An invitation to contribute

The Industrial Strength London blog features different athletes, performers and fighters, professionals and amateur, men and women, from any and every background who demonstrate they have industrial strength qualities.

Do you, or do you know someone who has industrial strength levels of athleticism, mental strength, toughness, determination?

We are looking out for sports reports, news reports, video, interviews, articles and first hand observations from around the world.

Keep checking back to see what we come up with, and make some suggestions of your own.

Monday 17 December 2007

Pick a card, any card!

INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH – December 16th

Location: Balance (London Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic)

Thanks to all who came along and contributed to a satisfying morning session of training - a deck of cards bodyweight circuit and 30 minutes introducing kettlebell juggling to those that havent and trying a few new things for those that have juggled before.

There are many examples on the internet of workouts based around a deck of cards. You turn the top card and the card that shows tells you what exercise and how many reps you do.

Some people have actually made packs of cards with specific exercises and reps on them.

Yesterday we went a bit more freestyle and allowed a random bodyweight session to unfold. We took it in turns to turn the card and select the exercise based on the menu below.

Either way it was going to be challenging but the randomness and collective input made for a great session.

Here's how we put it together.....

Repetitions:

  • Joker = 50 reps any exercise
  • Aces = 20 reps
  • Picture cards (jack, queen, king) = 10 reps
  • Numbered cards = numbers on cards (!)

PICTURE CARDS = pick a total body drill, and decide whether reps are per side or total


  • Burpee (any variation)
  • Get up (any variation)
  • Bridges (gymnastic/ju jitsu)
  • Bear crawls (and variations)

RED = upper body


  • Hindu PUP
  • Handstand
  • Plyo PUP (including catch press from crouch)
  • Dips · Pull ups

BLACK = lower body


  • Squat
  • Step back stay low (jingos)
  • Jump squats
  • Drop squats
  • Lateral hop jumps
Apart from the jokers doing the session we had 3 jokers in the pack - the joker cards were used for 50 burpees, 50 brazilian ju jitsu style get ups, 50 situps (V- situps for the stupid ones).

It was a demanding session involving over 600 reps. If any of this doesnt make sense call or email me and i shall explain what we did in more detail.

We recovered a short while then went through some kettlebell juggling. Some good style was developed and some was already on show. This was particularly noticeable in the footwork which enabled us to avoid broken toes and ankles!

Then the usual suspects went for chicken.

Next session January 19th, 4-6pm

No comments: