Workout Description

Why This Workout Is Hard

While the movements are basic, the volume and structure create significant difficulty. The 100 burpees coming after a run and crunches will spike heart rate dramatically. The 150 push-ups following this creates upper body fatigue that compounds through the workout. With 2000m total running interspersed throughout and no built-in rest periods, this becomes a 25-35 minute grind that tests both muscular endurance and cardiovascular capacity.

Benchmark Times for Ernie

• Elite: <17:00
• Advanced: 19:00-21:00
• Intermediate: 23:00-25:00
• Beginner: >40:00

Training Focus

This workout develops the following fitness attributes:

• Endurance (9/10): Five 400m runs combined with high-rep bodyweight movements creates significant cardiovascular demand. The running intervals prevent full recovery and maintain elevated heart rate throughout.
• Stamina (8/10): High volume of bodyweight movements (550 total reps) plus running tests muscular endurance across multiple muscle groups, particularly core, pushing, and legs.
• Speed (6/10): Quick transitions between movements and maintaining running pace are important. High-rep sets require efficient movement cycling.
• Flexibility (3/10): Basic mobility required for burpees, push-ups, and air squats. No extreme ranges of motion or challenging positions needed.
• Power (3/10): Burpees require some explosive movement, but workout emphasis is on sustained effort rather than power output.
• Strength (2/10): Exclusively bodyweight movements with no external load. Strength demands are primarily related to moving body mass repeatedly.

Movements

• Air Squat
• Burpee
• Crunch
• Push-Up
• Run

Scaling Options

Running: Reduce to 200m or substitute row/bike. Crunches: Keep as-is or reduce to 75. Burpees: Reduce to 50-75, step-back variation okay. Push-ups: Scale to 75-100 reps, use knee push-ups or elevated surface. Air squats: Reduce to 100-150, use target/box for depth. Time cap of 45 minutes recommended for scaled versions. Overall volume can be reduced 25-40% while maintaining movement pattern and time domain.

Scaling Explanation

Scale if unable to perform 20+ unbroken push-ups, 50+ air squats, or run 400m without stopping. Priority is maintaining consistent movement and intensity throughout - better to scale and keep moving than go Rx and face long breaks. Scaled athletes should target 30-45 minute completion time. Form deterioration on push-ups or loss of squat depth are key indicators to scale. Goal is steady work rate vs sprint/rest cycles.

Intended Stimulus

Long-duration oxidative workout (25-40 minutes) with significant aerobic demand. Combines steady-state running with high-volume bodyweight movements. Primary challenge is maintaining consistent output while managing fatigue across multiple movement patterns. Tests muscular endurance and mental toughness.

Coach Insight

Break up bodyweight movements early into manageable sets - don't go unbroken. For burpees, sets of 20-25 with short rest. Push-ups in sets of 15-20. Air squats in sets of 25-30. Maintain consistent run pace around 70% effort - don't sprint. Focus on controlled breathing throughout. Common mistake is going too hard on first run/crunches and burning out. Consider writing target set breakdowns before starting. Keep transitions under 20 seconds between movements.

Benchmark Notes

This workout is most similar to Angie in structure (high-rep calisthenics with running intervals). Key analysis: 1. Running segments (5 x 400m): - Fresh: 90s per 400m - Progressive fatigue multiplier: 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 - Total elite run time: 90 + 99 + 108 + 117 + 126 = 540s 2. Calisthenics: - 100 Crunches: 1s/rep = 100s - 100 Burpees: 3s/rep = 300s - 150 Push-Ups: 1.5s/rep = 225s - 200 Air Squats: 1.5s/rep = 300s 3. Movement interference: - Running impacts burpees (+15%) - Push-ups after burpees (+20%) - Air squats after accumulated fatigue (+25%) 4. Transitions: ~5s between each segment Comparing to Angie (L10 = 15-18min), this workout is about 15% longer due to: - Added running (2000m total) - Burpees instead of pull-ups (more taxing) - Higher total rep count Final targets: L10 (Elite): 17:00 (1020s) L5 (Intermediate): 25:00 (1500s) L1 (Beginner): 40:00 (2400s)

Modality Profile

Of the 5 movements, 4 are gymnastics (Air Squat, Burpee, Crunch, Push-Up = 80%) and 1 is monostructural (Run = 20%). No weightlifting movements present.