October 16-22, 2017 – Invictus Gymnastics Level One

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)

Med Ball Thoracic 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

Wrist Stretches

Twisted Cross

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

Couch Stretch

Session One
A.
Option One –
Every 10 seconds, for 2 minutes (6 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Front Weighted Pistol Squat Balance (with or without use of a rig post) x 10 seconds (right leg)
Interval 2 – Front Weighted Pistol Squat Balance (with or without use of a rig post) x 10 seconds (left leg)

Option Two –
Every 10 seconds, for 2 minutes ( 6 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Pistol Squat Balance x 10 seconds (right leg)
Interval 2 – Pistol Squat Balance x 10 seconds (left leg)
*If your mechanics start breaking down you may opt to hold your toe on the extended leg with the hand on the same side)

Followed by. . .

For 2 minutes, perform one set of:
Alternating Pistol Squat x max effort
*This is your opportunity to potentially complete your first pistol squat on each leg.
**After 2 minutes, if you did not complete a full Pistol Squat on each leg, move on to Option 1 (below). If you do in fact complete at least one full Pistol Squat on each leg, spend this time learning where in your squat your biggest weakness is, then move on to Option 2 (below)

Option 1 –
Every 15 seconds, for 4 minutes (8 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Front-Weighted Pistol Squat Negative x 1 rep @ 61A0 (right leg)
Interval 2 – Front-Weighted Pistol Squat Negative x 1 rep @ 61A0 (left leg)
*Make sure to keep your straight leg and weighted arms out in front of you as far as you can reach so your chin is out past your knee and toes.

Option 2 –
Every 15 seconds, for 4 minutes (8 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Pistol Squat x 1 rep (right leg)
Interval 2 – Pistol Squat x 1 rep (left leg)
*If you fail a rep on either leg, substitute the full Pistol Squat with Pistol Squat Negative (for the failed leg[s]) @ 51A1

B.
Option One –
Every 30 seconds, for 3 minutes (3 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Pull-Up Negative x 4 reps @ 40A1
Interval 2 – Lat Insertion Pull-Up x 8 reps @ 1010
*Keep your elbows pulling to the sides and away from your body (laterally).

Option Two –
Every 30 seconds, for 3 minutes (3 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Pull-Up Scaled with Zero Assistance Negative x 4 reps @ 2020
Interval 2 – Lat Insertion Pull-Up x 8 reps @ 1010

Followed by. . .

Every minute, on the minute, for 4 minutes (2 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Jumping Pull-Ups x 20 reps
Interval 2 – Chest-To-Bar Diagonal Hold x 30 seconds

C.
Every minute, on the minute, for 4 minutes (2 sets) of:
Interval 1 – L-Sit Lifts on Box x 20 reps
Interval 2 – Seated Piked Single Leg Lifts x 40 reps (20 reps each leg)

Followed by. . .

For 60 seconds, perform one set of:
Flutter Kicks on Box x max reps
*High or low legs are acceptable, but challenge yourself.

Session Two
A.
Every 30 seconds, for 3 minutes (3 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Handstand Marching on Box x 20 reps
Interval 2 – Rocking Box Bridge x 3 reps

Followed by. . .

Option 1 –
One set of:
Kick to Handstand on Wall Scaled x 2 minutes (rest as needed)

Option 2 –
One set of:
Kick-Up to Handstand on Wall practice x 2 minutes (rest as needed)

Option 3 –
One set of:
Wall-Facing Handstand Marching x 2 minutes (rest as needed)

Followed by. . .

Option 1 –
Every 30 seconds, for 4 minutes (4 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Wall-Facing Handstand Hold x 20 seconds
Interval 2 – Reverse Snow Angel x 20 seconds

Option 2 –
Every 30 seconds, for 4 minutes (4 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Side-Pressing Handstand Hold x max effort (or 20 seconds)
Interval 2 – Reverse Snow Angel x 20 seconds

Followed by. . .

Every 30 seconds, for 6 minutes (3 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Hand Plank Shoulder Taps x 20 reps
Interval 2 – Straight Body Ceiling-Reaching Crunches x 20 reps
Interval 3 – Wall Climb x 2 reps
Interval 4 – Straight Leg Bottom Balance x 20 seconds

B.
Every 10 seconds, for 2 minutes (12 sets) of complex:
Hand Plank x 5 seconds + Push-Up Negative (2 second descent) x 1 rep

Followed by. . .

Every 20 seconds, for 2 minutes (6 sets) of:
Hand Plank Arch Hollows x 10 seconds

Followed by. . .

For 60 seconds, perform one set of:
Incline Push-Up on 30″ Box x max reps

Session Three
A.
If you are not familiar with the Rope Foot Hold technique, please watch this VIDEO.

One set of:
Spend 2 minutes accumulating as much time on the rope with feet off the ground.

Folowed by. . .

Option 1 –
Every 30 seconds, for 4 minutes (4 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Rope Hang Hold x 15 seconds
Interval 2 – Rope Pull-Ups from Box x 6 reps

Option 2 –
Every 30 seconds, for 4 minutes (4 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Rope Pinch to Stand x 4 reps
Interval 2 – Rope Pull-Ups from Floor x 6 reps

Followed by. . .

Option 1 –
Every 30 seconds, for 4 minutes (4 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Rope Hang Knees-To-Armpits x 3-5 reps
Interval 2 – Rope Pull-Ups from Box x 6 reps

Option 2 –
Every 30 seconds, for 4 minutes (4 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Rope Climb Mount x 2-3 reps
Interval 2 – Rope Pull-Ups from Floor x 6 reps

B.
Every 30 seconds, for 3 minutes (3 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Box Jump-Up on Bar x 4-6 reps
Interval 2 – Kipping Front Lever x 8 reps

Followed by. . .

Every 30 seconds, for 3 minutes (3 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Banded Bar Muscle-Up Stomps x 5 reps
Interval 2 – Supine Overhead Plate Lift (15#/25#) x 8 reps

Followed by. . .

Every 30 seconds, for 3 minutes (3 sets) of:
Interval 1 – Stem Riser x 3-5 reps
Interval 2 – Deep Bar Dips x 8 reps (Use Stem Riser Bar)

Followed by. . .

Option 1 –
For 60 seconds, perform one set of:
Bouncing Knees-To-Chest x max reps

Option 2 –
Spend 60 seconds attempting your first Bar Muscle-Up!