CrossFit's Workout Of The Day

Friday 260206

10 rounds for time of:
5 back squats
3 muscle-ups

♀ 155-lb barbell
♂ 225-lb barbell

Post time to the comments.

Stimulus and Strategy:
Today's workout involves a challenging load on the back squat, combined with a high-skill gymnastics movement — both for a significant number of reps. The back-squat loading should be moderate to heavy and achievable for 5 reps on each round, but also challenging. It is recommended to take a little rest before unracking the bar and completing your reps. The muscle-up volume is challenging, but the goal is for 3 reps to be completed consecutively.

Intermediate option:
10 rounds for time of:
5 back squats
1 muscle-up or 3 false-grip chest-to-rings pull-ups

♀ 105-lb barbell
♂ 155-lb barbell

Beginner option:
7 rounds for time:
5 back squats
3 muscle-up transitions

♀ 35-lb barbell
♂ 45-lb barbell

Resources:
The Back Squat
The Kipping Muscle-Up
Low-Ring Muscle-Up Scaling

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Saturday 251011

Extended Helen

5 rounds for time of:
400-meter run
21 kettlebell swings
12 pull-ups

♀ 35 lb
♂ 53 lb

Compare to similar 250625.

Post times to comments.

Stimulus and Strategy:
Helen is a classic benchmark known for being a simple workout that packs a potent punch. Today’s variation extends the effort and tests your stamina with these movements. Can you maintain your standard Helen pace, or does fatigue set in and force you to slow down? The challenge lies in trying to hold the pace you would hold for the 3-round effort. Just like the original workout, complete the swings and pull-ups in 2 sets or fewer. More advanced athletes should aim to maintain unbroken swings and pull-ups for as many sets as possible.

Scaling:
Reduce the load of the kettlebell. Reduce the distance of the run.

To reduce the demands of the pull-ups, consider reducing the reps to 6-8, or complete jumping pull-ups. For the kettlebell swings, reduce the range of motion and perform Russian kettlebell swings.

In case of injury or limitation, for the 400-meter run, perform 900/1,250 meters on the Echo bike or 400/500 meters on the rower. For the kettlebell swings, consider single-arm Russian kettlebell swings or kettlebell deadlifts. For the pull-ups, perform ring rows.

Intermediate option:
5 rounds for time of:
400-meter run
15 kettlebell swings
6 pull-ups

♀ 26 lb
♂ 35 lb

Beginner option:
4 rounds for time of:
200-meter run
15 Russian kettlebell swings
9 jumping pull-ups

♀ 18 lb
♂ 26 lb

Coaching cues:
In the kettlebell swing, tighten the abdominals, glutes, and quads to avoid overextension of the trunk when the kettlebell is in the overhead position.

Resources:
Running | Pulling and Foot Tapping
The Kettlebell Swing
The Kipping Pull-Up
Russian Kettlebell Swing
Jumping Pull-Up Progression

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View the CrossFit map

Thursday 250731

Rest Day

What Are We Really Chasing?

CrossFit's core mission is to develop broad fitness capacity. This mission is often misunderstood, particularly regarding the relationship between health and elite performance. Senior Content Writer for CrossFit, Stephane Rochet, argues elite fitness isn't exclusive to Games competitors but represents the natural outcome of consistent, intense training focused on health across all time and movement domains. This conversation challenges the false dichotomy between health and high performance, suggesting that pursuing anything less than elite fitness essentially means settling for mediocrity.

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Thursday 250724

Rest Day

Scientific Integrity Under Fire: A Point-by-Point Refutation of Misleading CrossFit Research

A recent peer-reviewed article about CrossFit appeared to offer scientific insights into training strategies; however, a closer examination reveals numerous fabricated statistics, misrepresented studies, and unsupported claims regarding injury rates. This systematic analysis exposes over a dozen factual errors that paint an unfairly negative picture of CrossFit's safety profile, echoing past controversies where false data was used to attack CrossFit’s reputation.

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Wednesday 250625

Helen

3 rounds for time of:
Run 400 meters
21 kettlebell swings
12 pull-ups

♀ 35 lb
♂ 53 lb

Post times to comments.

