23 CrossFit EMOM Workouts You Should Try Today

There’s much to be said for training smarter and harder. Getting an intense full-body workout in a short period of time is ideal for busy athletes juggling their many responsibilities while improving their fitness.

EMOM training is a popular workout in the CrossFit world thanks to their many benefits. An EMOM workout can build muscular strength, muscular endurance, and athletic skills. Whether your goals are fat loss, muscle gain, or metabolic conditioning, EMOM training can help.

Here’s everything you need to know about EMOM training and a list of the most effective EMOM workouts to help you achieve your fitness goals.

What Is EMOM?

CrossFit is known for having some creative acronyms. Your WOD is the Workout of the Day. An AMRAP workout means completing As Many Reps As Possible within in a given time frame. Then we have the EMOM.

EMOM is an acronym for Every Minute on the Minute. These training sessions can be incorporated into larger programs as part of the skill/strength session or as the WOD itself, depending on your goals and the intensity.

So what does “every minute on the minute” mean when doing a workout? In simplest terms, an EMOM workout operates as follows:

  • At the top of each minute, do the prescribed number of repetitions of an exercise (or exercises).
  • Once you’ve completed the work, you have the remainder of the minute to rest.
  • At the top of the next minute, you repeat the workout.

So for example, a Burpee EMOM where you perform 10 burpees every minute on the minute might look like this:

  • The timer starts. It takes you 38 seconds to perform 10 burpees.
  • When you’re done, you have 22 seconds to rest and catch your breath.
  • At the top of the next minute, start your next round of burpees.

EMOM workouts are a versatile fitness training tool. They can be performed as a sprint or endurance workout, and last anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes (though most workouts will be between 10 and 20 minutes).

Benefits of EMOM Workouts

There are numerous benefits to EMOM style workouts when trying to improve your fitness level. Their versatility makes this unique brand of CrossFit workout a fan-favorite for beginners, pros, and everyone in between.

Flexible timing

One of the best EMOM training benefits for athletes with busy schedules is the flexible timing. Whether you’re trying to get in a workout on your lunch break or only have a sitter for an hour, you can scale every EMOM to fit your needs.

With this intense style of interval training, you can get an effective full-body workout hitting multiple muscle groups in as little as ten minutes. Choose a compound exercise, choose your reps, set a timer, and get to it.

Metabolic conditioning

The interval workout training style has become so popular for its effectiveness in building strength and burning fat quickly. This intense training style also helps improve your metabolic conditioning— how your body consumes oxygen and uses energy to fuel your activities. A HIIT workout combines intensity with rest periods to push your body to the brink without tipping the scales.

Metabolic conditioning will carry over into your cross-training activities, as well as the activities of daily living. You’ll notice a difference in your endurance while running, hiking, or just walking up a few flights of stairs when the elevator is broken.

Variable equipment needs

No gym equipment? No problem. The beauty of EMOM style workouts is that you can benefit from this training style whether you’ve got a full barbell set-up or just want a powerful bodyweight workout at home. Staying in a hotel room for quarantine while traveling for work? Pack a resistance band and recreate your favorite barbell movements.

Customization

No matter your fitness level, timing, equipment or exercise preferences, you can make an EMOM work for you. Don’t have the equipment you need? Does an existing knee injury cause you pain during jump squats? Swap out for a different exercise.

EMOM Workouts

EMOM CrossFit Workouts

Below are 20 EMOM CrossFit workouts you can try. They are divided up by EMOM workouts for strength, skill development, CrossFit, and challenge WODs.

There are various CrossFit related terms used in these workouts. Use the glossary at the bottom with links to the techniques and how to master each unique workout type.

EMOM Workouts for Strength

snatch

#1: Snatch Variation EMOM

EMOM 10:

1 Hang Power Snatch + 1 Hang Snatch + 1 Squat Snatch

Start at 50 %of your 1RM and add weight each set.

Score = heaviest weight successfully completed.

#2. Clean Variation EMOM

EMOM 10: 1 Hang Power Clean + 1 Hang Squat Clean + 1 Squat Clean

Start at 50 %of your 1RM and add weight each set.

Score = heaviest weight successfully completed.

#3. “Linda” EMOM

EMOM 9:

Min 1: 5 Deadlifts, 315lbs

Min 2: 5 Bench Press 225lbs

Min 3: 5 Power Cleans, 185lbs

#4. DT EMOM

EMOM 12:

Min 1: 8 Deadlifts

Min 2: 8 Hang Cleans

Min 3: 8 Push Jerks Weight = 155/115 lbs

#5. Thruster + Strict Pull-Ups EMOM

EMOM 10:

Min 1: 5 Thrusters, 135lbs

Min 2: Max Strict Pull-Ups in 30 seconds

Score = Thrusters + pull-ups completed

#6. Death by Deadlift

Use 80% of your 1RM deadlift max. Add a rep each minute.

