Friday - Saturday 1-2 May 2009: CHALLENGE / RUN FOR DISTANCE

Saturday 2 May 2009: RUN FOR DISTANCE

 
Friday 1 May 2009
 
JUMPING JACK + PUSH-UP CHALLENGE


Today's workout involves two ten-minute challenges.

For the first ten minutes, perform as many jumping jacks as possible, resting as necessary.

During the second ten minutes, perform as many push-ups as possible.

Intermediate and Basic trainees should substitute Knee Push-ups as necessary.

Post results to Comments.

Thursday 30 April 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 29 April 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 28 April 2009: BOXING

 BOXING CONDITIONING

Advanced - Four rounds of:

  • 4 minutes - Shadowbox (include kicks, knees, and elbow strikes as desired)
  • 1 minute - Rest
    During rest perform:
    -Round 1 - a set of push-ups
    -Round 2 - a set of crunches
    -Round 3 - a set of squats
    -Round 4 - a set of push-ups

Intermediate - Five rounds of:

  • 3 minutes - Shadowbox  (include kicks, knees, and elbow strikes as desired)
  • 1 minute - Rest
    During rest perform:
    -Round 1 - 5-15 push-ups
    -Round 2 - 15-30 crunches
    -Round 3 - 10-20 squats
    -Round 4 - 15-30 crunches
    -Round 5 - 5-15 push-ups

Basic - Seven rounds of:

  • 2 minutes - Shadowbox
  • 1 minute - Rest

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Monday 27 April 2009: FIVE EXERCISES

FIVE BASIC EXERCISES

This circuit can be performed virtually anywhere. It requires very little room to complete. When time crunched, try performing a single circuit (10 minutes) for a quick physical and mental boost.

Complete two of the following circuits in twenty minutes.

  • 2 minutes - Sun Salutations
  • 1 minute - Squats
  • 1 minute - Push-ups
  • 1 minute - Sit-ups or Leg Raises
  • 5 minutes - Jump Rope, Jumping Jacks, or Run in Place

Modifications for Intermediate and Basic trainees

  • Perform Half-Squats instead of Squats
  • Perform Knee Push-ups instead of Push-ups
  • Perform Crunches instead of Sit-ups
  • Perform Cardio Exercise 30/30 style (30 sec. work, 30 sec. rest)

Post results to Comments.

Saturday 25 April 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 24 April 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 23 April 2009: SPEEDPLAY

 SPEEDPLAY (Fartlek)

Perform intermittent sprints of varying lengths and intensities during brisk walking and easy running (or jogging) for twenty minutes.

Today's workout involves random combinations of fast walking, easy running, and sprinting. After several minutes (~5 minutes) of powerwalking and/or easy running, begin performing intermittent sprints. Vary the length and intensity of each sprint (E.g. Sprint for twenty seconds, jog for 90 seconds, sprint hard for ten seconds, walk/jog for two minutes, etc.).

If you are unable to recover sufficiently by jogging, reduce your pace to a walk. Go slower at first than you think is necessary. It is easy to overdo it on this workout. Vary your pace every one to three minutes throughout the twenty minutes training session.

Ideas to incorporate in your workout:

  • High intensity sprints of 8-15 seconds
  • Medium intensity sprints of 15-30 seconds
  • High/medium intensity running for 1-3 minutes
  • Sets of Jumping Jacks, Burpees, Mountain Climbers, or Jump Squats
  • Sets of Squats, Lunges, or Pushups
  • Bear Crawling or Crab Crawling

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Wednesday 22 April 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.


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Tuesday 21 April 2009: CONDITIONING

CONDITIONING INTERVALS

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

Advanced:

Intermediate:

Basic:

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Monday 20 April 2009: 5 X 4

 5 x 4 MINUTE ROUNDS

Complete five rounds of the following circuit in twenty minutes.

Advanced:

  • 30 seconds - Push-ups
  • 30 seconds - Crunches
  • 1 minute - Squats
  • 2 minutes - Jump Rope/Jumping Jacks/Squat Thrusts

Intermediate-Basic:

  • 15/15 - Push-ups (15 seconds work, 15 seconds rest)
  • 15/15 - Crunches (15 seconds work, 15 seconds rest)
  • 30/30 - Squats (30 seconds work, 30 seconds rest)
  • 2 minutes - Jump Rope/Jumping Jacks/Squat Thrusts

Post results to Comments.

Saturday 18 April 2009: RUN FOR DISTANCE

RUN FOR DISTANCE

Advanced:
Run for twenty minutes.

Intermediate:
Run-walk for twenty minutes.

Basic:
Powerwalk for twenty minutes.

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Friday 17 April 2009: PULL, PU, CRAWL

 PULLING, PUSHING, & CRAWLING

Complete as many rounds as possible in twenty minutes.

