Wednesday 1 April 2009: 3 POWERFUL 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).
• Reverse or Hindu Squats
• Countertop or Atlas Push-ups

Post results to Comments.

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 31 March 2009: JUST SQUAT THRUSTS

 ONE SIMPLE EXERCISE

Squat Thrusts

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.)

Post results to Comments.

Monday 30 March 2009: TIMED SETS CIRCUITS

 TIMED SETS CIRCUITS

Perform four rounds of the following circuit.

• Round One perform each exercise for 60 seconds
• Round Two perform each exercise for 45 seconds
• Round Three perform each exercise for 30 seconds
• Round Four perform each exercise for 15 seconds
• Rest 1 minute between each set of exercises in all four rounds.

Advanced:

• Pull-ups
• Sit-ups
• Push-ups

Intermediate:

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

Basic:

• Body Rows
• Crunches
• Knee Push-ups

Post results to Comments.

Matt Wiggins is having a sale on his training programs.
http://workingclassfitness.com

Sunday 29 March 2009: REST

 REST DAY

Saturday 28 March 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.

Matt Wiggins is having a sale on his training programs.
http://workingclassfitness.com

Friday 27 March 2009: 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.

Wednesday 26 March 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 25 March 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 24 March 2009: BP / SQ-Thr CHALLENGE

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 - Basic:

• Squat Thrusts - Up
• Half Squats - Down

Post results to Comments.

Monday 23 March 2009: 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

Post results to Comments.

Sunday 22 March 2009: REST

 REST DAY

Saturday 21 March 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 20 March 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 19 March 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.

Wednesday 18 March 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.

Tuesday 17 March 2009: 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.

Post results to Comments.

B-Circuits are covered in Bryce's excellent booklet Fitness Secrets of the Road Ninja. I also highly recommend The Booklet of Bodyweight Power and A Mighty River of Steel.

Monday 16 March 2009: 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 Squats30/30
  -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 15 March 2009: REST

 REST DAY

Saturday 14 March 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 13 March 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 12 March 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

Post results to Comments.

Wednesday 11 March 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.

Tuesday 10 March 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 9 March 2009: 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)

Post results to Comments.

Sunday 8 March 2009: REST

 REST DAY

Saturday 7 March 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 6 March 2009: FIFTEEN MINUTES

FIFTEEN MINUTES

The following circuit takes fifteen minutes to complete. Intermediate and Basic trainees should take short rests between exercises as necessary. Advanced trainees should move between exercises as quickly as possible.

You may want to spend a couple of minutes warming the body before the workout by performing jumping jacks and/or basic mobility exercises.

Advanced:

• 1 minute: Max Pull-ups
• 1 minute: Max Sit-ups
• 1 minute: Max Push-ups
• 2 minutes: Max Squats
• 10 minutes: High Intensity Cardio
  (E.g. Skip rope fast, Sprints, Running, Burpees, etc.)

Intermediate:

• 1 minute: Max Partial Pull-ups or Body Rows
• 1 minute: Max Sit-ups or Crunches
• 1 minute: Max Push-ups (go to your knees if necessary)
• 2 minutes: Max Squats or Half-Squats
• 10 minutes: Intense Cardio
  (E.g. Skip rope, Sprints, Jumping Jacks, Squat Thrusts, etc.)

Basic:

• 1 minute: Max Body Rows
• 1 minute: Max Crunches
• 1 minute: Max Knee Push-ups
• 2 minutes: Max Half-Squats
• 10 minutes: Cardio
  (E.g. Skip rope, Sprints, Jumping Jacks, etc.)

Post results to Comments.

Thursday 5 March 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.

Wed 4 Mar 2009: PULL OTM

 Sorry for the delay in posting today's workout. I sent the post in last night (I thought), but for some reason it was not on the blog today. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. -Joel

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 3 March 2009: CONDITIONING CIRCUITS

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 1 March 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.