Workout Description

Why This Workout Is Hard

While burpees and sit-ups are basic movements, the 30-minute duration combined with the EMOM format creates significant cumulative fatigue. The 10 burpees every 2 minutes (150 total) is particularly challenging, as they're full-body and cardio-intensive. Even with 50 seconds rest between sets, sustaining the required pace for 30 minutes will be very demanding for the average CrossFitter.

Training Focus

This workout develops the following fitness attributes:

• Stamina (8/10): High-volume burpees and sit-ups test muscular endurance, with 150 burpees and 300 sit-ups total challenging both upper body and core stamina.
• Endurance (7/10): 30-minute EMOM format creates sustained cardiovascular demand through consistent work intervals with minimal rest, requiring steady aerobic capacity throughout.
• Speed (6/10): Quick transitions and efficient movement patterns essential to complete prescribed reps within each minute and recover before next interval.
• Power (4/10): Burpees require moderate power output for standing jumps, but fatigue makes maintaining explosive movement challenging over time.
• Flexibility (3/10): Basic mobility required for burpee push-ups and hip flexion in sit-ups, but no extreme ranges of motion needed.
• Strength (2/10): Primarily bodyweight movements that don't significantly test maximal strength, focusing instead on repeated submaximal efforts.

Movements

• Burpee
• Sit-Up

Scaling Options

Burpee modifications: Step-out burpees, no push-up at bottom, or no jump at top. Sit-up modifications: Crunches, V-ups, or anchored sit-ups. Volume options: Reduce to 8 burpees and 15 sit-ups. Time options: Start with 20 minutes instead of 30. Rest option: Add 5-10 seconds rest at end of each minute if needed.

Scaling Explanation

Scale if unable to complete burpees in under 25 seconds with good form or if sit-ups take more than 35 seconds consistently. Priority is maintaining movement quality and completing all reps each minute. Target effort level should be 7/10 - conversational pace but challenging. Scale if heart rate spikes above 90% max or form deteriorates. Success means completing all reps with 5-10 seconds rest each minute.

Intended Stimulus

Moderate-intensity aerobic workout lasting 30 minutes. Primary focus is oxidative energy system with brief glycolytic spikes. Tests muscular endurance and mental toughness through sustained effort. The alternating pattern challenges recovery and breathing control between movements.

Coach Insight

Start conservatively - burpees should take 20-25 seconds, leaving time to recover. Sit-ups should take 25-30 seconds. Maintain consistent pace throughout rather than sprinting early minutes. For burpees, focus on efficient transitions and controlled breathing. For sit-ups, keep core tight and maintain steady rhythm. Common mistake is rushing first 10 minutes then struggling later. Break sit-ups into 10-10 if needed.

Benchmark Notes

This is a 30-minute EMOM with alternating movements: Odd minutes (15 rounds): 10 Burpees - Fresh burpee time: 3-4 sec/rep - 10 reps = 30-40 sec working time per round - Maximum possible: 15 rounds × 10 reps = 150 burpees Even minutes (15 rounds): 20 Sit-Ups - Fresh sit-up time: 1-1.5 sec/rep - 20 reps = 20-30 sec working time per round - Maximum possible: 15 rounds × 20 reps = 300 sit-ups Theoretical maximum total reps: 450 (150 burpees + 300 sit-ups) Fatigue factors: - Burpees become significantly harder after minute 10 - Later rounds will see 20-30% slowdown - Some athletes will miss reps in later rounds Using Fight Gone Bad as closest anchor (3 rounds of 5 movements, similar intensity): - L10 = 430-500 reps - L5 = 300-340 reps - L1 = 180-220 reps Adjusted slightly down due to: - Longer duration (30 min vs 17 min) - Higher fatigue impact of burpees - Forced pacing of EMOM format Final benchmarks: L10 (Elite): 380+ reps (completing nearly all rounds) L5 (Intermediate): 300 reps (missing some reps in later rounds) L1 (Beginner): 150 reps (completing about half the work)

Modality Profile

Both Burpees and Sit-Ups are bodyweight/gymnastics movements, making this workout 100% gymnastics modality. No monostructural cardio or weighted movements are present.