REST DAY
20 minute workouts posted Monday thru Saturday requiring little or no equipment to complete.
Saturday 31 December 2011: RUN FOR DISTANCE
RUN FOR DISTANCE
Advanced:
Run for twenty minutes.
Intermediate:
Run-walk for twenty minutes.
Basic:
Powerwalk for twenty minutes.
Friday 30 December 2011: TRIPLE-UPs
TRIPLE UPs: PULL-UP, SIT-UP, PUSH-UP
Perform as many supersets of pull-ups, sit-ups, and push-ups as possible in twenty minutes.
A superset is done by performing one set of each exercise back to back to back with little or no rest in between. Choose a number of reps that is well below your max to prevent early burnout during the training session. The training effect today will come from the overall volume of exercise combined with short rest periods, not max effort sets. Rest between supersets as necessary.
Intermediate and Basic trainees should substitute assisted, partial, or jumping pull-ups, body rows, crunches, and knee push-ups as necessary.
Thursday 29 December 2011: 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
Monday 26 December 2011: 30/30 CALS CIRCUIT
30/30 CALISTHENICS CIRCUIT
Complete 5 rounds of the following circuit in twenty minutes.
30/30 = 30 seconds work, 30 seconds rest
Advanced:
- 30/30 Pull-ups
- 30/30 Sit-ups
- 30/30 Push-ups
- 30/30 Squats
Intermediate:
- 30/30 Partial, Assisted, or Jumping Pull-ups
- 30/30 Sit-ups or Crunches
- 30/30 Push-ups (go to your knees if necessary)
- 30/30 Squats
Basic:
- 30/30 Body Rows
- 30/30 Crunches
- 30/30 Knee Push-ups
- 30/30 Half- Squats
Saturday 24 December 2011: RUN FOR DISTANCE
RUN FOR DISTANCE
Advanced:
Run for twenty minutes.
Intermediate:
Run-walk for twenty minutes.
Basic:
Powerwalk for twenty minutes.
Friday 23 December 2011: 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
Thursday 22 December 2011: 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
Wednesday 21 December 2011: 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.
Tuesday 20 December 2011: CONDITIONING
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
Monday 19 December 2011: 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
Saturday 17 December 2011: RUN FOR DISTANCE
RUN FOR DISTANCE
Advanced:
Run for twenty minutes.
Intermediate:
Run-walk for twenty minutes.
Basic:
Powerwalk for twenty minutes.
Friday 16 December 2011: STR-COND-POW CIRCUITS
STRENGTH, CONDITIONING & POWER CIRCUITS
Complete as many rounds as possible in twenty minutes. Rest as necessary between rounds.
- A set of Push-ups
(Intermediate and Basic substitute Knee Push-ups as necessary.) - 30 seconds - Power Skip
(Skip like a girl but pump your arms and thrust your knees high. Focus on power.) - A set of Squats
(Intermediate and Basic substitute Half-Squats as necessary.) - 30 seconds Bear Crawl (or crawl back to start)
(Bend forward and crawl on your hands and feet. Keep your knees and body off the ground.)
Thursday 15 December 2011: 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
Wednesday 15 December 2011: 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.
Tuesday 13 December 2011: B-CIRCUITS
Today's workout was developed by Bryce Lane.
B-CIRCUITS
Complete as many circuits as possible in twenty minutes.
If you are not accustomed to plyometric training or are obese, perform the Basic WOD.
Advanced:
- 12 Short Range Squat Jumps(Half-Squat Jumps: Squat until your elbows touch your knees and thighs are parallel to ground and then jump for height or distance)
- 12 Full Range Squat Jumps(Deep Squat Jumps: Squat deep until your hands touch the ground and then jump for height or distance)
- 20 High Tension Bodyweight Squats(Squat while maintaining conscious tension of the leg mucles)
Intermediate:
- 6 Short Range Squat Jumps
- 6 Full Range Squat Jumps
- 10 High Tension Bodyweight Squats
Basic:
- 5 Half-Squat Jumps
- 10 Lunges (Each leg)
- 10 Calf Raise and Flex
Are you tempted to cheat on the jump as your legs become tired? Try Traveling B-Circuits by jumping for distance instead of height. Try to cover the same total distance on each circuit as the workout progresses to ensure that you are pushing yourself adequately.
Monday 12 December 2011: 5BX
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)
Saturday 10 December 2011: RUN FOR DISTANCE
RUN FOR DISTANCE
Advanced:
Run for twenty minutes.
Intermediate:
Run-walk for twenty minutes.
Basic:
Powerwalk for twenty minutes.
Friday 9 December 2011: MAX PULLS
MAX SETS: PULL-UPS
Complete five max sets of pull-ups at five minute intervals. Perform sets at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes.
These are max sets but not to muscle failure. Perform the maximum number of repetitions possible while maintaining good form, but stop short of actual muscle failure (you may go to failure on the last set if you prefer).
Advanced: Pull-ups and/or Chin-ups
Intermediate: Partial or Assisted Pull-ups or Body Rows
Basic: Body Rows
Wednesday 8 December 2011: 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
Wednesday 7 December 2011: 3 POWER CALS
Physical Culture Classics
THREE POWERFUL CALISTHENICS
Repeat the following circuit for twenty minutes.
Advanced - Intermediate:
- Dive Bomber or Hindu Push-ups
- Reverse or Hindu Squats
- Atlas Push-ups
Atlas Push-ups: Place your hands in the seats of two chairs. With your body held straight, dip yourself between the chairs. This exercise is similar to a countertop push-up, but it stretches and utilizes more of the chest muscles.
Basic:
- Yoga Push-ups
Yoga Push-ups: Transition between Upward Facing Dog and Downward Facing Dog continously while keeping your arms straight (but not locked). - Countertop or Atlas Push-ups
Today's exercises can be found in many manuals on physical training. The above arrangement, however, was adapted from Pushing Yourself to Power by John E. Peterson. PYTP is a comprehensive collection of Dynamic Visualized Resistance and Dynamic Self Resistance exercises and includes many Isometric and Power Calisthenic exercises.
Tuesday 6 December 2011: ONE EXERCISE
ONE SIMPLE EXERCISE
Do as many Squat Thrusts as possible in twenty minutes.
Suggestions:
- A set at the top of every minute
- 30/30 style (30 seconds work, 30 second rest)
- Boxer Rounds (2-3 minutes work, 1 minute rest)
- Descending sets (20, 19, 18, 17, 16, etc.)
Monday 5 December 2011: 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
Saturday 3 December 2011: RUN FOR DISTANCE
RUN FOR DISTANCE
Advanced:
Run for twenty minutes.
Intermediate:
Run-walk for twenty minutes.
Basic:
Powerwalk for twenty minutes.
Friday 2 December 2011: 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