Compare to 240327.

Stimulus and Strategy:
Helen is a classic benchmark known for being a simple workout that packs a potent punch. The rep scheme is intended to allow athletes to perform this workout at a fast pace with unbroken sets and minimal transition time between movements. Advanced athletes can challenge themselves to complete this workout in under 7 minutes.

Scaling:
Reduce the load of the kettlebell. Reduce the distance of the run.

To reduce the demands of the pull-ups, consider reducing the reps to 6-8 or perform jumping pull-ups. For the kettlebell swings, reduce the range of motion and perform Russian kettlebell swings.

Intermediate option:
3 rounds for time of:
Run 400 meters
21 kettlebell swings
6 pull-ups

♀ 26 lb
♂ 35 lb

Beginner option:
3 rounds for time of:
Run 200 meters
15 kettlebell swings
9 jumping pull-ups

♀ 18 lb
♂ 26 lb

Coaching cues:
In the kettlebell swing, tighten the abdominals, glutes, and quads to avoid overextension of the trunk when the kettlebell is in the overhead position.

Resources:
Running | Pulling and Foot Tapping
The Kettlebell Swing
The Kipping Pull-Up
Jumping Pull-Up Progression

Find a gym near you:
View the CrossFit map

Thursday 250619

Rest Day

Burst vs. Sustainable Power: Why CrossFit Trains Both Types of Strength

Can you jump higher than you can sustain a long met-con? If you're crushing your max clean and jerk but dying in Helen, you're experiencing the fascinating divide between burst power and sustainable power — two completely different athletic qualities that require different training approaches. Most people think power is just power, but the truth is far more nuanced. Understanding why your 40-inch vertical jump means nothing if you can't complete Fight Gone Bad will revolutionize how you think about CrossFit programming and why we need both crushing heavy days and lung-burning met-cons to build true, real-world fitness.

Find a gym near you:
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Wednesday 250430

3 rounds for time of:
12 dumbbell squat cleans
24 toes-to-bars
400-meter run

♀ 35-lb dumbbells
♂ 50-lb dumbbells

Post time to comments.

Stimulus and Strategy:
Today’s workout is a 3-round triplet reminiscent of the benchmark workout Helen. Aim to hang on to the dumbbells and go unbroken for as many sets as possible. Unlike Helen, the run is last because it will force you to push the pace on the final round.

Scaling:
Reduce the load of the dumbbells. Reduce the distance of the run.

To reduce the complexity of the squat cleans, perform hang dumbbell squat cleans. For the toes-to-bars, reduce the range of motion by bringing the knees up to the armpits or the chest.

In case of injury or limitation, for the 400-meter run, perform 900/1,250 meters on the Echo bike or 400/500 meters on the rower. For the dumbbell squat cleans, consider single-dumbbell squat cleans, power cleans, or goblet squats. For the toes-to-bars, perform V-ups or sit-ups.

Intermediate option:
3 rounds for time of:
12 dumbbell squat cleans
24 toes-to-bars
400-meter run

♀ 20-lb dumbbells
♂ 35-lb dumbbells

Beginner option:
3 rounds for time of:
12 dumbbell squat cleans
12 hanging knee raises
200-meter run

♀ 10-lb dumbbells
♂ 15-lb dumbbells

Coaching cues:
To increase the cycle time of the dumbbell squat cleans, try keeping your feet in a position where you can both pull off the floor and squat. This will keep you from having to adjust your feet on every rep.

Resources:
The Dumbbell Clean
The Kipping Toes-to-Bar
From the Archives: Running Technique
Hanging Knee Raises

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Saturday 241026

Nancy

5 rounds for time of:
400-meter run
15 overhead squats

♀ 65 lb
♂ 95 lb

Post time to comments.

Compare to 230918.

Scaling:
Today’s workout is a classic CrossFit benchmark. Be sure to look back at your previous score to help you better understand your strategy for today’s effort. Choose a load that allows you to complete most of the overhead squats unbroken. The challenge of this workout is to keep an aggressive pace on each element knowing that neither the lifting nor the running are so demanding on their own that you’ll need extended rests. Advanced athletes should resist the temptation to add load and instead commit to a run pace that’s just a little too hot.