Min 1: 1 Deadlift

Min 2: 2 Deadlifts

Min 3: 3 Deadlifts

Continue to failure.

EMOM Workouts for Skill Development

crossfit muscle up

#7. Pull-Up Practice EMOM

EMOM 9:

Min 1: 4 Strict Pull-Ups

Min 2: 6 Kipping Pull-Up

Min 3: 8 Kipping Chest To Bar Pull-Ups

#8. Muscle-Ups/Double Unders EMOM

EMOM 12:

Min 1: 5 Muscle-Ups

Min 2: 40 Double Unders

Min 3: Rest

#9. Inverted EMOM

EMOM 12:

Min 1: 20 Air Squats

Min 2: Handstand Hold, 30 seconds

Min 3: Row 10 calories

Min 4: Handstand Push-ups, max reps

Score = handstand pushups completed

#10. Gymnastics Medley EMOM

EMOM 12:

Min 1: 6 Pull-Ups

Min 2: 6 Strict Handstand Push-ups

Min 3: 3 Muscle-Ups

Min 4: Handstand walk for distance

Score = total handstand distance. Use chalk or markers to measure.

#11. Grip That Bar EMOM

EMOM 8:

Min 1: 10 Pull-Ups

Min 2: 10 Toes To Bar

Bonus CrossFit EMOM Workouts

box jump crossfit

#12. Helen EMOM

EMOM 12:

Min 1: 150M shuttle sprint

Min 2: 12 kettlebell swings, 1.5/1 pood

Min 3: 9 Pull-ups

#13: Chelsea EMOM

EMOM 30:

5 Pull-ups

10 Push-ups

15 Air Squats

#14: Burpee “Death By”

EMOM 20: 10 Burpees

Score = total number of burpees completed. Don’t stop if you miss a round of 10.

#15: “Danny” EMOM

EMOM 24:

Min 1: 10 Box Jumps

Min 2: 10 Push Presses, 115 lbs

Min 3: 10 Pull-Ups

#16: JT EMOM

EMOM 9:

Min 1: 9 Handstand Push-ups

Min 2: 9 Ring Dips

Min 3: 9 Push-Ups

#17: Freight Train EMOM

EMOM 9:

Min 1: 10 Burpees

Min 2: 20 Air Squats

Min 3: 10 Dumbbell Thrusters, 50lbs

Challenge EMOM Workouts

Wall ball workout

#18. “Filthy 50″ 2X EMOM

EMOM 20:

Min 1: Box jump, 24-inch box

Min 2: Jumping pull-ups

Min 3: Kettlebell swings, 1 pood

Min 4: Walking Lunge, 50 steps

Min 5: Knees to elbows

Min 6: Push press, 45 pounds

Min 7: Back extensions

Min 8: Wall ball shots, 20-pound ball

Min 9: Burpees

Min 10: DoubleUnders

Score = total number of reps completed

#19. Really “Nasty Girls” EMOM

EMOM 12:

Min 1: 15 Pistol Squats

Min 2: 5 Muscle-Ups

Min 3: 10 Hang Power Cleans, 175lbs

#20. “Kalsu” EMOM:

5 Burpees + Max Thrusters,

135 lbs Workout ends once you hit 100 total thrusters.

Read Also: Conquer Kalsu WOD – One of the hardest CrossFit Workouts

#21. Football Field Hell EMOM

EMOM 10:

1 “Gasser” (down and back 2x using side of field length) + 5 Dumbbell Thrusters, 70 lb

#22. 20×20 Kettlebell Swing Complex EMOM

EMOM 20:

20 Kettlebell Swings, 1 pood

8 KB Reverse lunge, 4 per leg

#23. Jump Rope Thruster EMOM

EMOM 10:

30 Double Unders

5 Barbell Thrusters, 135lbs

Success Keys for EMOM Workouts

EMOM workouts require good pacing and an emphasis on good technique, especially as you fatigue.

Because there is rest built into the workout, many people make the mistake of going too hard and too fast in the first portion of the EMOM. This leaves them gassed, or needing to scale movements by minute 6 or 8.

It’s also important to know the goal of an effective workout. Emoms are a great tool for warming up, developing skills, and really testing your fitness lvel. A general rule of thumb to follow is:

  • Warm up EMOM exercises should never spike your heart rate
  • Skill EMOMs should always have at least 20 seconds of rest built into each minute
  • Fitness EMOMs can be hard, but if you use Olympic lifts or other high-technique exercises, form is the most important.

