Workout Description

12 MINUTE EMOM: 1 BACK SQUATS @ 85% – 90%SCORE IS TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPLETED REPS

Why This Workout Is Extremely Hard

This workout combines maximal loading (85-90% back squat) with forced pacing that prevents adequate recovery. The EMOM format allows only 45-50 seconds rest between near-max singles, creating cumulative CNS fatigue over 12 minutes. Most athletes will fail reps mid-workout as their 1RM effectively drops under fatigue. The combination of maximal loads with insufficient recovery makes this brutally difficult - only elite athletes can maintain this intensity.

Training Focus

This workout develops the following fitness attributes:

  • Strength (9/10): Primary focus on maximum strength with heavy back squats at 85-90% 1RM loads.
  • Flexibility (4/10): Back squats require good ankle, hip, and thoracic mobility for proper depth and positioning.
  • Endurance (3/10): Minimal cardiovascular demand due to single rep efforts with full minute recovery between sets.
  • Power (2/10): Heavy squats have some explosive component but primarily strength-focused at these percentages.
  • Stamina (1/10): Only one rep per minute with complete rest eliminates muscular endurance requirements.
  • Speed (1/10): Full minute recovery allows deliberate, controlled movement with no time pressure.

Movements

  • Back Squat

Benchmark Notes

This is a 12-minute EMOM (Every Minute on the Minute) with 1 back squat at 85-90% 1RM per minute. The score is total reps completed. Analysis: At 85-90% 1RM, this is very heavy loading requiring singles with substantial rest between attempts. Elite athletes (L10) should complete all 12 minutes successfully, managing the heavy load with good technique and recovery. The key limiting factors are: 1) Strength endurance at high percentage, 2) Central nervous system fatigue accumulation, 3) Technical breakdown under fatigue. Most athletes will start missing reps around minute 8-10 as CNS fatigue sets in. Advanced athletes (L8-L9) should complete 11-12 reps. Intermediate athletes (L5-L6) will likely complete 9-11 reps before form breakdown or failure. Novice athletes (L1-L3) may struggle with the loading and complete 6-8 reps. The workout has built-in rest (remainder of each minute), but the high percentage loading makes each rep increasingly difficult. No direct anchor comparison available for this specific format, but similar to max effort strength endurance work. Final targets: L10: 12 reps, L5: 10 reps, L1: 6 reps.

Modality Profile

Back Squat is a barbell movement with external load, making it 100% Weightlifting

Training Profile

AttributeScoreExplanation
Endurance3/10Minimal cardiovascular demand due to single rep efforts with full minute recovery between sets.
Stamina1/10Only one rep per minute with complete rest eliminates muscular endurance requirements.
Strength9/10Primary focus on maximum strength with heavy back squats at 85-90% 1RM loads.
Flexibility4/10Back squats require good ankle, hip, and thoracic mobility for proper depth and positioning.
Power2/10Heavy squats have some explosive component but primarily strength-focused at these percentages.
Speed1/10Full minute recovery allows deliberate, controlled movement with no time pressure.

12 MINUTE EMOM: 1 BACK SQUATS @ 85% – 90%SCORE IS TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPLETED REPS

Difficulty:
Extremely Hard
Modality:
W
Your Scores:

Training Profile

Performance Levels
L1
L2
L3
L4
L5
L6
L7
L8
L9
L10
RookieNoviceIntermediateAdvancedPro/Elite