Intermediate option:

5 rounds for time of:
400-meter run
10 overhead squats

♀ 65 lb
♂ 95 lb

Beginner option:

5 rounds for time of:
200-meter run
10 overhead squats

♀ 35 lb
♂ 45 lb

Coaching cues:
Press up into the barbell and rotate your arms so your elbows face the ground. Do not relent on this technique throughout the workout.

Resources:
CAP Tips: Running Position Drill
The Overhead Squat
Workout Tips From 230918 With Adrian Bozman
Find a CrossFit Course Near You

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Tuesday 240723

Guest Programmer - HWPO
July 22-August 4, 2024

4 rounds for time of:
42 double-unders
21 wall-ball shots
12 alternating dumbbell snatches

♀ 14-lb medicine ball to a 9-foot target and 50-lb dumbbell
♂ 20-lb medicine ball to a 10-foot target and 70-lb dumbbell

Post time to comments.

Scaling:
This triplet is inspired by the workout Helen. We’ve got a slightly higher volume than Helen but the level of intensity will match that of the classic benchmark. This workout also has a little twist in that we’re using low volume of double-unders, a normal wall-ball shot weight, volume, and target, but we’re using a heavier floor-to-overhead movement. Although the dumbbell snatch is heavier, the volume should be low enough that athletes can perform the 12 total reps unbroken with just a bit more focus. If you do not have a heavier dumbbell, replace it with a kettlebell.

The limiting factor in this workout will be arm fatigue. This will be most apparent in the double-unders for those who aren’t yet efficient with them, as well as the wall-ball shots since it’s an easier movement to “let up” on.

Remember, the difficulty of the workout is the reason for its existence, so we need to focus on good quality movement despite the fatigue.

GOAL: High-intensity upper-body conditioning

TARGETS:
ADVANCED: 8- to 9-minute time domain
BEGINNER: 9- to 11-minute time domain

Intermediate option:
4 rounds for time of:
24-42 double-unders
21 wall-ball shots
12 alternating dumbbell snatches

♀ 10-lb medicine ball to a 9-foot target and 35-lb dumbbell
♂ 14-lb medicine ball to a 10-foot target and 50-lb dumbbell

Beginner option:
4 rounds for time of:
42 single-unders
15 wall-ball shots
12 alternating dumbbell snatches

♀ 6-lb medicine ball to a 9-foot target and 15-lb dumbbell
♂ 10-lb medicine ball to a 10-foot target and 25-lb dumbbell

Coaching cues:

Frustrated with double-unders? Consider your hand position. Resist the tendency to allow the hands to move away from your body, which shortens the path of the rope and leads to those frustrating trip-ups. Instead, keep your hands in and slightly forward of your body as you relax your shoulders.

Resources:
The Double-Under
The Wall-Ball Shot
The Dumbbell Power Snatch
A History of Helen on CrossFit.com

Find a gym near you:
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Monday 240708

For time:

30 strict ring muscle-ups

Compare to 220603.

Post times to comments.

Scaling:
Today’s workout is a single-modality gymnastics effort. More advanced athletes should challenge their muscular stamina and move through the reps as quickly as possible. Less-experienced athletes who have the capacity to perform a few strict muscle-ups should try to accumulate as many as possible in a 15-minute window. Athletes without the capacity to perform strict muscle-ups should choose modifications that work both pulling and pushing strength (e.g., strict pull-ups, banded strict pull-ups, false-grip ring rows, strict ring dips, and push-ups).

Intermediate option:
Complete as many reps as possible in 15 minutes:

Strict muscle-ups

Beginner option:
10 rounds for time:

3 ring rows
3 push-ups

Coaching cues:
Before you simply skip today, consider this: The muscle-up might be difficult to perform, but it is also unrivaled in building upper-body strength and perhaps most important of all, a critical survival skill.

This movement gets you from under things to on top of them. And when it comes to preparing for the unknown and unknowable, that might be one of the most important adaptations to develop.

