Friday 1 Dec 2006: PULL, CLB, TWIST

PULLING, CLIMBING, TWISTING

The idea for this workout came from Jim Biancolo over at Lean and Hungry Fitness. Jim has a nice site that fits in with many of the methods we use around here.

Perform ten rounds of the following cycle in twenty minutes.

Advanced:

• 30 seconds - Body Rows or Pull-ups
• 30 seconds - Mountain Climbers
• 30 seconds - Russian Twists
  (Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet on the floor. Extend your arms and clasp your hands in front of you. Crunch up so that your shoulder blades are off the ground. Now twist your midsection to the left and to the right so that your arms are parallel to the floor. Once to each side equals one rep. This exercise can also be performed holding a medicine ball or weight in your hands or with a broomstick behind your shoulders.)
• 30 seconds - Rest

Even though Advanced trainees are accustomed to doing 30 second sets of Pull-ups, the overall intensity of this workout makes the Body Rows an acceptable substitution. If you think the Body Rows are too easy, try the completely suspended version shown in the Body Row link or do them sprint-style and attempt to get 20-30 reps in each round.

Intermediate:

• 30 seconds - Body Rows
• 30 seconds - Squat Thrusts
• 30 seconds - Russian Twists or Regular Crunches
• 30 seconds - Rest

Basic:

• 30 seconds - Body Rows
• 30 seconds - Half-Squats
• 30 seconds - Crunches
• 30 seconds - Rest

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Thursday 30 Nov 2006: 30/90 SPRINTS

The terrific, the terrifying...

30/90 SPRINTS

Advanced:

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

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Wednesday 29 Nov 2006: PULL LADDER + 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

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Tuesday 28 Nov 2006: 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 27 Nov 2006: SPARTAN RUN #2

SPARTAN RUN #2

30/30 = 30 seconds work, 30 seconds rest

Advanced:

• Run 5 minutes
• Repeat twice:
  30/30 Pull-ups
  30/30 Sit-ups
  30/30 Burpees
  30/30 Squats
  30/30 Bear Crawls (substitute Crab Crawls on second circuit)
• Run 5 minutes

Intermediate:

• Run-walk 5 minutes
• Repeat twice:
  30/30 Partial, Assisted or Jumping Pull-ups
  30/30 Sit-ups or Crunches
  30/30 Squat Thrusts
  30/30 Squats
  30/30 Bear Crawl (substitute Crab Crawls on second circuit)
• Run-walk 5 minutes

Basic:

• Powerwalk 5 minutes
• Repeat twice:
  30/30 Body Rows
  30/30 Crunches
  30/30 Jumping Jacks
  30/30 Half-Squats
  30/30 Bear Crawl (substitute Crab Crawls on second circuit)
• Powerwalk 5 minutes

Post results to Comments.

Sunday 26 Nov 2006: REST DAY

REST DAY

Saturday 25 Nov 2006: RUN FOR DISTANCE

RUN FOR DISTANCE

Advanced:
Run for twenty minutes.

Intermediate:
Run-walk for twenty minutes.

Basic:
Powerwalk hill repeats for twenty minutes.

Post results to Comments.

Friday 24 Nov 2006: 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

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Thursday 23 Nov 2006: SPRINT PYRAMID

The Thanksgiving Day Fitness Solution...

SPRINT PYRAMID

Just the thing to get the metabolism revved up before the turkey and dressing.

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 22 Nov 2006: 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)

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Tuesday 21 Nov 2006: B-CIRCUITS

Today's agony brought to you by Bryce Lane, inventor of sick but effective workout routines like the infamous...

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 Knee Bend: 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.

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Monday 20 Nov 2006: 30/30 CALS

30/30 CALISTHENICS

Today's workout uses 30/30 intervals (30 seconds work, 30 seconds rest, repeat for allotted time). Perform one set of each exercise during the intervals; you should perform five sets of pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, and squats.

Advanced:

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

Intermediate:

• 5 x 30/30 Partial, Assisted, or Jumping Pull-ups
• 5 x 30/30 Sit-ups or Crunches
• 5 x 30/30 Push-ups (go to your knees if necessary)
• 5 x 30/30 Squats

Basic:

• 5 x 30/30 Body Rows
• 5 x 30/30 Crunches
• 5 x 30/30 Knee Push-ups
• 5 x 30/30 Half-Squats

Post results to Comments.

Sunday 19 Nov 2006: REST DAY

REST DAY

Saturday 18 Nov 2006: RUN FOR TIME

RUN FOR TIME

Advanced:

Run for twenty minutes.

Intermediate:

Run-walk for twenty minutes.

Basic:

Powerwalk hill repeats for twenty minutes.

Post results to Comments.

