Jan 15

742842_barbell_1This challenge is a 20 minute workout that uses 8 exercises that will work the whole body. All you need for this workout is a barbell with enough weight to challenge you for 10 reps on the clean and press and kettlebells that will test you for 20 reps of swings and high pulls. The other 5 exercises use only your bodyweight so you don’t need much kit, space or time to give this challenge a crack. The aim is simple, complete as many sets of the below 8 exercise circuit as you can within the 20 minute time limit. You can rest at any point but the clock never stops.

8 EXERCISE CIRCUIT:

Barbell clean and press x10

Bodyweight squats x20

Press ups x10

Jumping jacks x20

Kettlebell swings x20

Alternating bodyweight lunges x20

Kettlebell high pulls x20

Burpees x10

 

Scoring:

If after 20 minutes you have completed 5 sets then you score is 5, if you have done 5 sets and are on the press ups of the 6th set then your score is 5.3.

Aims:

First target should be reach 4 full sets which gives you 5 minutes to complete each set. Anything over 5 sets is very good and if you can get above 6 then that is excellent and maybe also time to increase the weight of your clean and press and kettlebell exercises.

Circuit challenge:

I also did this challenge with my Saturday morning circuit class. Instead of using kettlebells I did the swings with a weight plate with most of the women using 5kg and men 10kg, for the high pulls we used the same barbell as for the clean and press.


20 comments so far...

  • richb Said on January 15th, 2011 at 8:48 pm:

    Phil and Nick were the first to try this challenge. They both found it very tough but scored well with Phil completing 4.2 sets and Nick 5 sets dead. This was down to a very quick last 10 burpees to finish the set in the nick of time!

  • richb Said on January 15th, 2011 at 8:50 pm:

    First female to do the challenge was Julie who set a very impressive score of 5 sets. A very good effort indeed. Bonus marks for doing full press ups throughout.

  • richb Said on January 15th, 2011 at 8:52 pm:

    Helen had a crack at this and also scored 4.2. This challenge is proving tough but enjoyable!! Good score.

  • richb Said on January 15th, 2011 at 8:54 pm:

    Anna and Danni did this challenge together and really pushed each other to fanastic scores of 6.5 and 6.2. Brillent!

  • richb Said on January 15th, 2011 at 8:55 pm:

    Anna did 4.3 on this challenge today. Another good session and score.

  • richb Said on January 15th, 2011 at 8:56 pm:

    Nel scored a very good 4.5 today. Target is 5 by the end of feb! Good stuff.

  • richb Said on January 17th, 2011 at 8:56 pm:

    I had to give this a go myself today. Done in by the end of it but very pleases with a 7.2.

  • richb Said on January 21st, 2011 at 11:48 am:

    Rob did this the other night and scored a very good 5.6. He was also the first of my clients to use a 16kg kettlebell throughout. Very well done.

  • richb Said on January 28th, 2011 at 11:53 am:

    This challenge is proving very popular with many clients doing it themselfs at their local gyms and getting friends to try it as well. Have had scores of between 5-6 sets done so far. Anna even did this again by herself and improved her score to 6.6. Excellent work and keep it up everyone.

  • richb Said on February 3rd, 2011 at 9:58 pm:

    Craig did this challenge again today and improved his score from 3.7 to a very good 4.7. He was only a few reps away from hitting 4.8. Excellent improvement and over 5 next time!

  • richb Said on February 24th, 2011 at 8:25 pm:

    Helen redid this challenge today and improved on her score by nearly 1 full set scoring a very impressive 5.1. Excellent.

  • richb Said on April 13th, 2011 at 8:28 pm:

    Julie did this challenge again tonight and improved her score by over 1 full set. She is now up to 6.1 which is a great effort.

  • richb Said on June 23rd, 2011 at 8:58 pm:

    Craig did this for the 3rd time this evening. We wanted 5 sets and we got 5 sets with about 2 seconds to spare! Well done.

  • richb Said on June 24th, 2011 at 12:45 pm:

    Herbie did this today for her first time and scored an excellent 6 sets. Like Craig she had seconds to spare as she finished her burpees! Excellent.

  • richb Said on June 27th, 2011 at 9:27 pm:

    Julie D had a go at this tonight. It was her first attempt and she found it tough going especially in the heat! She still managed a very good 3.1 sets. More to come in a few months im sure.

  • richb Said on June 30th, 2011 at 10:10 pm:

    Abi did this the other morning and scored a very good 5.1 on her first attempt at this challenge. She was motivated by some office rivalry and was after Craigs score of 5 sets. This could get interesting!

  • richb Said on July 4th, 2011 at 8:50 pm:

    Glenn did this on sat morning, his first ever challenge with me. He scored a very good 4.3 which was excellent especially since it was his 3rd session in a row! A tough week of training, well done.

  • richb Said on July 8th, 2011 at 11:28 am:

    Stacey had her first go at this challenge today. She scored an excellent 6.4 and was only a few reps short of getting to 6.5. Even more impressive since it was her 3rd session in a row. Top spot could be next!

  • richb Said on July 10th, 2011 at 5:25 pm:

    Nel did this again and improved from 4.5 to a very good 4.8. Not a million miles off from getting to the 5 mark and I know we will crack it next time. Good stuff.

  • richb Said on July 20th, 2011 at 10:19 pm:

    Nick and Phil both did this again tonight and both improved. Nick went from 5 to 5.5 and Phil went from 4.2 to 4.6. Excellent effort from both guys.

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