Below, we’ll look at all the benefits of EMOM workouts.

Noah OhlsenPushing a sled
Noah OhlsenPushing a sled

How to Get the Most from Your EMOM Style Workouts

Skill-building

Incorporating EMOMs into your program helps improve technique. By choosing to do 1 or 2 reps for 5 to 10 minutes, you can focus on your form.

Add movements that will improve your cardio, strength, or other areas that need work. Don’t hesitate to choose a different exercise than you’d normally do to broaden your skill set.

Training for different outcomes

EMOMs can be programmed to train for specific goals such as strength, cardio, endurance, conditioning, and technique. The EMOM can include one or more of the goals just mentioned.

When programming an EMOM for strength, the weights should be at a high percentage of either your 1RM or 5RM.

Depending on how long and how many reps the EMOM is going to be.

When programming an EMOM for cardio or endurance, the exercises chosen should be able to be done with speed without a heavy load.

Determine what your overarching goals are, and build your workout plan around those.

Plan Your Timing

With EMOMs you can get a great workout in a short amount of time. These can be “stand-alone” workouts as well as at the end of a strength training session. They don’t necessarily have to be followed by a WOD.

Plan carefully so that you get an effective workout the whole way through. Scale back on your EMOM if it’s a warm-up leading into an intense WOD. Conversely, if the EMOM is at the end of your workout, hit it hard.

Rest periods

Although it may not be as long as you would like, there should always be rest periods in EMOMs.

If you find that you have to start again right after finishing a movement, the EMOM may need to be modified.

The rest period is not only to gain energy for the next minute, it is the perfect time to assess your skill and make improvements.

You may find that a movement is getting sloppy. Here is where you visualize the movement in your head so you can improve it.

Versatility

EMOMs add versatility to your fitness programs. They keep things interesting and challenging at the same time.

It’s also a great way to keep your body challenged and not stagnant with the same ‘ole, same ‘ole. That means you need to challenge yourself to try different movements instead of sticking with your favorites. Don’t be afraid to schedule in the exercises you hate, despise, or loathe entirely. Swing those battle ropes, push it on the assault bike, and leave your comfort zone in the dust for an effective workout.

How often should you do EMOMs?

If you’re using EMOMs to build strength and conditioning, they can be added after your strength session.

And like strength training programs, you should take a break from heavy EMOMs (80%).

So, if you’ve trained hard for four weeks, take a break for a week by training light (50%).

As part of a GPP (general physical preparedness) program, you could do an EMOM workout 4 or 5 days per week no problem.

In fact, as long as you switch up the movements you’re using, there is really no limit on how many of these types of workouts you can do. (If they’re really heavy or skill-intensive, maybe do them once or twice per week).

Just like all other training modalities, a break from EMOMs will get your body ready for the next few weeks of work.

Because EMOMs are so versatile and time-efficient, they can be plugged into pretty much any type of workout program successfully.

How Do EMOM Workouts Differ From High-Intensity Interval Training?

High intensity interval training

EMOM workouts follow a very specific time structure: at the top of every minute, you’re performing an exercise. If programmed correctly, there’s also a break for you to catch your breath before the next minute begins.

While EMOMs, HIIT training, and Tabatas fall under the same umbrella, there are some key differences. Namely, the time structure can vary greatly.

For example, Tabata workouts do 20 seconds of work followed by 10 seconds of rest for 8 rounds. But you could also do 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off or 5 minutes on, 2 minutes off if you wanted to. All of those would count as HIIT workouts.

While the types of fitness being developed are similar (work capacity and cardiovascular fitness), the specific structure of the EMOM is what sets the two apart.

Are EMOM CrossFit Workouts For Everyone?

The above EMOMs are a few examples of how you can test your skill, conditioning, and strength. They can be done by anyone.

Not only are EMOMs great because of the amount of time and work, a timer keeps track of time for you.

With the timer, you can also see how long it takes you to do a certain number of reps of an exercise. This will help you keep the pace you need to get the amount of rest you want.

If an EMOM begins to get easy, you can always increase intensity by increasing the load (the weight) or reps or time. It’s that simple.

Let us know in the comments which EMOM you try.

Glossary

AMRAP
Burpees
Chest to Bar (C2B) Pull Ups
Deadlift
Double Unders
Hang Clean
Hang Power Clean
HIIT Workout
Kettlebell Swing
Muscle Ups
Pistol Squat
Plyo Box
Push Jerk
Recovery WOD
Snatch
TABATA workout
Thruster WOD
Wall Ball