Workout Description

Why This Workout Is Hard

While the individual elements (18/13 cal row, 15 burpees) aren't extreme in isolation, the EMOM format creates significant challenge through sustained intensity. The 60-second window provides minimal rest (~15-20s) after burpees, leading to accumulated fatigue over 20 minutes. The row-burpee combination targets similar energy systems, making each round progressively more demanding as cardiovascular fatigue builds.

Benchmark Times for Death Row

• Elite: <10:00
• Advanced: 11:00-12:00
• Intermediate: 13:00-14:00
• Beginner: >20:00

Training Focus

This workout develops the following fitness attributes:

• Endurance (8/10): Twenty minutes of alternating high-intensity rowing and burpees creates significant cardiovascular demand with minimal rest, testing aerobic capacity and recovery between efforts.
• Stamina (7/10): Repeated sets of 15 burpees and sustained rowing intervals challenge muscular endurance, particularly in the legs, core, and pushing muscles.
• Speed (7/10): Quick transitions and fast cycling of movements required to complete prescribed work within each minute. Recovery time depends on execution speed.
• Power (5/10): Rowing sprints require power output for calories, while burpees involve explosive elements in the stand-up and jump portions.
• Flexibility (4/10): Burpees require moderate hip and shoulder mobility. Rowing demands basic posterior chain flexibility for efficient stroke mechanics.
• Strength (2/10): Primarily bodyweight movements with rowing resistance, but not testing maximal strength. Focus is on repeated submaximal efforts.

Movements

• Row
• Burpee

Scaling Options

Row: Reduce calories to 15/10 or 12/8 based on capacity. Can substitute 200m run or 15/10 cal bike. Burpees: Scale to 10-12 reps. Step-back burpees for those with mobility issues or fatigue. Can remove push-up portion if needed. Time Domain: Consider reducing to 12-16 minutes for beginners. Rest can be extended to 90 seconds between rounds if needed.

Scaling Explanation

Scale if unable to complete row in :45 or burpees in :45 consistently. Key indicator is losing more than 20 seconds rest between rounds. Athletes should maintain power output - if row calories drop more than 20% or burpees take longer than :50, reduce volume. Priority is maintaining intensity and good movement patterns over completing prescribed reps. Target is finishing each round with 10-20 seconds recovery.

Intended Stimulus

Moderate-intensity interval workout targeting both phosphagen and glycolytic energy systems. Each minute alternates between high-power rowing output and explosive full-body movements. Primary challenge is maintaining consistent power output while managing fatigue across 20 minutes. Workout tests both anaerobic capacity and aerobic recovery.

Coach Insight

Row: Push for aggressive pace first 10-12 strokes, then settle into sustainable rhythm. Aim to finish row by :40-:45 to allow recovery. Focus on powerful leg drive and maintain good posture. Burpees: Break into 2-3 sets (6-5-4 or 8-7) early to maintain consistent pace. Stand tall between reps, don't rush transitions. Common mistake is starting too fast - pace first 5 rounds to ensure consistency in final rounds. Target 15-20 seconds rest each minute.

Benchmark Notes

This is a 20-minute EMOM alternating between rowing calories and burpees. Analysis: 1. Row Intervals (10 rounds): - 18/13 cal target per minute - Elite: 45-55 sec per interval (including transition) - Intermediate: 50-58 sec - Beginner: May not complete calories 2. Burpee Intervals (10 rounds): - 15 burpees per minute - Fresh pace: 3-4 sec per burpee - Elite: 45-50 sec per round - Intermediate: 50-55 sec - Beginner: May not complete reps Fatigue Pattern: - Rounds 1-5: Base pace - Rounds 6-10: +10-15% slowdown - Row/Burpee interference compounds fatigue Completion indicates: L10 (Elite): Complete all intervals with 10-15 sec rest L5 (Intermediate): Complete with minimal rest (0-5 sec) L1 (Beginner): Miss multiple intervals Closest benchmark comparison is Fight Gone Bad due to the interval structure and mixed modalities. Scaled proportionally for shorter duration (20 min vs 17 min). Final Targets: Male: L10: 10:00 | L5: 14:00 | L1: 20:00 Female: L10: 11:00 | L5: 15:00 | L1: 20:00

Modality Profile

Row is monostructural (M), Burpee is gymnastics (G). With two movements split across two modalities, this results in a 50/50 split between G and M.