EMOM (Every Minute On the Minute)

conditioning

~10 min

Perform prescribed reps at the top of each minute. Rest for the remainder of the minute. Repeat for N minutes.

How it works

Set a clock for X total minutes. At 0:00, perform the prescribed work. Whatever time remains in that minute is rest. At 1:00, work begins again. Continue until the clock reaches X minutes. Alternating EMOMs assign different movements to odd vs. even minutes.

Pros

  • Time-efficient
  • Auto-regulating (rest scales inversely with output speed)
  • Great for skill work + conditioning combined
  • Easy to progress (add reps, add minutes, or add load)

Cons

  • Can become sloppy under fatigue if reps are too high
  • Requires a timer/clock
  • Not ideal for true max-effort strength work

Best for

ConditioningSkill practice (Olympic lifts, kettlebell ballistics)Kettlebell workMetabolic conditioning

Examples

  • EMOM 10: 10 KB swings
  • EMOM 20 alt: Odd - 5 pull-ups, Even - 10 push-ups
  • Death by burpee (add 1 rep each min)

Notes

One of the most widely used CrossFit-derived formats outside of CrossFit gyms — extremely popular in kettlebell and general strength-conditioning programming.

Sources