Here are the top 5 workouts we think deserve to be labelled as hard. Or worse. They are, in our opinion, brutal CrossFit workouts.
Why are hard MetCons so attractive?
Many athletes perceive strenuous exercise as threatening, but at the same time extremely exciting. Before workouts, we usually enter the so-called fight-or-flight mode, which is fuelled by adrenaline (also known as epinephrine) and other stress hormones.
It’s similar to how we feel about other extreme, adrenaline sports: a pinch of doubt and a curiosity “Can I make it?”. Completing a hard workout is a goal, and achieving it is a form of reward-seeking behaviour which generates feelings of satisfaction, excitement, confidence and make us feel alive.
Related: Mat Fraser’s Hardest Workout
Source: Courtesy of CrossFit Inc.5 Brutal CrossFit Workouts
So if you’re an advanced athlete who needs some adrenaline rush, try one of these:
1. The Iron Triathlon
Warning: Done by Jason Khalipa and Dan Bailey.
1-20 reps of Linda:
for time
- Deadlift 1.5xBW
- Bench Press 1xBW
- Squat Clean 0.75xBW
2. Legless from CrossFit Games 2013
Warning: Everything needs to be legless – even descending from the rope!
For time:
- 27 Thrusters 43/30 kg
- 4 legless rope climbs
- 21 Thrusters 43/30 kg
- 3 legless rope climbs
- 15 Thrusters 43/30 kg
- 2 legless rope climbs
- 9 Thrusters 43/30 kg
- 1 legless rope climb
3. King Kong
3 rounds for time:
- 1x Deadlift 206/147 kg
- 2x Muscle-up
- 3x Squat clean 113/70 kg
- 4x Handstand push-up
Sam Briggs and Sam Dancer
4. Grace with 102 kg by Rich Froning
for time:
- 30x Clean & Jerk
5. The Don
For time:
- 66 Deadlifts, 50 kg
- 66 Box jump, 60 cm
- 66 Kettlebell swings, 1.5 pood (24 kg)
- 66 Knees to elbows
- 66 Sit-ups
- 66 Pull-ups
- 66 Thrusters, 30 kg
- 66 Wall ball shots, 9 kg
- 66 Burpees
- 66 Double-unders
Source: CrossFit, CrossFit Games
We saved the best for last, probably. Have you heard of Kalsu?
Image Sources
- CrossFit athlete: Courtesy of CrossFit Inc.