Thursday 1 Jan 2009: SPRINT 8

 First workout of the year. No better place to start than with a...

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 31 Dec 2008: ALT PULL-PU 02M

 Last one of the year...

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 30 Dec 2008: 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.

Monday 29 Dec 2008: 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 28 Dec 2008: REST DAY

 REST DAY

Saturday 27 Dec 2008: 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 26 Dec 2008: 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 25 Dec 2008: 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.

Wednesday 24 Dec 2008: 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 23 Dec 2008: BP/SQ-THR PYRAMID

BURPEE -- SQUAT THRUST PYRAMID

Perform a pyramid of burpees and squat thrusts for twenty minutes.

To perform a pyramid, begin by performing one rep of the chosen exercise, rest, then two reps, rest, then three reps, and so on until you reach the "top" of the pyramid. Then begin retracing the steps you took to reach that number (e.g. 10 reps, rest, 9 reps, rest, 8 reps, etc.). The "top" of the pyramid can either be predetermined (e.g. 5, 10, 15, 20 reps) or can be ascertained by the inability to complete the required number of reps for the next step (e.g. 6 reps, 7 reps, 5 reps - you missed a set). In either case, the trainee should stop building sets and "descend" the pyramid by performing decreasing sets of his/her chosen exercise.

For this WOD you should go by feel. We do not set predetermined numbers as goals on the TMFS blog, but if you have previous experience with burpees and know your limits, you may choose to do so. A better method will simply be to go by feel. If you are becoming very fatigued and are struggling to complete each set, stop increasing the reps and begin descending with the next exercise. If you complete the pyramid and have extra time left within the twenty minute time limit, go ahead and begin another pyramid until time expires.

During our workout today we will be using a more challenging exercise on the way "up" the pyramid and a less challenging exercise on the way "down." For example, an advanced trainee will perform sets of burpees (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.) until he reaches the top, then he will perform squat thrusts on the way down (10, 9, 8, 7, 6, etc.).

How long should you rest? That is up to the individual. You know your level of conditioning. You should rest long enough to catch your breath and recover the strength to continue but not long enough for your heartrate to return entirely to normal levels (it should drop somewhat, however).

Advanced:

• Burpees - Up
• Squat Thrusts - Down

Intermediate:

• Squat Thrusts - Up
• Half Squats - Down

Basic:

• Half Squats - Up
• Jumping Jacks - Down

Post results to Comments. 

Monday 22 Dec 2008: 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 21 Dec 2008: REST DAY

 REST DAY

Saturday 20 Dec 2008: 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 19 Dec 2008: 30/90 PU/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.

Thursday 18 Dec 2008: 30/90 SPRINTS

The signature sprint workout...

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 17 Dec 2008: 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.

Post results to Comments.

Tuesday 16 Dec 2008: 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 15 Dec 2008: 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 - Sunday 11-14 Dec 2008: WODs

DAILY WORKOUTS FOR:

Thursday 11 Dec 2008: SPRINT PYRAMID

Friday 12 Dec 2008: 90/30 CALISTHENICS

Saturday 13 Dec 2008: RUN FOR DISTANCE

Sunday 14 Dec 2008: REST DAY

Post results to Comments for this post.

Wednesday 10 Dec 2008: 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.

Tuesday 9 Dec 2008: 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 8 December 2008: 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.

Monday 8 December 2008: 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.

Sunday 7 December 2008: REST

REST DAY

Saturday 6 Dec 2008: 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 5 Dec 2008: 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 5 Dec 2008: 10 X 10 SPRINTS

10 X 10 SPRINTS

Same workout for everyone today. Adjust the intensity of each sprint interval according to your individual ability. You should be out of breath after each sprint interval, but you should recover quickly enough to begin the next assigned sprint.

• 5 minutes - Cardio Activity
  (E.g. Run, Run-in-place, Jumping Jacks, Skip Rope, Bear or Crab Crawl)
  Pick an exercise that raises your heartrate and can be sustained for five minutes. This is a general warm-up, not a sprint. If you are out of breath, you are pushing too hard.
• Repeat 10x:
  10 seconds - Sprint
  50 seconds - Jog/Walk to recover
• 5 minutes - Cardio Activity

Post results to Comments.

Wednesday 3 Dec 2008: 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, or jumping pull-ups or body rows as necessary.


Post results to Comments.

Tuesday 2 Dec 2008: LOWER BODY STRENGTH

LOWER BODY STRENGTH

Complete ten of the following circuits in twenty minutes.

Advanced:

• 45/15 Squats
• 45/15 Lunges

Intermediate-Basic:

• 30/30 Squats
• 30/30 Lunges

45/15 = 45 seconds work, 15 seconds rest

30/30 = 30 seconds work, 30 seconds rest

Post results to Comments.