But a slimmer, fitter Mountain was still pushed to his limits by one of the other most notable athletes of his native Iceland in a recent training session. Bjrnsson joined two-time CrossFit Fittest Woman on Earth, Annie Thorisdottir , for a circuit workout. The pair previously trained together last November , and Bjrnsson barely made it through the session. This time, Thorisdottir's husband Frederik Aegidius, a five-time CrossFit Games competitor, also joins themand Thorisdottir is currently very pregnant, with a delivery date in August .
They plan a grueling session that looks like this, which they go through twice:
Round One (2 minutes AMRAP)
- 10 second Air Bike Sprints 4 reps
- Kettlebell Swings 12 reps
Round Two (3 minutes AMRAP)
- Dumbbell Box Steps 8 reps
- Deadlifts 4 reps
- Machine Rower 8 calories
Round Three (4 minutes AMRAP)
- Bag Over Yokes
- Machine Bike
Bjrnsson called the workout the "hardest session of my life" in the video's title. From the footage, you can see that his claim about almost passing out wasn't an exaggerationhe almost didn't make it through.
They start on the Airbike, for 4 rounds of all-out sprintsbut first Bjrnsson needed to get his console working. Thorisdottir joked, "He doesn't know how cardio machines work!"
While Bjrnsson is adjusting to a new style of workouts, Thorisdottir has an entirely different challenge as a mom-to-be.
"It's been going pretty good," she said of her training. "I'm not getting to go as heavy as usual, and definitely modifying my overhead lifting. The belly is getting in the way of snatches and stuff, but I'm happy I can do a lot of stuff."
They finish their circuit of kettlebell swings with Airbike sprints.
"It's challenging, but I love it. I need it," Bjrnsson said.
As the clock hit zero to finish the final round's first set, Bjrnsson falls to the floor.
"This is the second time that Annie and Fred have destroyed me, but I'm not going to show them. I'm going to keep pushing," he said. "I won't break."
By the last round, Bjrnsson is on the verge of tapping out.
"I'm already getting cramped everywhere," he said, so he finishes on the bike.
Even though he had a tough time, Thorisdottir notes that Bjrnsson is in better shape than the last time they trained together, when he struggled even more.
"This I can work with!" she exclaims.
"Yeah, my training is going to change more. I need to work on my endurance," said Bjrnsson. "She still beats me and she's 30 weeks pregnant!"