenty minutes.

Intermediate:
Run-walk for twenty minutes.

Basic:
Powerwalk for twenty minutes.

Post results to Comments. 

Friday 4 September 2009: BP + PULL CHALLENGE

BURPEE + PULL-UP CHALLENGE

Today's workout involves back-to-back ten minute challenges.

Advanced:

• Perform as many burpees as possible in ten minutes
• Perform as many pull-ups as possible in ten minutes

Intermediate:

• Perform as many squat thrusts as possible in ten minutes
• Perform as many partial, assisted, or jumping pull-ups as possible in ten minutes

Basic:

• Perform as many jumping jacks as possible in ten minutes
• Perform as many body rows as possible in ten minutes

Post results to Comments. 

Thursday 3 September 2009: CRAWL...SPRINT #2

CRAWL...SPRINT #2

Same workout for everybody today, but adjust the intensity according to your ability.

Complete as many rounds as possible in twenty minutes.

• 30 seconds Bear Crawl
• 15 seconds Sprint
• 30 seconds Crab Crawl
• 15 seconds Sprint

Advanced trainees should rest as necessary between rounds.

 

Intermediate and Basic trainees should rest as necessary during each round.

 

30/30 = 30 seconds work, 30 seconds rest, repeat for specified repetitions
15/45 = 15 seconds work, 45 seconds rest, repeat for specified repetitions

 

Post results to Comments. 

Wednesday 2 September 2009: PU DROP SETS

PUSH-UP DROP SETS

Today we'll be applying a popular weightlifting technique to a bodyweight exercise. The concept is simple: perform a set of hard push-ups, then immediately perform a set of an easier push-up variation, then immediately perform a third set of an even easier version. This workout is tough; do not underestimate it. Keep the reps low, especially early in the session, to avoid burnout.

Complete as many drop sets as possible in twenty minutes.

Advanced:

• Feet Elevated PU
• Regular PU
• Knee PU

Intermediate:

• Regular PU
• Knee PU
• Countertop PU

Basic:

• Knee PU
• Countertop PU
• Countertop PU (move feet closer to the countertop)

Post results to Comments.