Tag: Lunges

  • June 7 – A 1h 43m Hyrox Strength Hybrid Workout

    June 7 – A 1h 43m Hyrox Strength Hybrid Workout

    Today, Saturday, June 7th, 2025, was the day to tackle a monster workout I had planned. While not a direct Hyrox simulation due to the longer, programmed rest periods, this session was designed as a long, grueling, preparatory workout. The goal was to test the physical and mental endurance required to not just complete, but compete in, a Hyrox race, by working for a duration that exceeds the race itself. The structure involved multiple distinct blocks of work, culminating in a brutal “For Time” finisher designed to challenge me when already deeply fatigued.

    A Quick Note on Volume & Intensity

    This workout is exceptionally high in volume and designed as a peak training session. It is not intended as a standard daily workout. Please do not attempt this without significant training experience. Always listen to your body, prioritize good form, ensure adequate recovery, and scale workouts appropriately to your current fitness level and goals. Consistent, smart training is the key to long-term success!

    This Hyrox Workout Blueprint: Strength Hybrid

    This session was broken into distinct blocks, each separated by a 2:00 rest period, leading into a continuous “For Time” finisher. I used the Roxfit app to program this workout on my Garmin Fenix 7 ahead of time, which is a great way to track complex, multi-part sessions like this. It allows me to run the workout on my watch and simply hit the lap button each time I finish a movement to seamlessly transition to the next, while accurately logging my times.

    The Workout:

    • Block 1 (3 Rounds):
      • 20 Barbell Back Squats @ 135 lbs
      • 500m Run
      (2:00 Rest after each round)
    • Block 2:
      • 1000m SkiErg
      (2:00 Rest after)
    • Block 3 (3 Rounds):
      • 40 Sandbag Lunges @ 50 lbs
      • 500m Row
      (2:00 Rest after each round)
    • Block 4:
      • 2km Echo Bike
      (2:00 Rest after)
    • Block 5 (3 Rounds):
      • 15 Dual DB Deadlift Jumps @ 50 lbs
      • 1km BikeERG
      (2:00 Rest after each round)
    • Block 6:
      • 1km Run
      (2:00 Rest after)
    • Block 7 (For Time Finisher):
      • 200m Farmers Carry @ ORG (Orange Kettlebells – 61.6 lbs per hand)
      • 200m Walking Lunges
      • 100 Wall Balls @ 20 lbs
      • 50 Burpee Broad Jumps
      • 200m Run
      • 200m Farmers Carry @ ORG (Orange Kettlebells – 61.6 lbs per hand)

    Movement Breakdown & Rationale:

    Let’s break down the purpose of these blocks in a Hyrox context:

    Barbell Back Squat & Run: Builds foundational leg strength and endurance and immediately tests your ability to run with pre-fatigued legs.

    SkiErg: A full-body power and endurance test, a key station in Hyrox that taxes the entire system.

    Sandbag Lunges & Row: Unilateral leg work with an awkward object (the sandbag) is highly functional. Pairing it with the rower adds another full-body cardio stimulus.

    Echo Bike: A notoriously difficult machine that builds serious power and grit. A pure test of your “engine.”

    Dual DB Deadlift Jumps & BikeERG: Develops explosive hip power and posterior chain endurance, paired with a more sustainable cardio effort on the BikeERG.

    The Finisher (Block 7): This is a classic Hyrox-style chipper designed to be completed when you are already exhausted. It combines almost all the key elements: a heavy carry to tax the grip and core, high-volume leg work with lunges and wall balls, a full-body power endurance test with burpee broad jumps, and more running and carrying under extreme fatigue.

    My Experience & Key Takeaways: The Gauntlet Completed!

    This workout was every bit as challenging as it looked on paper. The total time from start to finish was 1 hour, 43 minutes, and 26 seconds. This was a true test of pacing and just refusing to quit.

    The first six blocks were about managing effort to save something for the finisher. The final “For Time” block, which started after the 1km run, was where the real test began. I managed to complete the first 200m Farmer’s Carry with the 61.6 lb kettlebells unbroken for the first 150m before having to take a quick break, which was a good start. The 200m of walking lunges clocked in at 214 total lunges, a huge volume that really taxed the legs. By the time I got to the Wall Balls, I was pretty well thrashed, and my pace on those was definitely slower than I would have liked, but it was about survival at that point.

    Around 30 reps into the 50 Burpee Broad Jumps, my left knee “blew up” pretty bad, becoming quite painful, which forced me to slow down and be much more deliberate with my movement to get through them. The final 200m Farmer’s Carry was a battle of will against a fried grip; the 200m was broken up into short 50m chunks, taking about 7-10 seconds of rest between each. It’s a great data point for where my grip endurance is deep into a workout.

