General Prep
- 2:00 Row
- 2 Sets
- 10 Alternating Scorpions
- 10 Plank Shoulder Taps
- 10 Deep Lunge Mountain Climbers
- :10 Hollow Hold
- 10 V-Ups
Specific Prep
- Go over Bench Press and GHD Sit-Ups Technique and Progressions
- 8/6 Calorie Row
- 8 Empty Barbell Bench Press
- 8 GHD Sit-Ups (Short Range of Motion)
- 4 Burpees to Target
- 8/6 Calorie Row
- 6 Barbell Bench Press @ 40-50%
- 8 GHD Sit-Ups (Increased Range of Motion)
- 3 Burpees to Target
- 8/6 Calorie Row
- 4 Empty Barbell Bench Press 50-60%
- 8 GHD Sit-Ups (Full Range of Motion)
- 2 Burpees to Target
House of Cards
20-minute EMOM cycling through rowing, bench press, GHD sit-ups, and burpees with a rest minute every 5th minute. Four complete rounds.
4 working minutes + 1 rest, x4 rounds
-
15/12
Calorie Row
Minute 1
-
10
Bench Press
Minute 2 @ 60% of 1RM
-
15
V-Ups
Minute 3
-
10
Burpees to Target
Out of ReachMinute 4
-
Rest
Minute 5
-
12/9
Calorie Row
Minute 1
-
10
Bench Press
Minute 2 @ 60% of 1RM
-
15
V-Ups
Minute 3
-
8
Burpees to Target
Out of ReachMinute 4
-
Rest
Minute 5
-
10/7
Calorie Row
Minute 1
-
10
Bench Press
Minute 2 @ 60% of 1RM
-
15
Abmat Sit-Ups
Minute 3
-
8
Burpees
Minute 4
-
Rest
Minute 5
PRVN Mobility #5
- 1:00 Elevated Prayer Stretch
- 1:00/1:00 Single Leg Forward Fold
- 1:00/1:00 Couch Stretch
- 1:00/1:00 Thread the Needle Stretch
Rotational Work + bodybuilding
- 10/10 Half Kneeling Paloff Press with Rotation
- 20 Renegade Row
- 10 Dumbbell Rolling Tricep Extensions
Primary: Protect the bench press across all 4 rounds. At 60% the load should be manageable and unbroken every minute — if athletes are grinding reps or missing the window, the load is too heavy.
Secondary: Use the rest minute. A full minute of intentional recovery is built into this EMOM for a reason. Athletes should breathe down, shake out, and arrive at the row ready to move, not still recovering from the burpees.
Strategy
"House of Cards" is a five-minute rotating EMOM that cycles through four distinct demands before giving athletes a full minute of rest. The structure rewards consistent, controlled output across all four rounds. This is not a workout where athletes sprint any single minute. Every movement feeds into the next, and athletes who redline early will start dropping time in their windows by round 3. Row: This is the heart rate setter for the minute cycle. A strong, controlled pull that gets athletes off the erg with time to transition cleanly. Athletes who sprint the row will arrive at the bench press with a heart rate they can't manage. Find a powerful, but sustainable pace and stay there every round. Bench Press: At 60% of 1RM this should be unbroken and smooth across all 4 sets. This is a volume accumulation minute, not a max effort. Focus on a controlled descent, full lockout, and consistent breathing. GHD Sit-Ups: For athletes with limited GHD exposure, reduce reps and/or range of motion. These come in the middle of the cycle and will accumulate hip flexor fatigue across all 4 rounds. Stay controlled and consistent. Burpees to Target: The final working minute before rest. A steady, rhythmic pace gets athletes through 10 reps with time to spare and sets them up to use the full rest minute effectively. Jumping to a target that is truly out of reach enforces full hip extension on every rep.
Modifications
Row: Reduce Calories / Adjust to Bike Erg / Adjust to 150-200m Run. Bench Press: Reduce Load / Adjust to Dumbbell Bench Press / Adjust to Floor Press. GHD Sit-Ups: Reduce Reps / Limit Range of Motion / Adjust to Abmat Sit-Ups / Adjust to V-Ups. Burpees to Target: Reduce Reps / Adjust to Burpees with No Target / Adjust to Up Downs (No Push-Up, No Jump Burpees).