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.
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.
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
Scaling:
Welcome to the third workout of the 2024 CrossFit Games Quarterfinals! This workout challenges upper-body gymnastics endurance and stamina. While push-pull combos usually feel complementary, expect shoulder fatigue from the different handstand push-up variations to make the rope climbs and muscle-ups significantly more challenging. To find success in this workout, break up each movement into smaller sets than you need to unless you're an elite-level competitor. Advanced athletes should perform large sets early, but not at the expense of staying consistent during the muscle-ups at the end. Beginner athletes should treat this workout like a 15-minute AMRAP. Move smoothly through the first 10 minutes, then push hard to finish faster in the final 5 minutes. This should allow most athletes to stay consistent and avoid burning out toward the end.
Resources:
The Kipping Handstand Push-up
The Kipping Toes-to-bar
The Strict Handstand Push-up
Handstand Push-up Variations
The Rope Climb: Wrapping
The Rope Climb: Basket
The Kipping Muscle-up
The Push-up
The Dumbbell Push Press
The Modified Rope Climb
Muscle-up Progression on Low Rings
Find a gym near you:
View the CrossFit map
Featured photo:
2022 CrossFit Games Mock Affiliate