    Scaled Version for This Hyrox Workout:

    This workout is extremely high in volume. To scale it effectively, you could:

    • Option A: Reduce the Full Workout:
      • Perform only 1-2 rounds of the multi-round blocks.
      • Cut all distances (Ski, Row, Bike, Run) in half.
      • In the final “For Time” block, cut all distances and reps in half (e.g., 100m carries, 100m lunges, 50 wall balls, 25 burpee broad jumps).
    • Option B: Perform a Section Only:
      • Choose just one or two of the main blocks (e.g., Block 1 and Block 2) as your workout for the day.
      • Tackle the “For Time” finisher (Block 7) as a standalone workout on another day, but perhaps with reduced reps/distance as well.

    Always use appropriate weights for your fitness level. The goal of a session like this is to sustain effort over time, not to fail due to excessive loading.

    Simulating Race Day for Hyrox Success

    Long preparatory workouts are a key part of building the capacity for the grueling nature of Hyrox. As a certified Hyrox Performance Coach, I can help you build the capacity to handle these efforts and peak for the October Hyrox in Toronto. Let’s build a plan that prepares you for the grind!

    Get in Touch

    What does your longest preparatory workout look like? Share your thoughts on this monster session in the comments!


    Workout Summary (June 7, 2025)

    • Workout Name: HYROX STRENGTH HYBRID WORKOUT
    • TOTAL TIME: 1:43:26
    • Date: Sat, Jun 7, 2025
    • Focus: Full Body Endurance, Hyrox Preparation
    • Calories: 1253 C
    • Avg HR: 153 bpm
    • Max HR: 177 bpm
    • Training Effect: VO2 Max (Aerobic: 4.6, Anaerobic: 2.1)

    Detailed Workout Log

    # TYPE TIME HR
    120 Barbell Back Squat00:57108
    2500m Run02:24117
    3120s Rest02:00147
    420 Barbell Back Squat01:04126
    5500m Run02:27161
    6120s Rest02:00153
    720 Barbell Back Squat01:11140
    8500m Run02:17165
    9120s Rest02:00147
    101km Ski Erg04:17153
    11120s Rest02:00139
    1240 Sandbag Lunges02:50159
    13500m Row Erg01:32164
    14120s Rest02:00154
    1540 Sandbag Lunges02:04156
    16500m Row Erg01:48167
    17120s Rest02:00153
    1840 Sandbag Lunges01:57153
    19500m Row Erg01:50167
    20120s Rest02:00154
    212km Echo Bike03:15163
    22120s Rest02:00161
    2320 DB Deadlift Jumps01:17156
    241km Bike Erg01:52162
    25120s Rest02:00150
    2620 DB Deadlift Jumps01:10152
    271km Bike Erg01:53166
    28120s Rest02:00146
    2920 DB Deadlift Jumps01:10150
    301km Bike Erg01:59161
    31120s Rest02:00147
    321km Run03:59147
    33200m KB Farmers Carry03:35149
    34200m Walking Lunges08:19157
    35100 Wall Balls09:34155
    3650 Burpee Broad Jump10:45156
    37200m Run02:04150
    38200m KB Farmers Carry02:14161
  • May 31 – Juggling Life & Fitness: Tips for Staying on Track

    May 31 – Juggling Life & Fitness: Tips for Staying on Track

    We all know the feeling – life gets incredibly busy, work demands pile up, and suddenly finding time for a dedicated, long workout session feels almost impossible. That was exactly my situation this past Saturday, May 31st, 2025. After being booked solid with work on Thursday and Friday, I was very short on time but knew I needed to get some movement in.

    This experience is a perfect reminder of a crucial aspect of long-term fitness: the exercise/work/life balance. It’s something I want to talk about today, alongside a quick workout I managed to squeeze in.

    A Quick Note on Volume & Intensity

    Before we dive into the details, I want to share a quick thought: The volume and intensity described in some of my training logs are specific to my current training cycle, experience, and personal goals. This isn’t a blanket recommendation for everyone to follow verbatim. Always listen to your body, prioritize good form, ensure adequate recovery, and scale workouts appropriately to your current fitness level and goals. Consistent, smart training will always yield the best long-term results. Where applicable, I’ll offer some scaled options for the workouts I share.

    The Reality of Exercise/Work/Life Balance

    Let’s be honest, not everyone can dedicate multiple hours every single day to exercise. Life happens – work commitments, family responsibilities, unexpected events. It’s easy to feel discouraged when you can’t stick to an “ideal” training schedule or when you see others seemingly living in the gym.

