The Greatest Trick - The Keyser Söze Workout

Inspired by criminal mastermind Keyser Söze from the film ‘The Usual Suspects‘, this workout is full of twists and turns. Expect the unexpected as you navigate unpredictable exercises that challenge your body and mind.

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Criminal Underworld Workouts

Fast, intense, and effective—Criminal Underworld Workouts bring the grit and edge of the underworld to your fitness routine. Inspired by the calculated moves of cinema’s most notorious masterminds, these bodyweight, light resistance, and cardio routines are designed to keep you sharp, strong, and always one step ahead. Whether you’re planning the perfect heist or fighting your way out, each workout is a smash-and-grab fitness fix with just one question: Can you handle the heat?

The Devil Himself...

Bryan Singer’s The Usual Suspects is a masterclass in storytelling, deception, and suspense. At its heart lies the enigmatic figure of Keyser Söze, a criminal mastermind whose existence is shrouded in myth and fear. Told through an intricate web of flashbacks and misdirection, the film keeps viewers guessing until its unforgettable twist ending. With iconic performances, razor-sharp dialogue, and a plot that challenges perceptions of truth, The Usual Suspects has cemented its legacy as one of cinema’s greatest thrillers.

In The Usual Suspects, a routine police lineup throws together a group of criminals, each with their own skills and history, after they’re rounded up as suspects in a truck hijacking case.

Inspired by Söze’s unpredictability and brilliance, this workout is all about twists and surprises. Expect the unexpected with unconventional exercises, varied tempos, and dynamic movements that keep your body guessing. Just like the man himself, it’s clever, challenging, and never what it seems. Can you rise to the challenge, or will it all disappear in a puff of smoke?

Seizing the opportunity, the group uses the lineup as a springboard to form a crew and take on lucrative heists, including targeting New York’s finest “taxi service” in a bold move against corrupt NYPD officers.

The Workout

About the Circuit

The Keyser Söze Workout mirrors the unpredictable choices faced by the characters in the storyline, blending strength, endurance, and mental challenge. At each of the five stations—push, pull, core, lower body, and cardio—you’ll draw a random ‘envelope’ containing exercises for that section. Some envelopes may ask you to perform one exercise, while others combine two. The randomness of the circuit means no two workouts are ever the same while ensuring every major muscle group gets its turn in the spotlight. The blend of compound movements, isolation exercises, and high-intensity cardio builds strength, muscular endurance, and functional fitness. This circuit can be scaled for both beginners and advanced athletes. Draw your envelopes and seal your own fate… The randomness means you never know what’s coming next, but rest assured, the workout targets your entire body and builds to a cardio-focused finale.

The Devil’s Finisher

The final twist is as ruthless as Keyser Söze himself—a choice between two brutal 10-minute AMRAP finishers. The Devil’s Choice adds a high-intensity element that elevates heart rate, promotes fat loss, and improves metabolic conditioning. Both will push you to your limits, and either one could be your undoing. Choose wisely and finish strong.

Overall, this workout’s versatility, intensity, and creative design make it an excellent choice for anyone seeking to build strength, burn fat, and challenge their mental and physical limits in a single session.

Game of Shadows Circuit

Workout Summary

Five stations, five areas: push movements, pull movements, core, legs, and cardio.
At each station, draw an envelope containing your randomised exercise(s).
Some stations require you to select two exercises per section (e.g., two chest exercises).
Complete the prescribed reps and sets for each exercise.
Move on to the next station once you’ve finished.

Station 1 - Push Section

Focus: Upper-body pushing strength and endurance.

Push-ups, overhead presses, dips, or similar movements.
6 x exercises at random (2 x chest, 2 x triceps, 2 x shoulders).
All of the push exercises in this section will involve the upper body.

Click on the envelopes to see the fate Keyser Söze has chosen for you…

Chest

Triceps

Shoulders

Day off? More time on your hands? No excuses, try one of our Super Soldier Workouts!

Station 2: Pull Section

Focus: Upper-body pulling strength.

Pull-ups, rows, or similar exercises to target the back and biceps.
4 x exercises at random (2 x back, 2 x biceps).
All of the push exercises in this section will involve the upper body.

Click on the envelopes to see the fate Keyser Söze has chosen for you…

Back

Biceps

Unbeknownst to the suspects, they are being manipulated from behind the scenes by Keyser Söze, a ruthless and enigmatic crime lord, rumoured to be of Hungarian origin. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Söze knows everything about their lives, using his knowledge to bend them to his will.

Station 3: Core Section

Focus: Abdominal and oblique strength and stability.

4 x exercises at random. Click on each envelope to target the whole core.
Try to engage all areas of the core, upper abs, lower, obliques and glutes. If unhappy, roll again.

Click on the envelopes to see the fate Keyser Söze has chosen for you…

Anterior Core

Obliques

Deep Core/Anti-Rotation

Posterior Core

Station 4: Lower Body

Focus: Leg strength and explosive power.

Squats, lunges, step-ups, or plyometric drills.
4 x exercises at random.
Click on each envelope x1 to target different areas of the legs.

Click on the envelopes to see the fate Keyser Söze has chosen for you…

Quadriceps (Front of the Legs)

Hamstrings (Back of the Legs)

Glutes (Hips and Buttocks)

Calves

Station 5: Cardio/Agility

Focus: Heart rate elevation and movement efficiency.

Sprint intervals, lateral hops, or agility ladder drills.
Choose cardio exercise at random.

Click on the envelope to see the fate Keyser Söze has chosen for you…

Cardio

The Devils Choice Finisher

Explanation

The finisher for this workout is The Devil’s Choice.
Select one of the AMRAP (As Many Reps As Possible) circuits below.
Set the clock for 5 or 10 minutes, depending on your level or ability.
Work your way through the chosen circuit, completing all reps and sets as required.
Once completed, return to the first station and repeat the circuit for the remaining time.
No rest—push through until the clock runs out.