Please Note: Mobility and General Information for how to best use this programming can be found below Session Three at the bottom of this page.
For full tutorials, click the movement link at the bottom of each section (if applicable).
Session One
A.
Static Handstand Hold Progressions –
Followed by. . .
Every minute, on the minute, for 2 minutes (2 sets) of complex:
Wall-Facing Handstand Push-Up x 2-4 reps + Nose-To-Wall Handstand Hold x 20 seconds
*You will need to walk your hands closer to the wall after the handstand push-ups to get more vertical against the wall.
Followed by. . .
Every 30 seconds, for 3 minutes (2 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Frog Press Pulses x 3-5 reps
Interval 2 – Donkey Kick (to full handstand) x 3 reps
*These should be slow and controlled, landing on the floor between reps as softly and quietly as possible.
Interval 3 – Freestanding Static Handstand Hold x 15 seconds
Followed by. . .
One set of:
Finger Presses x 30 reps @ 2020
Additional information and tutorials –
Fundamentals of the Kick to Handstand
Proper Hand Placement for Handstand Work
Learning How to Cartwheel from a Handstand
The Finger Bone is Connected to the Hip Bone
The 50 Percent Rule
Don’t Squeeze in Your Handstand
B.
Toes-To-Bar Progressions –
Every 30 seconds, for 3 minutes (2 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Banded Reverse V-Ups x 8-10 reps
Interval 2 – Kipping Toes-To-Bar x 6-10 reps
Interval 3 – Straight Body Ceiling Reaching Crunches x 15 reps
Followed by. . .
Every minute, on the minute, for 4 minutes (2 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Tuck-Up to V-Up Complex x 8 reps
Interval 2 – Elbow Jacks x 30 reps
*Find time at the end of your session to stretch your hip flexors. Both these movements will cause hip flexor tightness.
Followed by. . .
Every 30 seconds, for 60 seconds (2 sets) of:
Tucked Bar Front Lever x max hold time (unbroken)
*Keep the arms straight and extended if possible.
Additional information and tutorials –
The Value of the Half Toes-To-Bar
Starting from a Dead Hang On Bar
Three Tips for Improving your T2B Sets
Knee Bend and Separation is Okay!
Toes-To-Bar Mount
C.
Chest-To-Bar Pull-Up Progressions –
Every 5 seconds, for 60 seconds (6 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Narrow Grip Chest-To-Bar Pull-Ups x 1 rep
Interval 2 – Kipping Chest-To-Bar Pull-Up x 1 rep
Followed by. . .
Every 30 seconds, for 3 minutes (3 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Half Pull-Up x 6-8 reps (top of head level with bar height)
Interval 2 – Butterfly Chest-To-Bar Pull-Ups x max reps (unbroken)
Followed by. . .
For 60 seconds, perform one set of:
Lat Insertion Pull-Ups x max reps
Additional information and tutorials –
Lat Insertion Pull-Up Tutorial
How To Butterfly Chest-To-Bar Pull-Up
Adjusting Your Grip Width for Chest-To-Bar Pull-Ups
Starting from a Dead Hang
The Butterfly 4 Step
Session Two
A.
Strict Ring Muscle-Up Progressions –
Strict ring muscle-ups require the use of a false grip. Please watch the video at the end of this section for details on the false grip.
One set of:
Extensor Stretch for False Grip x 30 seconds
Followed by. . .
Every 30 seconds, for 3 minutes (3 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Strict Muscle-Up x 2-3 reps
Interval 2 – Shoulder Stand on Low Rings x 10 seconds
Followed by. . .
Every 30 seconds, for 2 minutes (2 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Muscle-Up Rocking Transitions x 2-4 reps
Interval 2 – Ring Pull-Up Pulses x 4-6 reps
*Attempt to bring the elbows up to parallel with the wrist during each pulse.
Followed by. . .
Every minute, on the minute, for 4 minutes (2 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Ring Pull-Ups (neutral grip) x 8-10 reps
*If you must kip to finish the reps, use upward knee drive to kip rather than a swing.
Interval 2 – Ring Dips with Scaling Option x 20 reps
Followed by. . .
One set of:
Straight Body Crunches x 40 reps
*Curl your upper back to reach the top of your knees with your fingertips, but keep the lower back flat on the floor.
Additional information and tutorials –
Extensor Stretch for the False Grip
Fundamentals of the False Grip for Rings
How to Tape for the False Grip
How to Cheat a Strict Ring Muscle-Up
B.
Kipping Ring Muscle-Up Progressions –
If you are not familiar with the Rising to Rowing Muscle-Up technique, please watch this VIDEO.
Every 15 seconds, for 3 minutes (12 sets) of:
Mounting Ring Muscle-Up x 1 rep
*Play with the mounting swing a little throughout these 12 reps. If you have access to different lengths of ring straps I’d recommend you try different lengths and see how it affects your swing, the kip, and the finishing height of the transition.
Followed by. . .
Every 20 seconds, for 3 minutes (9 sets) of:
Kipping Ring Muscle-Up x 2 reps
*If you are utilizing the rising muscle-up on the first rep, try to exhibit a true rowing muscle-up for your second rep.
Followed by. . .
Every 30 seconds, for 3 minutes (6 sets) of:
Kipping Ring Muscle-Up x 3 reps
*If you are utilizing the rising muscle-up on the first rep, produce a hybrid rising/rowing muscle-Up for your second rep, and a true rowing muscle-up for your third rep.
