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Posted by on May 10, 2019 in Games for Large Groups, Games for Small Groups, Single Player Games | 0 comments

Black Burpee Red Run

Black Burpee Red Run

Simple but effective gasser of a workout for groups big and small…

Players: 1+

Equipment: Playing cards, cones

Setup: Place 11 cones out in a row for running, separated about 5m (~15ft) apart, going away from the play area.  Have cards shuffled and ready.

Black Burpee Red Run Group Fitness Game at gamesfitness.com

Space out cones out in a row away from play area.

Game: When I have a small group of 1-5 people I like to do this as one team working together against the clock, but with any more than that I like to play this as teams of 2-3 competing against each other.  Give each team a pile ~25 cards face down and spread them around for easy grabbing like this:

Black Burpee Red Run Group Fitness Game at gamesfitness.com

The cards are easier to grab this way.

Each player will individually draw from their team pile until it is finished.  Here’s the exercises:

  • Black cards (Spades & Clubs): Complete as many jump burpees as the number on the card (10 for face cards, 11 for ace)
  • Red cards (Diamonds & Hearts): Run to the cone that matches their number (Ace, being 11, is the furthest cone out)

First team to finish the pile wins, or if the solo team (or person) beat the clock, they win.  When timing, I usually pick a time that expects each person to be able to finish around 2 cards per minute. This game can be played for multiple rounds – I usually pick a different type of burpee for each round.  In fact, you can change up the black card exercises each round in such a way that you can have the bulk of your class be based on this game.  It also makes a great finisher, since it is essentially constant running and burpees!

Pro Tips: 

  • Don’t play this on very windy days.  You can figure out why.
  • Have players put their drawn cards face up under their mats (like up in the header picture) or water bottle or in some way such that they know what they have done and don’t get confused.
  • I take out most of the 2, 3, and 4 cards before playing 😉

Variations:

  • Free for All: Put a whole deck of cards in the middle and have each person work individually until someone gets 10 cards.  Make sure to advance players numbers each round to avoid repeat-winners.

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