15/10/2025
Barbell Basics Course — The Joker Round.🃏
In the practice portion of our Barbell Strength Course we draw cards to determine the primary movements of the day.
The standard program is 5x5 on 2 primary movements + accessories, but every now and then — for a bit of spice — we throw the joker into the deck. 👹
If the Joker is drawn, we pivot from steady strength focusing on a couple of things, to conditioning with a bunch in a 30min AMRAP (As Many Rounds as Possible) with a twist…
The Draw: Numbered deck (shuffled 2-10’s).
Pick a card. 🎴
The suit is the movement, the number is the reps. 🏋️♀️ 🧮
Keep drawing for 30mins. ⏱️
Today’s Movements:
♠️ Clean
♦️ Floor Press
♣️ Bulgarian Split Squat
♥️ Landmine Upright Row
In the end, this round we got through 28 cards, which is the most we’ve drawn to date in a Joker set.
This included all the Spades / Cleans (2-10) which was definitely felt by all near the end. 😆
Nathan & Dylan decided to keep cracking on and get the whole deck in on overtime.
The rest of us were more than happy with the 28 drawn, plus a cheeky extra overtime press draw to close off the day.
That’s the beauty of our programs and the way we do things — we all go our own way together, with learning how to personalise is baked into the process.
We also don’t ’go hard’ all the time, but when we do, it’s because we feel strong and capable enough to get after it safely and effectively.
It’s not about diving in and hoping for the best, it’s about tuning in and adjusting to where we’re at on any given day.
Aidin, for instance, is in recovery so followed along with his own set of substitute movements so he could still amongst it without setting himself backwards just to follow what was on the board.
Does this sound like an approach to movement that you could be your jam?
Whether you’re keen to give our course based classes a crack, or would like to explore personal coaching options to help you start up or fine tune your own routine, we’d love to hear from you. 🤗
Reach out via DM to have a chat. ✌️
Be water my friends 🌊
Coach Clem