Is CrossFit doing as much for you as a typical half-hour at the gym?

Hurricanes and CrossFit workouts have one thing in common: Some of the most brutal ones are named after women.

When scientists at Kennesaw State University studied Cindy, one of the fitness brand’s benchmark timed workouts, they found that this routine can burn 261 calories. Keep in mind that Cindy has to be completed in just 20 minutes.

“The entire workout contains just three bodyweight exercises. But because the exercises incorporate all your muscles and you do them intensely, the workout is impressive in terms of caloric expenditure,” says Brian Kliszczewicz, Ph.D. and lead study author.

And as the infographic below reveals, that’s nearly as many calories as you’d burn during a more typical half-hour gym session. Here’s how Cindy stacks up against your average workout.

Sweat with Cindy

Set a timer on your watch or phone for 20 minutes. Do 5 pull-ups, 10 pushups, and 15 squats, in that order. That’s 1 round. Do as many rounds as you can before the time runs out.

Pullup
Use an overhand grip to hang from a pullup bar with your arms straight. Pull your chest to the bar. Pause, and then return to the starting position.

Pushup
Assume a pushup position. With your elbows tucked, lower your chest until it’s just a few inches off the floor. Pause, and push yourself back up.

Squat
Stand with your feet set slightly beyond shoulder width. Now push your hips back and lower your body as far as possible. Stand back up.

Source: Men’s Health