Advanced:

  • A set of Pull-ups
  • 30 seconds - Bear Crawl
  • A set of Push-ups
  • 30 seconds - Crab Crawl

Intermediate:

  • A set of Partial, Assisted, or Jumping Pull-ups
  • 20-30 seconds - Bear Crawl
  • A set of Push-ups (go to your knees if necessary)
  • 20-30 seconds - Crab Crawl

Basic:

  • A set of Body Rows
  • 15-20 seconds - Bear Crawl
  • A set of Knee Push-ups
  • 15-20 seconds - Crab Crawl

Post results to Comments.

Thursday 16 April 2009: 30/90 SPRINTS

30/90 SPRINTS

Advanced:

  • Run 5 minutes
  • Repeat five times:
    Sprint 30 seconds
    Recover 90 seconds
  • Run 5 minutes

Intermediate:

  • Run-walk 5 minutes
  • Repeat five times:
    Sprint 20-30 seconds
    Recover 90-100 seconds
  • Run-walk 5 minutes

Basic:

  • Powerwalk 5 minutes
  • Repeat five times:
    Sprint 15-20 seconds
    Recover 100-105 seconds
  • Powerwalk 5 minutes

Post results to Comments.

Wednesday 15 April 2009: PU OTM

PUSH-UPS ON THE MINUTE

Perform a set of push-ups at the top of every minute for twenty minutes.

Intermediate and Basic trainees should substitute knee push-ups as necessary.

Lots of Push-ups!

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Tuesday 14 April 2009: CONDITIONING

CONDITIONING CIRCUITS

Complete as many circuits as possible in twenty minutes.

Advanced:

  • 30 seconds - Walking Lunges
  • A set of Burpees
  • Bear Crawl back to start(Or 30 sec. crawl)

Intermediate - Basic:

  • 20-30 seconds - Walking Lunges
  • A set of Squat Thrusts
  • Bear Crawl back to start(Or 20-30 sec. crawl)

Post results to Comments.

Monday 13 April 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.

Saturday 11 April 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 10 April 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 9 April 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

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Wednesday 8 April 2009: HT-SM PU/PULL

HIGH TENSION, SLOW-MOTION:
PUSH-UPS & PULL-UPS

Today's workout uses high tension techniques and slow reps to increase the difficulty of two of our favorite bodyweight exercises: the push-up and the pull-up. High tension involves a conscious, greater than necessary contraction of the muscles involved in each exercise. Imagine that you are pressing or pulling a tremendous weight as you perform each exercise. Slow motion will also be utilized on each rep to enhance the difficulty. Slow motion reps help increase the strength building value of the exercise while protecting the joints from injury.

Do not hold your breath during these exercises. If you find the reps too difficult to complete: Reduce the amount of tension you are generating, and/or Move to an easier version of the exercise.

The sets and reps listed below are suggestions. The idea is to perform five sets of each exercise with each set lasting approximately 0.5-1 minute and with 1-1.5 minutes of rest between sets. You may find it necessary to decrease the number of reps, increase the speed of the reps, or decrease the amount of tension being generated. Feel free to adjust the sets/reps as necessary.

Perform one set of HT-SM Pushups at the top of every second minute for ten minutes. (On the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th minutes)

Perform one set of HT-SM Pull-ups at the top of every second minute for ten minutes. (On the 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th, and 19th minutes)

Advanced:

  • 5 x 5 High-tension, Slow-mo Pushups
    (5-6 seconds down, 5-6 seconds up)
    (Rest at least one minute between sets)
  • 5 x 5 High-tension, Slow-mo Pull-ups
    (5-6 seconds down, 5-6 seconds up)
    (Rest at least one minute between sets)

Intermediate:

  • 5 x 5 High-tension, Slow-mo Knee Pushups
    (3-6 seconds down, 3-6 seconds up)
    (Rest at least one minute between sets)
  • 5 x 5 High-tension, Slow-mo Lying Body Rows
    (3-6 seconds down, 3-6 seconds up)
    (Rest at least one minute between sets)

Basic:

  • 5 x 5 High-tension, Slow-mo Countertop Pushups
    (3-6 seconds down, 3-6 seconds up)
    (Rest at least one minute between sets)
  • 5 x 5 High-tension, Slow-mo Standing Body Rows
    (3-6 seconds down, 3-6 seconds up)
    (Rest at least one minute between sets)

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Tuesday 7 April 2009: ANIMAL CONDITIONING

Go wild with...
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 6 April 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 5 April 2009: REST

 REST DAY

Saturday 4 April 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 3 April 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.

Thursday 2 April 2009: SPRINT + JUMP

 SPRINT + JUMP

Complete ten circuits of the following in twenty minutes.

Advanced:

  • Sprint: 15 seconds
  • Tuck Jumps: 5 seconds
    (Perform a squat jump but in midair bring your knees to your chest.)
    Rest: 100 seconds

Intermediate:

  • Sprint: 15 seconds
  • Squat Jumps: 5 seconds
    (Squat until your thighs are parallel to the ground, then jump into the air. Land softly.)
  • Rest: 100 seconds

Basic:

  • Sprint: 10-15 seconds
  • Half-Squat: 10 seconds
    (Squat until your thighs are almost parallel to the ground.)
  • Rest: 95-100 seconds

Post results to Comments.