Diane
21-15-9 reps for time of:
Deadlifts
Handstand push-ups
♀ 155 lb ♂ 225 lb
Post time in comments.
Compare to 200602.
Scaling:
Experienced athletes should shoot for a PR on today’s benchmark workout. Newer athletes should reduce the load and modify the handstand push-ups in order to minimize rest and keep intensity high.
Beginner Option:
21-15-9 reps for time of:
Deadlifts
Assisted push-ups
Every 6 minutes for 3 sets complete:
21-15-9 reps
Echo-bike calories
Kettlebell goblet squats
♀ 24 kg
♂ 32 kg
Post your total time of all 3 sets combined to comments.
Goal: Get comfortable with the burn and increase your threshold as a result. Aim for 4-5 minutes to complete each set.
To be successful in this workout, aim for high intensity with some level of consistency in all three intervals. This will be difficult but a little bit of discipline goes a long way.
High intensity is the goal but not maximal intensity. Keep some in the tank and give it everything you’ve got on the last one.
Equipment matters — the effort on the Assault or Echo bike will change the stimulus of this workout when compared to a bike erg.
More experienced athletes can work closer to their thresholds with less rest than beginner athletes. Beginner athletes should finish BEFORE advanced athletes without exceeding their capacities. This means a beginner athlete should have a LOWER RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) than an advanced athlete in the first intervals since beginners will not have their recovery capacities as high and trained as the more advanced athlete.
I tested this workout and found that it was possible to keep the pace up so long as I didn’t push the squats. I was using a bike erg and was faced with the realization that the 21 and 21 took almost half the time, but staying composed allowed me to hit the goal and finish as hard as I could on the last interval.
Scaling:
Intermediate option:
Every 6 minutes for 3 sets complete:
18-15-9 reps
Echo-bike calories
Kettlebell goblet squats
♀ 16 kg
♂ 24 kg
Aim to complete the work around the 4-minute mark to allow for enough rest to repeat the next interval at high intensity.
Beginner option:
Every 6 minutes for 3 sets complete:
12-9-6 reps
Echo-bike calories
Air squats
Beginners will be pushed out of their comfort zone with the level of intensity we want to achieve. Aim to complete the work in 4 minutes to get 2 minutes of rest.
Continue until time expires, adding 3 handstand push-ups each round and 3 overhead squats every 3 rounds.
♀ 105 lb ♂ 155 lb
Scaling:
Today’s movement combo will tax your overhead position. Reduce the reps on the handstand push-ups and/or reduce the load on the barbell in order to work through the earlier rounds with minimal rest.
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.
Annie
50-40-30-20-10 reps for time of:
Double-unders
Sit-ups
OR
Gymnasty Annie
For time:
50 double-unders
50 sit-ups
5 presses to handstand
40 double-unders
40 sit-ups
4 presses to handstand
30 double-unders
30 sit-ups
3 presses to handstand
20 double-unders
20 sit-ups
2 presses to handstand
10 double-unders
10 sit-ups
1 presses to handstand
Share your choice of workout and time in comments.
Scaling:
Gymnasty Annie is another new benchmark and involves a high-skill gymnastics piece: the straddle press to handstand. The original Annie workout is meant to be performed at high speed. Choose that option today if you have not yet performed this benchmark. Modify the double-unders if you are not yet proficient, and reduce the sit-up reps so each round is challenging but manageable.
Intermediate Option:
For time:
50 double-unders
50 sit-ups
5 assisted presses to handstand
40 double-unders
40 sit-ups
4 assisted presses to handstand
30 double-unders
30 sit-ups
3 assisted presses to handstand
20 double-unders
20 sit-ups
2 assisted presses to handstand
10 double-unders
10 sit-ups
1 assisted presses to handstand
Beginner Option:
40-30-20-10 reps for time of:
Single-unders
Sit-ups