Friday 221125

Thursday 220616

Thursday 220616

On a Concept2 rower:

Pull a sub-1:25/500-m pace for as long as possible
Rest 3 minutes
Pull a sub-1:30/500-m pace for as long as possible
Rest 3 minutes
Pull a sub-1:35/500-m pace for as long as possible
Rest 3 minutes
Pull a sub-1:30/500-m pace for as long as possible
Rest 3 minutes
Pull a sub-1:25/500-m pace for as long as possible

Post time maintained at each pace to comments. Scale split times as needed. Compare to 160613.

Scaling:
Approach these intervals as max efforts. Choose a beginning pace on the rower that you are able to maintain for a minimum of 10 seconds.

Intermediate Option:
On the Concept2 rower:
Pull a sub-1:35/500-m pace for as long as possible
Rest 3 minutes
Pull a sub-1:40/500-m pace for as long as possible
Rest 3 minutes
Pull a sub-1:45/500-m pace for as long as possible
Rest 3 minutes
Pull a sub-1:40/500-m pace for as long as possible
Rest 3 minutes
Pull a sub-1:35/500-m pace for as long as possible

Beginner Option:
On the C2 rower:
Pull a sub-1:55/500-m pace for as long as possible
Rest 3 minutes
Pull a sub-2:00/500-m pace for as long as possible
Rest 3 minutes
Pull a sub-2:05/500-m pace for as long as possible
Rest 3 minutes
Pull a sub-2:00/500-m pace for as long as possible

Monday 240513

Monday 240513

Freestanding handstand push-up practice

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.

Thursday 240418

Thursday 240418

Quarterfinals Workout 1

4 rounds for max reps:
1 minute of snatches
1 minute of rowing for calories
1 minute of dumbbell box step-ups
1 minute of rest

♀ 85-lb barbell and 35-lb dumbbells to a 20-inch box
♂ 135 lb barbell and 50-lb dumbbells to a 20-inch box

Post total reps to comments.

Scaling:
Welcome to the first workout of the 2024 CrossFit Games Quarterfinals! Today's workout is a gut check. How bad do you want to push for another rep? None of the movements should be overly difficult or too heavy, so there is no reason to stop moving. The barbell should feel on the lighter side of moderate. You should be able to perform touch-and-go reps, however, under fatigue, you may choose to perform fast singles to keep moving.

Choose a pace on the rower that is fast relative to your capacity but still allows you to get right to work on the dumbbell box step-ups. Your goal on the dumbbell box step-ups is to hold onto the dumbbells until the minute is up. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

Remember, there is no rest between movements, so accumulate as many reps as possible of each movement but leave time to transition to the next. Plan to stop with 5-10 seconds left in the minute to transition for all of the movements except the dumbbell box step-ups. During the minute of rest, try to control your breathing by taking deep breaths in through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. If you are not signed up for the Quarterfinals, choose loads that challenge your ability but allow you to keep moving and hit the workout stimulus.

Intermediate option:
4 rounds for max reps:
1 minute of snatches
1 minute of rowing for calories
1 minute of dumbbell box step-ups
1 minute of rest

♀ 75-lb barbell and 20-lb dumbbells to a 20-inch box
♂ 115-lb barbell and 35-lb dumbbells to a 20-inch box

Beginner option:
4 rounds for max reps:
1 minute of snatches
1 minute of rowing for calories
1 minute of dumbbell box step-ups
1 minute of rest

♀ 35-lb barbell and 10-lb dumbbells to a 12-inch box
♂ 45-lb barbell and 15-lb dumbbells to a 20-inch box

Resources:
The Snatch
Rowing Technique
The Box Step-up

Find a gym near you:
View the CrossFit map

Featured photo:
Taken by Charlotte Foerschler at CrossFit Canvas in Caldwell, Idaho.

Friday 240517

Friday 240517

Every minute on the minute for as long as possible:

3 burpees
7 chest-to-bar pull-ups
11 wall-ball shots

♀ 14-lb ball to a 9-foot target
♂ 20-lb ball to a 10-foot target

Your workout is over when you fail to complete the work within the minute or at the 15-minute mark.

Post final minute completed successfully to comments.

Scaling:
Today is a mental grind. How deep are you willing to go into the pain cave? Can you keep moving even though your mind is telling you to quit? This workout will help you answer these questions. The goal is to finish all 21 reps in 40-59 seconds and hang on for as many rounds as possible. If you are unable to perform the required repetitions within the minute, your workout is over. If you can make it through 15 sets, congratulations, and do not go any further. Hitting this workout as prescribed is tempting, but consider scaling the movements to finish at least 7 sets. Stay mentally strong and good luck.

Intermediate option:
Every minute on the minute for as long as possible:

3 burpees
5 chin-over-bar pull-ups
11 wall-ball shots

♀ 10-lb ball to a 9-foot target
♂ 14-lb ball to a 10-foot target

Your workout is over when you fail to complete the work within the minute or at the 15-minute mark.

Beginner option:
Every minute on the minute for as long as possible:

3 burpees
5 ring rows
7 wall-ball shots

♀ 6-lb ball to a 9-foot target
♂ 10-lb ball to a 10-foot target

Your workout is over when you fail to complete the work within the minute or at the 10-minute mark.

Resources:
The Burpee
The Chest-to-bar Pull-up
The Wall-Ball Shot
The Kipping Pull-up
The Ring Row

Find a gym near you:
View the CrossFit map

Semifinals Are Back!
The live CrossFit Semifinals are happening for the next three weekends. Read: "How To Watch the 2024 CrossFit Semifinals"

Featured photo:
Taken by Nicolás Glenny at CrossFit Coraje in Madrid, Spain.