Don’t have a muscle-up yet? No problem. Note today’s scaling options and dedicate some time to improving skill and building strength to get there.

Resources:
The Strict Muscle-up
Developing a Muscle-up
The Muscle-up
A New Way to Work Toward Muscle-ups

Find a gym near you:
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Wednesday 240327

Helen

3 rounds for time of:
Run 400 meters
21 kettlebell swings
12 pull-ups

♀ 35 lb
♂ 53 lb

Compare to 230802.

Post times to comments.

Scaling:
This benchmark workout was first posted on CrossFit.com on Aug. 9, 2003. Helen is meant to be an all-out sprint. Most athletes can aim to complete the swings and pull-ups unbroken. If you anticipate breaking either movement more than once or twice, reduce the weight of the kettlebell and consider jumping pull-ups.

Intermediate option:
Same as Rx’d

Beginner option:
3 rounds for time of:
Run 200 meters
15 kettlebell swings
9 jumping pull-ups

♀ 18 lb
♂ 26 lb

Resources:
The Kettlebell Swing
The Butterfly Pull-up
The Kipping Pull-up
CrossFit Benchmark Workout Helen at CrossFit Fortius

Find a gym near you:
View the CrossFit map

Featured photo:
Taken by Tai Randall during Open Workout 24.3 at CrossFit Tradition in Port Saint Lucie, Florida.

Monday 230918

Nancy
5 rounds for time of:
Run 400 meters
15 overhead squats

♀ 65 lb ♂ 95 lb

Helen
3 rounds for time of:
Run 400 meters
21 kettlebell swings
12 pull-ups

♀ 16-kg KB ♂ 24-kg KB

Default to Nancy, a classic CrossFit workout. CAP affiliates will be doing Helen today. If you have not completed Helen recently, give it a shot.

Log Helen scores to the CrossFit App. Post workout and time to comments.
Compare to 230626 or 230802.

Scaling:
Nancy: Choose a load that allows you to complete most of the OHS unbroken. The challenge of this workout is to keep an aggressive pace on each element knowing that neither the lifting nor the running are so demanding on their own that you’ll need extended rests. Advanced athletes should resist the temptation to add load and instead commit to a run pace that’s just a little too hot.

Helen: Most athletes should aim to complete the swings and pull-ups unbroken. If you anticipate needing to break either movement more than one or two times, reduce the weight of the swings and consider completing ring rows instead of pull-ups. If you can complete Helen in less than 8 minutes, consider trying Helena from this year’s Games.

Sunday 230806

Rest Day

Wednesday 230802

Helen

3 rounds for time of:
Run 400 meters
21 kettlebell swings
12 pull-ups

♀ 16-kg KB ♂ 24-kg KB

Record scores to the CrossFit App.
Compare 210726.

Scaling:
This benchmark workout is an all-out sprint. The swings and pull-ups should be easy enough that you are still able to push the pace on the runs. Intermediate athletes can complete this as prescribed.

Beginner Option:
3 rounds for time of:
Run 200 meters
15 kettlebell swings
9 jumping pull-ups

♀ 8-kg KB ♂ 12-kg KB

Monday 220509

Helen
3 rounds for time of:
Run 400 meters
21 kettlebell swings
12 pull-ups

♀ 16-kg KB ♂ 24-kg KB

Post time to comments.
Compare 210726.

Beginner Option:
3 rounds for time of:
Run 200 meters
15 kettlebell swings
9 jumping pull-ups

Monday 211220

Pyramid Double Helen
For time:

Run 1,200 meters
63 kettlebell swing
36 pull-ups
Run 800 meters
42 kettlebell swings
24 pull-ups
Run 400 meters
21 kettlebell swings
12 pull-ups

♀ 16-kg KB ♂ 24-kg KB

Post time to comments.
Compare to 200820.

Scaling:
Reduce the load on the kettlebell and modify the movements in order to complete the workout in 20 minutes or less.

