A video featuring the British actor Tom Holland has gone viral on social media, in which he talks about his favorite CrossFit workout called Cindy. The routine lasts just 20 minutes and consists of three basic exercises — pull-ups, push-ups, and squats. After the clip was published, thousands of Instagram and TikTok users, fitness influencers, and even U.S. military personnel began replicating this format, though not everyone can beat the "Spider-Man's" score.

What Is the Cindy Workout

Cindy is a classic CrossFit routine in AMRAP (As Many Rounds As Possible) format. One set includes 5 pull-ups, 10 push-ups, and 15 squats, performed back-to-back with no rest between exercises. The point of the workout is to fit as many of these sets as possible within 20 minutes, repeating them one after another. It is precisely this simplicity and time limit that make the routine popular: it requires no equipment other than a pull-up bar and is well suited for testing functional endurance.

How Tom Holland Describes the Routine

In a comment for Men's Health UK, the actor called Cindy a "great workout" on which "you don't have to think about anything else, you just count your sets." According to him, when he is very tired he manages one set per minute, which ultimately gives him around 20 rounds in a 20-minute interval. Holland emphasizes that the format helps you focus on the count and stay undistracted, making it a convenient tool both for a warm-up and for a full workout.

The Viral Effect After the New "Spider-Man"

Interest in the workout spiked after the release of the film "Spider-Man: Brand New Day." In the feed, the actor appears shirtless and shows off an impressive physique, which further fueled the audience's attention. On Instagram and TikTok there are already thousands of videos in which athletes, fitness bloggers, and military personnel replicate the Cindy routine; the clips rack up millions of views. At the same time, editors note that far from everyone can match Holland's result, which is what turns the workout into an informal challenge.

A Professional Trainer's Assessment

Top trainer at the Smartass sports club, Artem Khilnich, called Cindy an "excellent and effective routine," especially when there is a time limit. According to him, a full 30-minute workout can be built around it: 5 minutes for a warm-up, 20 minutes for the main part, and 5 minutes for a cool-down, or the routine can be embedded into a longer, more complex workout. The trainer himself also replicated the format: "I got a bit carried away and lost count, but in total I managed up to 30 rounds," taking only minimal breaks between sets. In his assessment, a well-conditioned person can complete around 20–25 rounds, depending on technique, age, and body weight, so the routine can serve as a benchmark for gauging functional endurance and progress.

Warnings and Safety Tips

Despite its effectiveness, the trainer stresses that a high-intensity workout drains a lot of energy and places a significant load on the cardiovascular system and muscles. He advises paying close attention to how you feel: "it should be hard, but not bad." You can aim for high results and progress only if you already have experience with this kind of load, to avoid injury or overtraining.