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.
Pistol Squat Progressions –
One set of:
Kettlebell Ankle Pulse x 20 reps (each leg)
Followed by. . .
Every minute, on the minute, for 2 minutes (2 sets) of:
Alternating Pistol Squat x 6-8 reps (3-4 reps each leg)
Followed by. . .
Every minute, on the minute, for 2 minutes (2 sets) of:
Candle Roll to Pistol Squat x 8 reps (alternate legs)
Attempt to find balance on each foot before standing.
Followed by. . .
Every minute, on the minute, for 2 minutes (2 sets) of:
Alternating Weighted Pistol Squat Negative x 8 reps @ 41A0
*Challenge yourself with the weight, but keep the weight light enough that you can maintain a consistent speed throughout your descent, especially from parallel and below to the bottom of the squat.
B.
Pull-Up Progressions –
Every 20 seconds, for 2 minutes (6 sets) of:
Chin Hang Hold x 10 seconds
Followed by. . .
Every 30 seconds, for 3 minutes (6 sets) of:
Kipping or Butterfly Pull-Up x 4-5 reps
Followed by. . .
Every 20 seconds, for 60 seconds (3 sets) of:
Strict Pull-Up x 1-3 reps
*Start and finish at a full, relaxed hang each rep.
Followed by. . .
One set of:
Chest-To-Bar Pull-Up Negatives x 6 reps @ 40A2
Additional information and tutorials –
Lat Insertion Pull-Up Tutorial
Kipping Pull-Up Tutorial
Butterfly 4 Step
The Lazy L Bar Mount
Starting from a Dead Hang
C.
L-Sit Progressions –
Every 30 seconds, for 6 minutes (3 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Hollow Body Sit-Up to L-Sit on Kettlebells x 4 reps
Interval 2 – Side Plank with Hip Circles x 6 reps (right side)
Interval 3 – Side Plank with Hip Circles x 6 reps (left side)
*Keep hips and shoulders stacked, and the direction you should move your hips should go: downward, forward, upward, backward. Concentration should be on the forward and upward parts of the movement to get maximum range of motion.
Interval 4 – Ceiling-Reaching Straight Body Crunches x 6 reps @ 1011
Session Two
A.
Handstand Walk Progressions –
One set of:
Kick to Handstand on Wall (with hands turned out) x 10 reps
Followed by. . .
Option 1 –
Every 30 seconds, for 2 minutes (2 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Wall-Facing Handstand Marching x 12-14 reps
Interval 2 – Handstand Walk (or attempt) x 1-3 meters
– – – – – – – –
Option 2 –
Every 30 seconds, for 2 minutes (4 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Back-To-Wall Handstand Marching x 8-10 reps
Interval 2 – Handstand Walk x 3 meters
– – – – – – – –
Followed by. . .
Every minute, on the minute, for 6 minutes (3 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Handstand Walk x 40 seconds (max distance)
*Accumulate distance as necessary.
Interval 2 – Freestanding Handstand Marching x 20-30 reps
Followed by. . .
Every 20 seconds, for 60 seconds (3 sets) of:
Wall-Facing Handstand Walk Away Practice x 10 seconds
Additional information and tutorials –
Breaking Down the Handstand Walk
Proper Hand Positioning for Handstand Work
Gas Pedal/Brake Pedal for the Ramp
Rocking Vs. Waddling for Handstand Walk and Marching
B.
Push-Up Progressions –
Every minute, on the minute, for 4 minutes (2 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Hand Plank Lateral Walks x 5 meters (right)
Interval 2 – Hand Plank Lateral Walks x 5 meters (left)
*Be sure to keep the hips low on this movement. The intention is to create tension in the lower abdominals.
Followed by. . .
Every 30 seconds, for 2 minutes (4 sets) of:
Push-Up to 8″ Deficit x 4-6 reps
Followed by. . .
Every 30 seconds, for 3 minutes (3 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Low Push-Up Pulses x 10 reps
Interval 2 – Push-Up Negatives x 3 reps @ 50A1
Followed by. . .
For 60 seconds, perform one set of:
Incline Push-Ups on 30″ Box x max reps
Session Three
A.
Rope Climb Progressions –
Every 15 seconds, for 90 seconds (6 sets) of:
Rope Climb Mount x 1 rep
Rest 30 seconds, then. . .
Every minute, on the minute, for 3 minutes (3 sets) of:
Rope Climb x 1-2 reps (with legs)
Followed by. . .
Every 30 seconds, for 2 minutes (4 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Rope Pull-Up Taps x 2-5 reps (right arm)
Interval 2 – Rope Pull-Up Taps x 2-5 reps (left arm)
*Feet should remain off the floor until the end of the each set.
Additional information and tutorials –
Rope Foot Hold Technique
B.
Bar Muscle-Up Progressions –
This session has two different options, both with their own program.
______________________________________
Program 1 (If your bar muscle-up is inconsistent and/or max effort is 1 rep) –
Spend 60 seconds working on the progressions for the Bad Cheerleader Jump
Followed by. . .
Every 30 seconds, for 5 minutes (5 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Box Jump to Front Support on Bar x 6 reps
Interval 2 – Arch Under Bar Jump to Support x 6 reps
*These are just warm-ups, so keep the bar low enough that you don’t have to struggle to finish the reps.
Followed by. . .
Every 20 seconds, for 2 minutes (6 sets) of:
Bar Muscle-Up x 1 rep
Followed by. . .
Every 30 seconds, for 4 minutes (4 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Knees-Up Options x 3 reps
*Choose the most difficult option you can perform successfully then regress from there if necessary.
Interval 2 – Deep Bar Dips x 5-6 reps
Followed by. . .
With a 60 second time cap, perform:
Kipping Toes-To-Bar x max reps
Additional information and tutorials –
Bad Cheerleader Jump to Bar
Target Reach Swing Tutorial
Breaking Down the Bar Muscle-Up
Connecting Bar Muscle-Ups – The Drop
Bar Muscle-Up Tips – Knees Up!
Slack is Bad
Starting from a Dead Hang
_____________________________________
Program 2 (If your Bar Muscle-Up is fairly consistent and can perform 2-5 reps unbroken regularly) –
Every 30 seconds, for 2 minutes (4 sets) of complex:
Air Chair Swing x 1 + Bar Muscle-Up x 1 rep
Followed by. . .
Every 30 seconds, for 3 minutes (6 sets), complete:
Target Reach Swing x 1 rep
Air Chair Swing x 1 rep
Bar Muscle-Up x 1 rep
Rest 60 seconds, then. . .
Every minute, on the minute, for 4 minutes (4 sets) of:
Bar Muscle-Up x 1-4 reps
Followed by. . .
Every 30 seconds, for 2 minutes (2 sets) of:
Interval 1 – V-Up x 10 reps
Interval 2 – Tuck-Up x 10 reps
Followed by. . .
With a 60 second time cap, perform:
Kipping Toes-To-Bar x max reps
Additional information and tutorials –
Bad Cheerleader Jump to Bar
Target Reach Swing Tutorial
Breaking Down the Bar Muscle-Up
Connecting Bar Muscle-Ups – The Drop
Bar Muscle-Up Tips – Knees Up!
Slack is Bad
Starting from a Dead Hang
____________________________________________
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
Banded-Assisted Cross-Pull Scap Retraction