Workout Description

Why This Workout Is Hard

While using only bodyweight movements, the workout's structure creates significant fatigue through burpees appearing in all three couplets (48 total burpees). The descending rep scheme provides minimal relief as each new couplet starts before full recovery. The combination of push-ups after burpees particularly taxes the upper body, while squats and lunges compound lower body fatigue throughout.

Benchmark Times for Bare Cove Travel WOD 12

• Elite: <4:00
• Advanced: 4:30-5:00
• Intermediate: 5:45-6:30
• Beginner: >12:00

Training Focus

This workout develops the following fitness attributes:

• Stamina (9/10): Multiple rounds of bodyweight movements with burpees repeated in each section creates extreme muscular endurance demands, especially in pushing muscles.
• Endurance (8/10): High volume of burpees across three descending rep schemes creates significant cardiovascular demand. Limited rest opportunities force sustained aerobic output.
• Speed (7/10): For-time format with descending rep schemes encourages fast transitions and quick movement cycling, especially in early rounds.
• Flexibility (4/10): Burpees and lunges require moderate hip and ankle mobility. Push-ups demand shoulder mobility and core stability.
• Power (3/10): Burpees have a minor explosive component in the stand-up and jump, but fatigue limits power output as rounds progress.
• Strength (2/10): Exclusively bodyweight movements focusing on endurance rather than maximal strength. Push-ups provide minimal strength stimulus.

Movements

• Air Squat
• Burpee
• Lunge
• Push-Up

Scaling Options

Beginner option: Reduce to 15-12-9 for all three couplets. Scale burpees to step-back burpees or step-ups to a target. Modify push-ups to knee push-ups or elevated push-ups. For lunges, reduce range of motion or substitute air squats. Advanced athletes can add a target touch overhead on burpees or make push-ups hand-release for additional difficulty.

Scaling Explanation

Scale if unable to perform 10+ unbroken standard burpees or maintain proper push-up form for sets of 8+. Target completion time is 8-12 minutes - scale volume if estimated time exceeds 15 minutes. Prioritize full range of motion on all movements over speed. The workout should feel challenging but manageable with brief rest periods between sets. Form breakdown on push-ups or burpees indicates need for scaling.

Intended Stimulus

Moderate-intensity glycolytic workout targeting the 8-12 minute time domain. Primary focus is on muscular endurance and mental toughness with descending rep schemes. The burpee-focused pyramid creates cumulative fatigue while testing different pushing and squatting movement patterns.

Coach Insight

Break up burpees strategically from the start - consider sets of 7-7-7 in the first round. Maintain consistent movement standards as fatigue builds. Quick transitions between movements are key, but don't rush at expense of form. The descending rep scheme allows for increased intensity as volume decreases. Watch for form breakdown in push-ups during middle section when shoulders are pre-fatigued from burpees.

Benchmark Notes

This workout is a descending rep scheme burpee-centric chipper. Let's break it down: 1. First section (21-15-9): - Burpees: 45 reps at 3-4s/rep = 135-180s - Air Squats: 45 reps at 1-1.5s/rep = 45-67.5s 2. Second section (15-12-9): - Burpees: 36 reps at 3.5-4.5s/rep (fatigue) = 126-162s - Push-Ups: 36 reps at 1.5-2s/rep = 54-72s 3. Third section (12-9-6): - Burpees: 27 reps at 4-5s/rep (heavy fatigue) = 108-135s - Lunges: 27 reps at 2-2.5s/rep = 54-67.5s Total burpees: 108 reps Transitions between movements: ~5-10s each x 5 transitions = 25-50s This workout is most similar to Annie (50-40-30-20-10 double-unders and sit-ups) in terms of total volume and rep scheme pattern, but with more demanding movements. Using Annie's benchmarks (L10: 300-360s, L5: 480-600s, L1: 780-960s) as a base, we adjust up slightly due to the higher intensity of burpees vs double-unders. L10 target: ~240s (4:00) L5 target: ~390s (6:30) L1 target: ~720s (12:00) Female times adjusted 15% slower due to the bodyweight nature of the movements and recovery demands between sets.

Modality Profile

All movements (Air Squat, Burpee, Lunge, Push-Up) are bodyweight/gymnastics movements. Air Squat, Lunge, and Push-Up are classic bodyweight exercises, while Burpee is a compound gymnastics movement. With all 4 movements being gymnastics-based, this results in 100% gymnastics modality.