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 it’s 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
Session One
A.
For 2 minutes, complete one set of:
Kettlebell Ankle Pulses x 20 reps (each leg)
Followed by. . .
Option 1 –
Every 30 seconds, for 2 minutes (2 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Front-Weighted Pistol Squat Balance x 15 seconds (right leg)
Interval 2 – Front-Weighted Pistol Squat Balance x 15 seconds (left leg)
*Use the rig if necessary.
Option 2 –
Every 30 seconds, for 2 minutes (2 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Pistol Squat Balance x 20 seconds (right leg)
Interval 2 – Pistol Squat Balance x 20 seconds (left leg)
Followed by. . .
Option 1 –
Every 15 seconds, for 4 minutes (8 sets) of complex:
Interval 1 – Front-Weighted Pistol Squat Negative (4 second descent) + Pistol Balance Leg Lifts x 5 reps (right leg)
Interval 2 – Front-Weighted Pistol Squat Negative (4 second descent) + Pistol Balance Leg Lifts x 5 reps (left leg)
*If getting below parallel is difficult for you, stand close enough to a rig post that you can barely reach it with the dumbbells. Be sure to get your head past you knee and chest to your quad.
Option 2 –
Every 15 seconds, for 4 minutes (8 sets) of complex:
Interval 1 – Pistol Squat Negative (4 second descent) + Pistol Balance Leg Lifts x 5 reps (right leg)
Interval 2 – Pistol Squat Negative (4 second descent) + Pistol Balance Leg Lifts x 5 reps (left leg)
Followed by. . .
For 2 minutes, perform one set of:
Alternating Front-Weighted Pistol Half Squat x 20 reps (10 reps each leg)
*Go as low as you can without falling, failing, or breaking parallel.
B.
Option 1 –
Every 30 seconds, for 6 minutes (4 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Chin Hang Toe Taps x 15 seconds
Interval 2 – Chest-To-Bar Pull-Up Negatives x 4 reps @ 30A0
Interval 3 – Lat Insertion Pull-Ups x 15 reps
Option 2 –
Every 30 seconds, for 6 minutes (4 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Chin Hang Hold
x 15 seconds
Interval 2 – Chest-To-Bar Pull-Up Negatives x 5 reps @ 30A0
Interval 3 – Lat Insertion Pull-Ups x 15 reps
C.
Ever minute, on the minute, for 4 minutes (2 sets) of:
Interval 1 – L-Hang Lifts from Bar x 10 reps @ 2020
Interval 2 – Seated Piked Double Leg Lift x 15 reps
Session Two
A.
Option 1 –
Every minute, on the minute, for 4 minutes (2 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Kick to Handstand on Wall Scaled x 10 reps
Interval 2 – Donkey Kicks x 15 reps
Option 2 –
Every minute, on the minute, for 4 minutes (2 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Kick to Handstand on Wall with Hands Turned Out x 10 reps
Interval 2 – Donkey Kicks x 15 reps
Followed by. . .
For 60 seconds, perform one set of:
Handstand Marching with Feet on Box x max reps
Rest 60 seconds, then. . .
Option 1 –
Every minute, on the minute, for 4 minutes (2 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Single Leg Thigh Taps on Box x 30 reps
Interval 2 – Hand Plank to Press Lean x 5 reps (slow and controlled)
Option 2 –
Every minute, on the minute, for 4 minutes (2 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Single Leg Thigh Taps x 12-16 reps
Interval 2 – Hand Plank to Press Lean x 5 reps (slow and controlled)
Followed by. . .
Option 1 –
Spend 2 minutes working on proper hand and foot placement for a Kick to Handstand.
Option 2 –
Spend 2 minutes working on Handstand Marching x max reps.
Rest 30 seconds, then. . .
For 90 seconds, perform one set of:
Hand Plank Shoulder Taps x max reps
B.
Every minute, on the minute, for 6 minutes (3 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Incline Push-Ups on 30″ Box x 30 reps
Interval 2 – Reverse Snow Angels x 30 reps (FAST)
Session Three
A.
If you are not familiar with the Rope Foot Hold technique, please watch this VIDEO.
Every 15 seconds, for 2 minutes (8 sets) of:
Rope Climb Mount x 1 rep
Rest 60-90 seconds, then. . .
Spend 3 minutes working on Rope Climb x max effort
Followed by. . .
Every 30 seconds, for 6 minutes (4 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Towel Hang x 10 seconds
Interval 2 – Rope Pull-Ups from Box or Floor x 6-8 reps
Interval 3 – Rope Hang Hold x 15 seconds
Interval 4 – Hanging Knees-To-Armpits on Bar x 6-8 reps
B.
Every minute, on the minute, for 6 minutes (2 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Banded Bar Muscle-Up Stomps x 15 reps
Interval 2 – Supine Banded Lat Pull-Down x 15 reps
Interval 3 – Supine Overhead Plate Lift (15#/25#) x 15 reps
Followed by. . .
For 2 minutes, perform one set of:
Box Jump-Up to Front Support x max reps
*Choose a box and bar that allows you to jump up without without missing reps.
Leave a note here to help you keep track of your progress!