    The most important thing is not to strive for an unattainable perfection, but to aim for **consistency with what you *can* do.** If you only have 30 minutes, make those 30 minutes count. If you miss a day, or even two, don’t let it derail your entire week or make you feel like a failure. The key is to do the best you can, as consistently as you can over the long haul. Every little bit adds up and contributes to your overall health and Hyrox preparation.

    Getting Back on Track After a Short Break

    Sometimes, despite our best intentions, we might miss a few days of training. Getting back into the gym after even a short break can be mentally and physically tough, especially for those just starting out on their fitness journey. That first session back can feel daunting.

    My recommendation here is to **make the barrier to entry small.** Don’t try to jump back in where you left off with a high-intensity, high-volume workout. Instead, plan a very light and easy day for your first session back. The goal is simply to get moving again, to rebuild the habit, and to remind yourself how good it feels. This makes the task less daunting and helps you build momentum to gradually get back up to your normal training load.

    My Quick Session (May 31st)

    Given I was super short on time, I opted for a focused, quick session hitting some key posterior chain and unilateral leg movements.

    The Workout Blueprint:

    • Landmine Single Leg RDL:
      • 70 lbs x 20 reps per leg
      • 80 lbs x 20 reps per leg
      • 90 lbs x 20 reps per leg
    • Hip Thrust:
      • 90 lbs x 20 reps
      • 90 lbs x 20 reps
      • 90 lbs x 20 reps
    • Front Foot Elevated Landmine Reverse Lunge:
      • 90 lbs x 20 reps (left leg)
      • 90 lbs x 20 reps (right leg)
      • 90 lbs x 20 reps (left leg)
      • 90 lbs x 20 reps (right leg)
      • 90 lbs x 20 reps (left leg)
      • 90 lbs x 20 reps (right leg)

    Movement Breakdown & Rationale:

    Landmine Single Leg RDL: An excellent exercise for targeting the hamstrings and glutes unilaterally, while also challenging balance and core stability. The landmine setup can make it a bit more accessible than a dumbbell or barbell single leg RDL for some.
    Why I chose it: To get a strong posterior chain stimulus and work on single-leg stability efficiently.

    Hip Thrust: A primary movement for glute development and strength.
    Why I chose it: To directly target the glutes with a good volume of reps for muscular endurance.

    Front Foot Elevated Landmine Reverse Lunge: This variation increases the range of motion and can place more emphasis on the glute of the front leg, as well as the quad. The landmine provides a unique loading pattern.
    Why I chose it: To hit the legs unilaterally with a deep range of motion, promoting strength and stability.

    My Experience: This was all about getting in, working hard with quality movements, and getting out. Even a short, focused session like this is far better than doing nothing, especially when time is tight.

    Scaled Options:

    • Landmine Single Leg RDL: Bodyweight single leg RDL, or use lighter weight/dumbbells. Focus on balance and hinge mechanics.
    • Hip Thrust: Bodyweight glute bridges, or use lighter weight.
    • Front Foot Elevated Landmine Reverse Lunge: Regular reverse lunges (landmine or dumbbell), bodyweight reverse lunges, or split squats. Reduce reps or weight.

    Final Thoughts: Consistency Over Perfection

    Remember, the journey to fitness, whether for general health or a specific event like Hyrox, is a marathon, not a sprint. Some days you’ll have more time and energy than others. The key is to show up when you can, do what you can, and not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Every workout, no matter how short, is a step forward.

    Fitting Hyrox Training Into Your Life

    Struggling to balance work, life, and your Hyrox ambitions? As a certified Hyrox Performance Coach, I can help you create efficient and effective training plans that fit your schedule and get you ready for the October Hyrox in Toronto. Let’s make it work!

    Get in Touch

    How do you manage to fit in training when life gets hectic? What are your go-to quick workouts? Share your tips in the comments!


    Workout Summary (May 31, 2025)

    • Workout Name: QUICK STRENGTH SESSION
    • Date: Sat, May 31, 2025
    • Focus: Posterior Chain & Unilateral Leg Strength
    • Notes: Short on time; focused on quality movements.
    • Exercises Performed:
      • Landmine Single Leg RDL: 3 sets of 20 reps/leg (70lbs, 80lbs, 90lbs)
      • Hip Thrust: 3 sets of 20 reps @ 90 lbs
      • Front Foot Elevated Landmine Reverse Lunge: 3 sets of 20 reps/leg @ 90 lbs
    • Note: Detailed timing, HR, Calories not logged for this quick session.