Friday 17 Nov 2006: PULL PUSH CRAWL

This ought to be fun...

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 Nov 2006: 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 15 Nov 2006: PULL OTM

PULL-UPS ON THE MINUTE

Perform a set of pull-ups at the top of every minute for twenty minutes. Intermediate and Basic trainees should substitute Partial, Assisted, and Jumping Pull-ups or Body Rows as necessary. Keep your reps well below max.

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Tuesday 14 Nov 2006: JUMP SQ + BW SQ

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 13 Nov 2006: TIMED SETS

TIMED SETS

Perform timed sets of pull-ups, sit-ups, and push-ups for twenty minutes. Insert one minute of rest between each set. Complete all sets for each exercise before proceeding to the next exercise.

You should only perform four sets of each exercise. Do not try to add sets within the allotted time after your form breaks down.

Advanced:

• Max Pull-ups in:
  1 minute
  45 seconds
  30 seconds
  15 seconds
• Max Sit-ups in:
  1 minute
  45 seconds
  30 seconds
  15 seconds
• Max Push-ups in:
  1 minute
  45 seconds
  30 seconds
  15 seconds

Intermediate:

• Max Assisted, Partial, or Jumping Pull-ups in:
  1 minute
  45 seconds
  30 seconds
  15 seconds
• Max Sit-ups or Crunches in:
  1 minute
  45 seconds
  30 seconds
  15 seconds
• Max Push-ups (go to your knees if necessary) in:
  1 minute
  45 seconds
  30 seconds
  15 seconds

Basic:

• Max Body Rows in:
  1 minute
  45 seconds
  30 seconds
  15 seconds
• Max Crunches in:
  1 minute
  45 seconds
  30 seconds
  15 seconds
• Max Knee Push-ups in:
  1 minute
  45 seconds
  30 seconds
  15 seconds

Post results to Comments.

Sunday 12 Nov 2006: REST DAY

REST DAY

Saturday 11 Nov 2006: RUN FOR DISTANCE

RUN FOR DISTANCE

Advanced:
Run for twenty minutes.

Intermediate:
Run-walk for twenty minutes.

Basic:
Powerwalk hill repeats for twenty minutes.

Post results to Comments.

Friday 10 Nov 2006: STRENGTH CIRCUIT

STRENGTH CIRCUIT

Complete as many rounds as possible in twenty minutes.

• A set of Pull-ups or Chin-ups
  (e.g. Wide, Regular, Narrow, Mixed Grip, Towel, Rope, etc.)
• A set of Squat Jumps
  (e.g. Box Jumps, Hurdle Jumps, Star Jumps, Power Skipping, etc.)
• A set of Push-ups
  (e.g. Regular, Wide, Narrow, Hindu, Divebomber, Elevated, Handstand, Dips, etc.)
• A set of Squats (non-jumping)
  (e.g. Full, Medium, or Short Range of Motion; Sumo; Hindu; etc.)

Keep the reps well below max in each set.

Advanced:

• Pull-ups
• Squat Jumps
• Push-ups
• Bodyweight Squats

Intermediate:

• Partial, Assisted, or Jumping Pull-ups
• Half-Squat Jumps
• Push-ups
• Bodyweight Squats

Basic:

• Body Rows
• Walking Lunges
• Knee Push-ups
• Half-Squats

Post results to Comments.

Thursday 9 Nov 2006: 30/90 SPRINTS

Manmaker or Widowmaker?

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 8 Nov 2006: 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.

Post results to Comments.

Tuesday 7 Nov 2006: 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

Post results to Comments.

Lance Armstrong's Marathon Debut

Monday 6 Nov 2006: PFT

PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST

It's the first Monday of the month. The monthly PFT is a great way to evaluate your progress. It is also a great workout in itself, and it only takes twenty minutes.

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 Nov 2006: REST DAY

REST DAY

Saturday 4 Nov 2006: RUN FOR DISTANCE

RUN FOR DISTANCE

Advanced:
Run twenty minutes for distance.

Intermediate:
Run-walk twenty minutes for distance.

Basic:
Powerwalk hill repeats.

Post results to Comments.

Friday 3 Nov 2006: JJ - PU CHALLENGE

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.

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Thursday 2 Nov. 2006: CRAWL...SPRINT

CRAWL...SPRINT!

Advanced-Intermediate:
Complete as many rounds as possible in twenty minutes.

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

Intermediate-Basic:

• 5 x 30/30 Bear Crawls (30sec. crawl, 30sec. rest, repeat)
• 5 x 15/45 Sprints (15sec. sprint, 45 sec. rest, repeat)
• 5 x 30/30 Crab Crawls
• 5 x 15/45 Sprints

Post results to Comments.