Scaling:
Newer athletes may benefit from practicing progressions to understand the timing of the movement. For more instruction, review “The Power of Progression, Part 1: Push Jerk.” Ideally, each set will be as heavy as possible for 3 reps, but newer athletes should start light and slowly add weight as they are comfortable.
Spend 15-20 minutes practicing the following progression:
Headstand
Headstand with knees to chest
From the headstand position, kick upward to a handstand and hold
Kick to a handstand, hold, and lower back to a headstand
Multiple freestanding handstand push-ups
Rest at least 10 minutes, then perform:
As many rounds and reps as possible in 10 minutes of:
35 double-unders
5 freestanding handstand push-ups
Post rounds and reps to comments.
Scaling:
The goal today is to build confidence in a gymnastics movement and develop a better understanding of your body in space. This is an opportunity to practice complex skills in a low-intensity environment.
Setup and execution:
*Perform all stages of the progression about 1 foot off a wall. Consider using an AbMat for your head. Even though the wall is there, the goal is to use it only if you lose balance or control. Remember, we are working on a freestanding handstand and handstand push-up.
Headstand | Start in a frog stand and extend both legs above your body. Your head and hands will still be on the ground in the tripod position.
Headstand with knees to chest | While in a headstand, slowly bring your knees to your chest and then extend them back above your body.
Kick to a handstand | While in a headstand, bring your knees toward your chest in a controlled fashion. While extending your legs, think about driving your heels to the sky — this will build momentum. Then press with your arms to complete the freestanding handstand.
Kick to a handstand, hold, and lower back to headstand | If you cannot yet hold a freestanding handstand, use the wall for assistance. Once you kick up, hold for a second or two, then slowly bring your head back down to a headstand. Achieve this by bringing your head in front of your hands, and allow the feet/legs to have a slight backward lean to counterbalance. This can be completed with one or both legs on the wall for assistance.
Multiple freestanding handstand push-ups | Once you have successfully made it back to the headstand, attempt another rep.
Modifications:
Go as far as you can in the progression and stop when it becomes challenging. Over time, progress to the full movement as you develop the skills.
Intermediate option:
Spend 15-20 minutes practicing the following progression:
Headstand
Headstand with knees to chest
From the headstand position, kick upward to a handstand and hold
Kick to a handstand, hold, and lower back to a headstand
Multiple handstand push-ups
Rest at least 10 minutes, then perform:
As many rounds and reps as possible in 10 minutes of:
35 double-unders
5 handstand push-ups
*Perform all stages of the progression a few inches off a wall. Consider using an AbMat for your head. The goal is to kick up and back to a headstand against the wall. If you are confident with this, try the freestanding variation.
Beginner option:
Spend 15-20 minutes practicing the following progression:
Inchworm
Pike headstand
Pike handstand hold
Pike push-up negative
Multiple pike push-ups
Rest at least 10 minutes, then perform:
As many rounds and reps as possible in 10 minutes of:
35 single-unders
5 pike push-ups
*Perform all stages of the progression in the middle of an open floor. Consider using an AbMat for your head. To make the pike position easier, keep your feet away from your hands. The closer the feet are to the hands, the more difficult the movement will be. The goal is to practice loading as much bodyweight as possible onto the hands, and to build confidence getting upside down. If you are confident with this progression, try the intermediate variation.
Resources:
The Freestanding Handstand Push-up
The Handstand
The Kipping Handstand Push-up
Handstand Push-up Variations
The Double-under
Find a gym near you:
View the CrossFit map
Featured photo:
Taken by Charlotte Foerschler at Destination Defender in Somerville, Texas.
Scaling:
Newer athletes may benefit from practicing progressions to understand the timing of the movement. For more instruction, review “The Power of Progression, Part 1: Push Jerk.” Ideally, each set will be as heavy as possible for 3 reps, but newer athletes should start light and slowly add weight as they are comfortable.
