How The Deck Of Cards Workout Works | Tom Rowland Podcast Ep. 410

Tom Rowland walks you through the custom deck of cards workout system he created — a portable fitness solution that delivers over 27,000 workout variations and requires zero equipment. In this Physical Friday episode of the Tom Rowland Podcast, Tom demonstrates exactly how his fishing-themed deck works, from assigning exercises to suits to using joker cards for challenge rounds. He reveals multiple workout variations, explains rep schemes, and shows why this single deck has become his go-to travel fitness tool. If you've struggled to maintain workouts on the road or need a system that's never repetitive, the strategies Tom shares will change how you approach portable training.

Over 27,000 Workouts in a Single Deck

Tom opens with a number that sounds impossible: over 27,000 different workouts from one deck of cards. The math works because of how the system layers variability — four suits, four exercise options per suit, face values from 2 to king, plus two joker wild cards. What makes Tom's version different from a standard playing deck is the fishing imagery and the four suggested exercises printed on each suit. He explains that while you could use any regular deck and just assign exercises mentally, having them written down eliminates the mental load and keeps you focused on the work. The genius is in the simplicity: you can stick this in any travel bag, use it in a hotel room or on a beach, and never do the same workout twice. Tom breaks down the complete system starting at 00:01:48.

How the Rep Scheme Actually Works

The foundation of the workout is straightforward but Tom walks through it step by step. Cards numbered 2 through 10 equal their face value in reps. Face cards — jacks, queens, kings — all equal 10 reps. But here's where customization enters: if you're not ready for 10 reps on face cards, Tom says you can make them equal whatever you want. Face cards could equal one rep if you're trying to make the deck easier, or 100 reps if you want to make it brutally hard. He typically keeps face cards at 10. Aces are your choice — he leaves that open. The flexibility means the workout scales to any fitness level while maintaining the same random structure. The full rep scheme explanation with examples starts at 00:04:19.

The Multiple Workout Variations Tom Uses

Tom demonstrates several different ways to structure your workout with the same deck. The first variation: decide before you start that you'll do exercise number one for every suit. So spades get exercise one, clubs get exercise one, diamonds and hearts also get exercise one. Simple, but creates a balanced full-body workout. The second variation gets more interesting — you shuffle the deck and the first suit you turn over determines exercise one, the next new suit you hit determines exercise two, and so on. This creates complete randomness and forces you to adapt on the fly. The third variation Tom mentions is his favorite for brutal simplicity: red cards equal one exercise, black cards equal another. He gives the example of black cards as burpees and red cards as push-ups — a combination that will test anyone's conditioning. Tom walks through all three variations with live demonstrations starting at 00:05:49.

The Joker Cards: Adding Challenge Rounds

Every deck has two jokers, and Tom uses them as wildcard challenge rounds. His joker cards have four exercises printed on them just like the suits, but the numbers are different — things like 50 sit-ups or a one-mile run. You decide before the workout which joker exercise you'll do, and when you flip a joker during your workout, you have to complete that challenge before continuing. Tom mentions you could customize these to your environment — if you're by a swimming pool, maybe your joker is five laps. The jokers break up the pattern and force you to handle an unexpected volume spike, which mimics the unpredictability of real-world physical demands. It's the element that takes the workout from structured to genuinely challenging. The joker card explanation and customization options begin at 00:06:27.

Final Thoughts from Tom

I've been using this deck for years now, and it's solved one of the biggest problems I had with staying fit on the road. When you're traveling constantly — whether for fishing trips or just life — you can't always count on having a gym or equipment. This deck goes everywhere with me. I can throw it in a boat bag, a carry-on, even a pocket, and I know I've got a legitimate workout waiting no matter where I end up.

What I love most is that it never gets boring. The randomness keeps your body guessing and your mind engaged. You can't zone out and go through the motions when you don't know what's coming next. And the scalability means anyone can use this system — from someone just starting out to someone who's been training for decades. You control the intensity by how you set up the rep schemes and which exercises you choose.

If you've been looking for a fitness solution that's portable, infinitely variable, and actually challenging, this is it. Watch the full demonstration so you can see exactly how each variation works in real time. It's worth your time.