Wednesday 31 November 2010: THREE 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.

Monday 29 November 2010: HT-SL PULL/PU

HIGH TENSION, SLOW-MO:
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)

Post results to Comments.

Sunday 28 November 2010: REST

REST DAY

Saturday 27 November 2010: 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 November 2010: POWER 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 25 November 2010: 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 24 November 2010: 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.

Check out Bryce's Bodyweight page or Coach Ron's Push-ups page for ideas on advanced variations.

Tuesday 23 November 2010: 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 22 November 2010: 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 21 November 2010: REST

REST DAY

Saturday 20 November 2010: 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 November 2010: 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 18 November 2010: 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 17 November 2010: 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 16 November 2010: 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 15 November 2010: 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 14 November 2010: REST

REST DAY

Saturday 13 November 2010: 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 12 November 2010: 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 11 November 2010: 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 10 November 2010: 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 November 2010: 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.

Monday 8 November 2010: 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.

Monday 8 November 2010: 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 7 November 2010: REST

REST DAY

Saturday 6 November 2010: RUN FOR DISTANCE

RUN FOR DISTANCE

Advanced:
Run for twenty minutes.

Intermediate:
Run-walk for twenty minutes.

Basic:
Powerwalk for twenty minutes.

Friday 5 November 2010: 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

Thursday 4 November 2010: 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

Post results to Comments.

Wednesday 3 November 2010: MAX SETS - PU

MAX SETS: PUSH-UPS

Complete five max sets of push-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: Push-ups, Handstand PU, Wall PU, and/or Dips

Intermediate: Push-ups and/or Knee PU

Basic: Push-ups, Knee PU, and/or Countertop PU

Post results to Comments.

Tuesday 2 November 2010: 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.