Workout Description
For Time
50 Burpees
100 Air Squats
50 Burpees
Why This Workout Is Hard
While burpees and air squats are basic movements, the volume and sequencing create significant challenge. The second set of 50 burpees after 100 air squats is particularly brutal due to accumulated leg fatigue. The continuous nature with no built-in rest periods and estimated 15-20 minute time domain makes this a lung-burning test of mental fortitude. Most athletes will need to break sets frequently.
Benchmark Times for Stimulus Travel WOD 1
- Elite: <6:00
- Advanced: 7:00-8:00
- Intermediate: 9:00-10:00
- Beginner: >18:00
Training Focus
This workout develops the following fitness attributes:
- Stamina (9/10): 200 total reps of compound movements test muscular endurance extensively, particularly in the legs, core, and pushing muscles.
- Endurance (8/10): High-volume burpees and air squats create significant cardiovascular demand over an extended period, requiring sustained aerobic capacity and mental fortitude.
- Speed (7/10): Fast transitions and cycle rates are crucial for a good time, especially maintaining pace through high-rep sets.
- Flexibility (4/10): Burpees demand moderate hip, ankle, and shoulder mobility, while air squats require decent hip and ankle range of motion.
- Power (3/10): Some explosive element in burpee push-ups and stands, but fatigue will likely reduce power output significantly.
- Strength (2/10): While burpees and air squats require bodyweight strength, the workout doesn't test maximal force production.
Scaling Options
Level 1: Half volume (25-50-25). Level 2: Step-out burpees instead of jumping. Level 3: Reduce squat depth to above parallel or use box for depth. Level 4: Add 2-minute rest between movements. For newer athletes, consider 20-40-20 rep scheme with step-out burpees. Elite athletes can add weight vest (14/20lb) or target sub-8 minutes.
Scaling Explanation
Scale if you cannot perform 15+ unbroken burpees when fresh or if air squats cause knee pain. Maintaining intensity is key - rest periods should be brief (under 20 seconds) but movement should be crisp. Target time is 8-15 minutes. Scale volume or movement complexity if you'll exceed 15 minutes. Form deterioration on squats or burpees indicates need for scaling.
Intended Stimulus
Moderate-length glycolytic workout targeting the 8-15 minute time domain. Primary focus is on aerobic capacity and mental toughness. The high-volume bodyweight movements create significant muscle fatigue while testing cardiovascular endurance. Burpee bookends create a psychological challenge.
Coach Insight
Break up the burpees early - consider sets of 10 with short rests. Air squats should be broken into sets of 25 or less to prevent burning out. First set of burpees will feel easier than last set - don't go unbroken early. Keep transitions under 10 seconds. Common faults include rushing first burpee set, not standing fully on squats, and taking too long between movements. Aim for consistent work intervals rather than sprinting and bonking.
Benchmark Notes
This workout is similar to Angie in structure but with burpees instead of pull-ups/push-ups and fewer air squats. Using Angie (L10: 15-18min, L5: 22-25min, L1: 33-40min) as a base reference.
Breakdown:
First 50 burpees:
- Fresh state: 3.5s/rep × 50 = 175s
- Likely broken into sets of 10-15
- Add 20% for breaks = 210s
100 air squats:
- 1.2s/rep × 100 = 120s
- Fatigue factor 1.2x from burpees = 144s
- Break into sets of 25, add 15% = 166s
Final 50 burpees:
- Base 3.5s/rep × 50 = 175s
- Heavy fatigue factor 1.4x = 245s
- Larger breaks, add 25% = 306s
Total for elite (L10): ~680s base + transitions
Adjusting down slightly from Angie due to:
- No pull-ups (most time-consuming element)
- 100 fewer reps total
- More metabolic/less skill-dependent
Final targets:
L10: 6:00 (360s)
L5: 10:00 (600s)
L1: 18:00 (1080s)
Modality Profile
Both Air Squat and Burpee are bodyweight/gymnastics movements. With 2 gymnastics movements and no monostructural or weightlifting movements, this workout is 100% gymnastics.
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