Workout Description
AMRAP in 20 minutes
5 Pull-Ups
10 Push-Ups
15 Air Squats
Why This Workout Is Medium
Cindy is a 20-minute bodyweight triplet with simple movements but relentless pacing. Using the framework: low load density, moderate movement complexity (pull-ups), and a 20-minute time domain yield a medium score (~43). The limiter is muscular stamina and aerobic steadiness rather than max strength or high skill. Managing push-up fatigue is typically the bottleneck.
Training Focus
This workout develops the following fitness attributes:
- Stamina (8/10): High total reps of push-ups, air squats, and pull-ups tax local muscular endurance, especially pressing. Success depends on managing small sets and minimizing rest across the full 20 minutes.
- Endurance (7/10): Twenty minutes of continuous movement elevates heart rate throughout. Minimal rest and frequent transitions train aerobic capacity even without a monostructural element like running or rowing.
- Speed (6/10): Quick cycle rates and transitions add up over 20 minutes. Keeping round times tight and avoiding lingering between movements improves scores without needing all-out sprint speed.
- Power (3/10): Explosiveness is secondary. Kipping pull-ups have a small power component, but the workout rewards smooth, repeatable cycles more than high-force efforts or heavy lifts.
- Strength (2/10): No external load and small unweighted sets mean maximal strength isn’t the limiter. Basic bodyweight strength suffices; repeatable contractions and capacity matter more than one-rep power.
- Flexibility (2/10): Standard ranges of motion—full-depth squats, rigid plank in push-ups, chin over bar—require solid but not extreme mobility. Most athletes meet standards with a normal warm-up.
Scaling Options
Scale to: Ring Row instead of Pull-Up • Incline/Bench Push-Up or from knees • 3-6-9 rep scheme (3 Pull-Up, 6 Push-Up, 9 Air Squat)
Scaling Explanation
These options preserve the pull–push–squat pattern and steady pacing while matching strength and capacity so athletes keep moving safely for the full 20 minutes.
Intended Stimulus
This should feel like steady cardio with manageable sets and minimal rest. Keep breathing under control, move smoothly, and maintain consistent round times. Squats should stay unbroken, push-ups are the fatigue limiter so break early and often, and pull-ups should be efficient. Aim to sustain pace rather than spike and crash.
Coach Insight
Pace the start at 80–85% effort and aim for 1 round every 60–75 seconds. Break push-ups early (e.g., 5-3-2) to protect stamina.
One tip: Keep transitions tiny—move immediately between stations, then breathe while setting hands or shaking out.
Avoid sprinting the opening minutes, letting push-ups hit failure, and over-gripping pull-ups. Use an efficient kip and relaxed hands.
Benchmark Notes
Your score is total rounds plus extra reps in 20 minutes. Aim for repeatable round times and minimal rest. Beginners might target 8–12 rounds; fitter athletes 14–20+. Use a whiteboard or chips to track rounds so you don’t lose count under fatigue.
Modality Profile
All three movements are gymnastics-based bodyweight exercises. There is no monostructural cardio and no external loading, so the entire effort focuses on pulling, pushing, and squatting capacity. Transitions provide brief micro-rests, but nearly 100% of the time is spent on gymnastics tasks.
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