• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Contributors
  • Resources
    • Q&A with Paul “Coach” Wade
  • Workshops
  • Products
  • Forums
  • Articles
  • Blogs
    • RKC Blog
    • Strong Medicine Blog
  • Archives

PCC Blog

Progressive Calisthenics - The Official Blog for the PCC Community

PCC Workshop

Al Kavadlo on The Century

February 5, 2013 By Al Kavadlo 30 Comments

Century TestingA key part of what makes the PCC different from many other fitness certifications is the inclusion of a physical requirement. It’s not simply enough to pay the fee, show up and get your certificate – you have to earn the PCC title!

In addition to demonstrating competency in teaching basic calisthenics exercises, PCC certified trainers must also pass Coach Wade’s “Century” test, a strength and conditioning challenge that consists of 100 consecutive bodyweight repetitions performed as follows:

Men  Women
40 Squats 40 Squats
30 Push-ups 30 Knee Push-ups
20 Hanging Knee Raises 20 Hanging Knee Raises
10 Pull-ups 10 Australian Pull-ups

 

The purpose of this test is to establish a baseline of competency in the performance of basic calisthenics. The Century includes a combination of movements that demonstrate strength and conditioning in the entire body.

A lot of people have asked about how the test will be judged. Here are some guidelines to make sure you are doing things the PCC way:

  • The exercises must be performed in the order listed above. No exceptions.
  • Squats must be performed with a minimum depth of top of the thighs parallel to the floor and a full lock out at the top of each rep. Arms may be raised in front, crossed, or placed on top of the head. Heels must stay flat the entire time.
  • Push-up depth must reach a minimum of 90 degrees of flexion as measured along the outside of the elbow and a full lockout must be achieved at the top of every rep. A straight body position must be maintained throughout the entire range of motion. No sticking your butt into the air or leaving your hips down on the ground.
  • Hanging knee raises must be performed with the knees being raised above waist level and a full extension of the legs at the bottom of every rep. Swinging shall be kept to a minimum. Arms must remain straight the entire set.
  • Pull-ups may be performed with an overhand or underhand grip. The chin must clear the bar at the top of each rep and a full extension must be reached at the bottom. Kipping will not be allowed. (Australian pull-ups are to be performed with the bar at waist height and a straight body position must be maintained throughout.)
  • Rest may be taken in between exercises, but each exercise must be completed in a single set. You may pause briefly between reps as long as the position is held (i.e. top of push-up position, bottom of pull-up, etc.)
  • The entire test must be completed in 8 minutes or less. The reps may be performed as quickly as you like as long as all the above rules are adhered to. Form first!

Watch the Century Test in action below:

—

www.AlKavadlo.com

 A veteran of the fitness industry, Al Kavadlo has recently been appointed as the lead instructor for the Progressive Calisthenics Certification. Recognized worldwide for his amazing bodyweight feats of strength as well as his unique coaching style, Al is also the author of three books, including Raising The Bar: The Definitive Guide to Pull-up Bar Calisthenics and the soon-to-be-released Pushing The Limits! Total Body Strength With No Equipment.

 

Filed Under: Progressive Calisthenics Tagged With: Al Kavadlo, calisthenics, Century Test, Convict Conditioning, PCC test, PCC Workshop, progressive calisthenics

Welcome to the launch of Dragon Door’s official blog for Progressive Calisthenics!

January 17, 2013 By John Du Cane, CEO and founder, Dragon Door 14 Comments

What are the two most remarkable events in the history of Dragon Door?

The first event was Dragon Door’s launch of the modern kettlebell movement and in particular the world’s first-ever kettlebell instructor certification program, the RKC in 2001. The impact worldwide has been astonishing and a joy to behold.

However, another event occurred in 2009 that may prove to have an equivalent impact on world fitness to Dragon Door’s championing of the kettlebell.

And that would be the launch of Paul Wade’s Convict Conditioning bodyweight exercise program. Convict Conditioning stormed to #1 bestseller status and has become Dragon Door’s most successful title of all time.

Why?

Why has Convict Conditioning become THE Bible for serious bodyweight exercise practitioners?

More than anything, it is because of Paul Wade’s brilliant system of progressions, based around six core exercises for supreme survival strength: pushups, pullups, squats, hanging leg raises, bridges and handstand pushups. With Paul’s progressions, you can begin with minimal ability and realistically, safely stack strength on strength—until you are as functionally strong as you could ever want to be. And then some…

The fitness world took notice—and history is being made as we speak.

Now, Dragon Door and Paul Wade are presenting an opportunity for trainers and bodyweight exercise enthusiasts worldwide to plunge deeper into the Convict Conditioning programs, with the Progressive Calisthenics Certification Workshop—to both master the progressions personally and be qualified to teach them to others.

If there is a white-hot trend in fitness right now, it’s bodyweight strength training. Athletes of all kinds are looking to the toughest, most brutally productive calisthenics techniques to spice up their workouts. We’re talking one-arm push-ups, pistols, pull-ups, handstands and hanging levers…

Sadly, there has been no international industry standard for bodyweight strength training instruction. Until now, with Dragon Door’s Progressive Calisthenics Certification Workshop.

To ensure that the bodyweight exercise community worldwide has a go-to educational resource to support their interest, Dragon Door is establishing the Progressive Calisthenics Blog. We intend this to become THE blog for high-level, practical, cutting edge articles and videos on all things bodyweight.

Besides regular contributions from Dragon authors Paul Wade and Al Kavadlo, expect to see some of the top names in bodyweight contribute their expertise.

The sky will be limit and we invite you to join the ride…

All the best in your training,

John Du Cane, CEO of Dragon Door Publications

Filed Under: Progressive Calisthenics Tagged With: blog introduction, calisthenics, Dragon Door Publications, John Du Cane, PCC, PCC Workshop, Progressive Calisthenics Certification Workshop

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 3
  • Page 4
  • Page 5

Primary Sidebar

Featured Products

previous arrow
GetStrongBookCover
ConvictConditioningBookCover
StreetWorkoutBookCover
ExplosiveCalisthenicsBookCover
StrengthRulesBookCover
next arrow

Categories

Progressive Calisthenics Certification Logo
Click here for more information or to register for the PCC workshop

Get Strong Workouts TriadXP App
Get Strong Workouts App

Recent Posts

  • Top 5 Reasons Why an In-Person Workshop is the Best Way to Supercharge Your Training
  • HYBRID STRENGTH TRAINING IS HERE!
  • My Calisthenics Journey to the PCC
  • The Handstand Press: Complete Control Through the Handstand
  • The Get Strong App is Here!

Dragon Door Publications

Dragon Door Publications

Recent Comments

  • bross dandon on The Case for Curved Handstands
  • Johnny Flewellen Jr. on Strength for Life
  • Dan Earthquake on The Pursuit of the Daily Minimum
  • Johnny Flewellen Jr. on The Pursuit of the Daily Minimum
  • Johnny Flewellen Jr. on Yoga, Calisthenics and the Journey of a Lifetime
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER!

Copyright © 2025

Dragon Door Publications / The author(s) and publisher of this material are not responsible in any manner whatsoever for any injury that may occur through following the instructions or opinions contained in this material. The activities, physical and otherwise, described herein for informational purposes only, may be too strenuous or dangerous for some people, and the reader(s) should consult a physician before engaging in them.