Additional information and tutorials –
Starting from a Dead Hang on Rings
How to Two-Step Muscle-Up for Long Straps Tutorial
The Value of Ring Swings and Ring Swing Tutorial
The Mounting Ring Muscle-Up Tutorial
Pop Swing Tutorial
The No Zone
The Rising to Rowing Muscle-Up Technique
Kipping Ring Muscle-Ups on Short Straps – A Whiteboard Discussion
Session Three
A.
Handstand Push-Up Progressions –
Every minute, on the minute, for 4 minutes (2 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Wall-Facing Handstand Push-Ups x 3-6 reps
Interval 2 – Strict Handstand Push-Ups to 8″ Deficit x 6-8 reps
Followed by.. . .
Every 30 seconds, for 4 minutes (8 sets) of complex of:
Wall Climb (up) + Wall-Facing Handstand Push-Up x 3 reps + Wall Climb (down)
Rest 60 seconds, then. . .
For 90 seconds, perform one set of:
Strict Handstand Push-Up (singles) x max reps
*As soon as both your feet make contact with the wall you may begin your descent. Once you have completed the rep kick off the wall immediately to prepare for your next rep. Rest as needed.
Followed by. . .
Every minute, on the minute, for 3 minutes (3 sets) of:
Reverse Snow Angels x 30 reps (fast)
Additional information and tutorials –
Handstand Push-Up Negatives and Tempo
Breaking Down the Handstand Push-Up
Kipping Handstand Push-Up Tutorial
B.
Press Handstand Progressions –
Every minute, on the minute, for 6 minutes (3 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Press to Handstand x 30 seconds effort
*Pick an option. Take your time to insure you are pressing off the equipment (or floor) and not jumping. Both feet should leave the surface at the same time.
Interval 2 – Donkey Kicks (to full handstand) x 10 reps
_________________________________________________________________________________________
General Information:
Session Duration:
Each session, for each level, is 20 minutes in duration if all equipment is at hand and the athlete stays on task.
Mixing Levels:
Each section (part “A”, “B” or “C”) of each session is focused on a particular movement. You may need to read the programming to know which movement that section is focused on. Mixing levels to create a somewhat “personalized” program for each athlete is highly recommended. For example: If section “A” is focused on handstand walks, section “B” is focused on bar muscle-ups, and section “C” if focused on ring dips, an athlete can use section “A” from Level Two, section “B” from Level One, and section “C” from Level Three, all while keeping the day’s session at the standard 20 minutes of gymnastics work.
Options:
When “Options” are listed they are in the order of difficulty from easiest to most difficult. For example:
Option 1 – (Easiest)
Option 2 – (More difficult)
Option 3 – (Most difficult)
Choosing the right level for a particular movement:
Level One is focused on building strength and fundamental movement patterns specific to each movement. This level is focused to help you grow the ability to perform the skill in a safe and comfortable manner. You will occasionally be asked to “test” a skill, though you may experience your first completed movement (such as a Bar Muscle-Up) during your regular training or while playing around at the gym. The Invictus Gymnastics Program is focused on helping give an athlete the tools to do their skills, but it is the athlete’s responsibility to test their skills on their own time.
Level Two is for the athlete who can already perform their movements successfully but lack volume, consistency or technique. Level Two will provide useful strength and technique drills along with information to better your skill knowledge base while making sure you are performing your very best during your WOD or competitions.
Level Three is designed around the advanced competitive athlete, ranging from local competitions to Regional level competitions. The athlete following this level should be able to perform the section’s focal movement in high repetitions and with consistency. Level Three may also add skills into the workout that are not the focal movement to better compliment the athlete’s body, add an appropriate amount of fatigue, and demand an athlete to be able to think clearly while performing complicated movements. Not all of the movements in this level are typical of functional fitness competitions but will better prepare an athlete for the unexpected for competition purposes.
Tempo – What does 30X0 mean?
If you are not familiar with tempo and how to read it in your programming, watch this VIDEO. If you would like more in-depth information regarding tempo and its benefits, read this great ARTICLE written by Head Coach and Founder of Invictus, C.J. Martin.
Getting Coach’s Feedback:
Join the Invictus Gymnastics Facebook Group. You can ask questions, post video, make friends from around the world and support other athlete’s efforts with the program. Video submission or questions posted while tagging the coach will result in direct help.
Mobility:
Stretching on a daily basis is a necessity for gains in mobility and injury prevention. Please note that the stretches listed below are to be utilized as often as possible even though they aren’t necessarily a part of your daily programming. Additionally, a low-impact and light warm-up is always recommended before stretching, e.g. Assault Bike, a light jog, Bear Crawls, Wall Ball Shots, etc.
Please take a look at the recommended stretches and try to include them in your daily warm-up if at all possible. The stretches/warm-ups are listed in what we would consider order of importance, yet depending on the skills you are working on for the day and your own personal needs the list may (and should) change.
Banded Scarecrow (Upper Anterior Chain Opener)
Rocking Box Bridges (Thoracic Mobility)
OR
*Overhead Barbell Underarm Stretch + Wall Bridge
Straddle and Pike Stretch (Adductor and Hamstring Mobility)
Band-Assisted Lat and Hip Flexor Stretch
Single Arm Hang from Bar (Lat and Pec Stretch)
Over the Shoulder Barbell Stretch
Calf and Hamstring Combo Stretch