Complete as many reps as possible in 10 minutes of:
10 clean and jerks, weight 1
Rest 1 minute
10 clean and jerks, weight 2
Rest 1 minute
10 clean and jerks, weight 3
Rest 1 minute
Max-reps clean and jerks in time remaining, weight 4.
♀ 85/125/155/165 lb
♂ 135/185/225/245 lb
Post total reps to comments.
Scaling:
Welcome to the fourth and final workout of the 2024 CrossFit Games Quarterfinals! Today's workout is a clean-and-jerk ladder with ascending weights. This is a barbell stamina and conditioning test. The barbell load starts on the lighter side of moderate and builds its way up to relatively heavy. The first barbell should be a weight with which you can perform some touch-and-go reps, while the next three will require a bit more strategy. Consider performing fast singles with minimal rest between reps. If you are not signed up for the Quarterfinals, choose loads that challenge your ability but allow you to complete the reps at the first and second barbell. The third barbell should be tough to get through, and any reps with the fourth barbell should be considered a bonus.
Intermediate option:
Complete as many reps as possible in 10 minutes of:
10 clean and jerks, weight 1
Rest 1 minute
10 clean and jerks, weight 2
Rest 1 minute
10 clean and jerks, weight 3
Rest 1 minute
Max-reps clean and jerks in time remaining, weight 4.
♀ 75/95/115/125 lb
♂ 115/135/155/185 lb
Beginner option:
Complete as many reps as possible in 10 minutes of:
10 clean and jerks, weight 1
Rest 1 minute
10 clean and jerks, weight 2
Rest 1 minute
10 clean and jerks, weight 3
Rest 1 minute
Max-reps clean and jerks in time remaining, weight 4.
♀ 35/45/55/65 lb
♂ 45/55/65/75 lb
Resources:
The Clean and Jerk
The Power Clean and Push Jerk
Find a gym near you:
View the CrossFit map
Featured photo:
Taken by Peter Pan at CrossFit CSTL in Hong Kong, China.
Guest Programmer – Rob Lawson
April 30-May 12, 2024
Every minute on the minute for 20 minutes:
Minutes 1-5, use a light weight to complete:
1 snatch pull
1 hang power snatch
1 overhead squat
Minutes 6-10, use a light weight to complete:
1 snatch pull
1 low-hang snatch
Minutes 11-20, increase the load if movement is sound and complete:
1 snatch pull
1 squat snatch
Post takeaways and loads to comments.
Scaling:
The goal today is to build confidence in the snatch.
Every minute starts with a snatch pull to practice:
- A solid setup position.
- Hips and shoulders rising at the same time.
- Reaching full hip and knee extension before shrugging.
In minutes 1-5, concentrate on full hip extension. We are receiving the barbell high in the power snatch position (as opposed to the squat snatch), and then practicing a deeper receiving position with the overhead squat. The goal is for the skills of this complex to transfer over to the later minutes in this workout.
In minutes 6-10, start from the low hang and try to receive the bar in a squat. We may add a little weight, but stick to the same weight for the full 5 minutes; the opportunity to increase weight will come in the next 10 minutes. Focus on being patient, keeping the chest/shoulders on top of the bar, and jumping before using the arms to pull under.
In minutes 11-20, snatch from the floor. Focus on a sound setup position, and hips and shoulders rising at the same time before accelerating and extending the hips when the bar reaches mid-thigh — patience will be necessary to stay over the bar to reach this position. All the coaching points and practice from the previous work comes together to finish with a full squat snatch.
If you’re moving well, add weight through the last 10 minutes, but the goal is to have no missed lifts. Do not sacrifice form for load.
Intermediate option:
Same as Rx’d
Beginner option:
Same as Rx’d
Resources:
The Snatch
The Hang Power Snatch
The Overhead Squat
Learn More About Guest Programming
Find a gym near you:
View the CrossFit map
Featured photo:
Level 1 Seminar at The Ranch in Aromas, California.