Workout Description

Why This Workout Is Hard

While individual movements are basic, the combination creates significant metabolic fatigue with minimal rest. High knees into burpees immediately taxes the legs and lungs, then dips target already-fatigued pushing muscles. The high volume (60 high knees, 30 burpees) and continuous nature means limited recovery between rounds. Most athletes will need to break up burpees by round 3, extending workout time to 15-20 minutes.

Benchmark Times for Donna

• Elite: <12:00
• Advanced: 14:00-16:00
• Intermediate: 18:00-20:00
• Beginner: >30:00

Training Focus

This workout develops the following fitness attributes:

• Stamina (9/10): Large volume of repetitive movements taxes muscular endurance, particularly in pushing muscles (burpees, dips) and legs (high knees, squats).
• Endurance (8/10): High-rep bodyweight movements performed for 5 rounds with no prescribed rest creates significant cardiovascular demand, especially with high knees and burpees.
• Speed (7/10): Quick transitions between movements and fast cycling of high knees and burpees are essential for optimal performance.
• Power (4/10): Burpees require some explosive elements, and high knees demand quick leg drive, but movements are more endurance-focused.
• Flexibility (3/10): Basic mobility required for squats and burpees. Hip flexion for high knees and shoulder mobility for dips.
• Strength (2/10): Exclusively bodyweight movements with moderate resistance. Chair dips provide some upper body strength demand but not maximal.

Movements

• High Knees
• Burpee
• Air Squat

Scaling Options

High knees can be reduced to 40 reps or marching in place. Burpees can be scaled to step-back burpees or burpee walk-outs at 20 reps. Chair dips can be reduced to 10-15 reps or modified with feet on ground. Air squats can be done to a target (box/ball) or reduced to 8 reps. Consider reducing to 3-4 rounds for beginners.

Scaling Explanation

Scale if unable to maintain proper form on burpees after 15 reps, cannot perform 10+ strict chair dips, or if basic air squat mechanics need work. Priority is maintaining consistent movement quality and steady work rate throughout all rounds. Target time should be sub-20 minutes - scale volume if going significantly longer. Focus on full range of motion over speed.

Intended Stimulus

Moderate-length glycolytic workout targeting muscular endurance and mental toughness, typically lasting 12-18 minutes. Primary focus is on bodyweight conditioning with high volume pushing and leg drive. The workout challenges local muscular endurance in shoulders, legs and core while maintaining a steady elevated heart rate.

Coach Insight

Break high knees into 30/30 sets to maintain quality movement. For burpees, aim for sets of 10 with brief rest to avoid form breakdown. Chair dips can be broken into 2 sets of 10 or 4 sets of 5 depending on pushing capacity. Keep air squats unbroken but controlled. Transition quickly between movements. Focus on maintaining consistent pace across all 5 rounds rather than sprinting early rounds.

Benchmark Notes

This workout is most similar to Annie (50-40-30-20-10 double-unders + sit-ups) in terms of rep scheme and movement patterns, though with higher intensity movements. Breakdown per round (elite pace): Round 1: High Knees (45s) + Burpees (90s) + Dips (30s) + Squats (10s) + transitions (15s) = 190s Round 2: Apply 1.0x fatigue = 190s Round 3: Apply 1.1x fatigue = 209s Round 4: Apply 1.2x fatigue = 228s Round 5: Apply 1.3x fatigue = 247s Total elite time: ~1064s (17:44) Scaling from Annie benchmark (L10: 300-360s, L5: 480-600s, L1: 780-960s): - This workout is roughly 2.4x longer due to higher intensity movements - Burpees create significant fatigue impact - More transitions between movements Final benchmarks (M/F): L10: 12:00 / 15:00 L5: 20:00 / 23:00 L1: 30:00 / 33:00

Modality Profile

All movements are bodyweight/gymnastics: High Knees (bodyweight coordination), Burpee (gymnastics), Chair Dip (bodyweight/gymnastics), Air Squat (bodyweight/gymnastics). With all 4 movements being gymnastics-based, this workout is 100% gymnastics modality.