Intermediate Option: For time:
Run 1,200 meters
45 kettlebell swing
27 pull-ups
Run 800 meters
30 kettlebell swings
18 pull-ups
Run 400 meters
15 kettlebell swings
9 pull-ups

♀ 16-kg KB ♂ 24-kg KB

Beginner Option:
3 rounds for time of:
Run 400 meters
15 kettlebell swings
9 jumping pull-ups

♀ 8-kg KB ♂ 12-kg KB

Monday 210726

Helen
3 rounds for time of:

Run 400 meters
21 kettlebell swings
12 pull-ups

♀ 16-kg KB ♂ 24-kg KB

Post time to comments.
Compare 200325.

Scaling
This benchmark workout is an all out sprint. The swings and pull-ups should be easy enough that you are still able to push the pace on the runs. Intermediate athletes can complete this as prescribed.

Beginner Option
3 rounds for time of:
Run 200 meters
15 kettlebell swings
9 jumping pull-ups

♀ 8-kg KB ♂ 12-kg KB

Thursday 200820

Pyramid Double Helen

For time:
Run 1,200 meters
63 kettlebell swing
36 pull-ups
Run 800 meters
42 kettlebell swings
24 pull-ups
Run 400 meters
21 kettlebell swings
12 pull-ups

♀ 16-kg KB ♂ 24-kg KB

Post time to comments.
Compare to 100719.

Wednesday 200325

Helen

3 rounds for time of:

Run 400 meters
21 kettlebell swings
12 pull-ups

♀ 16-kg KB ♂ 24-kg KB

Post time to comments. | Compare 180515.

Saturday 180804

For time:
30 muscle-ups

Scroll for scaling options.
Post time to comments.

Compare to 180203.

Related:
• The Strict Muscle-Up
• Read: The Muscle-Up
• Read: Next-Level Coaching: Muscle-Ups

Scaling
Although this workout will be very short for advanced athletes, beginner and intermediate athletes should not worry about finishing quickly. Instead, scaling athletes should pick a modification that offers an opportunity to practice the muscle-up and improve strength and skill. If you’re currently nowhere near a muscle-up, work on a pulling exercise and a pushing exercise.

Intermediate Option
Complete as many muscle-ups as possible in 15 minutes.
Then,
Complete as many rounds as possible in 5 minutes of:
5 strict pull-ups
5 ring dips

Beginner Option
Complete as many rounds as possible in 15 minutes of:
5 ring rows, using a false grip
5 jumping dips, slowing the descent

Tuesday 180515

Helen
3 rounds for time of:
Run 400 meters
21 kettlebell swings
12 pull-ups

Men: 1.5-pood kettlebell
Women: 1-pood kettlebell

Scroll for scaling options.
Post time to comments.

Compare 170108.

Beginner Option
3 rounds for time of:
Run 200 meters
15 kettlebell swings
9 jumping pull-ups

Men: 1-pood kettlebell
Women: 12-kg kettlebell

Thursday 180301

Double Helen
3 rounds for time of:
Run 800 meters
42 kettlebell swings
24 pull-ups

Men: 1.5-pood kettlebell
Women: 1-pood kettlebell

Scroll for scaling options.
Post time to comments.

Scaling
Helen is a sprint. Double Helen is still a hard push but will require some short breaks for most people. Push the runs and reduce the reps and kettlebell weight to keep a steady pace.

Intermediate Option
3 rounds for time of:
Run 800 meters
30 kettlebell swings
18 pull-ups

Men: 1.5-pood kettlebell
Women: 1-pood kettlebell

Beginner Option
3 rounds for time of:
Run 600 meters
24 kettlebell swings
15 ring rows

Men: 12-kg kettlebell
Women: 8-kg kettlebell

Saturday 180203

For time:
30 muscle-ups

Scroll for scaling options.
Post time to comments.
Compare to 110401.

Intermediate Option
Complete as many muscle-ups as possible in 15 minutes.
Then,
Complete as many rounds as possible in 5 minutes of:
5 strict pull-ups
5 ring dips

Beginner Option
Complete as many rounds as possible in 15 minutes of:
5 ring rows, using a false grip
5 jumping dips, slowing the descent