Workout Description
AMRAP in 5 minutes
9 Handstand Push-Ups
6 Burpees
3 Snatches (165/115 lb)
Why This Workout Is Hard
A short, five-minute AMRAP with high-skill gymnastics and a heavy Olympic lift creates a demanding blend. Expected output around 2.5–3 rounds keeps density modest, but complexity is high (HSPU and snatch) and the clock forces a hard push. Using the framework: low density, high complexity, and strong time-domain score yield a mid-50s base—solidly Hard for most athletes.
Training Focus
This workout develops the following fitness attributes:
- Power (8/10): Snatches reward explosive hip extension and sharp turnover. The short time frame emphasizes high power output over grinding repetitions.
- Speed (7/10): Quick transitions and fast barbell singles are key. Efficient kipping and tight standards maintain a high cadence throughout the five minutes.
- Stamina (6/10): Repeated pressing and midline demand from HSPU and burpees, plus barbell volume across rounds, tax muscular endurance. Smart sets and brief rests preserve output.
- Strength (6/10): The 165/115 snatch is heavy for many and requires solid pulling and receiving strength under fatigue, though not a maximal effort lift.
- Endurance (4/10): Short, high-intensity effort stresses anaerobic capacity more than long aerobic work. You’ll breathe hard and stay redlined, but it isn’t sustained steady-state cardio.
- Flexibility (4/10): Overhead mobility and thoracic extension support safe, efficient HSPU and snatching. Limited range slows cycle time and increases energy cost, though demands aren’t extreme.
Movements
- Handstand Push-Up
- Burpee
- Snatch
Scaling Options
Scale to: Box Pike Handstand Push-Ups or 1–2 AbMats • Up-Downs instead of Burpees • Snatch at 95/65 lb (or a load you can hit as fast singles)
Scaling Explanation
These options preserve the movement patterns and sprint feel while adjusting skill and load so you can keep moving continuously for five minutes.
Intended Stimulus
Fast and intense from the start. Aim for steady, sustainable sets on HSPU, smooth burpees without redlining, and crisp snatch singles with immediate re-grip. Transitions should be quick but controlled. You should finish breathless, with forearms and shoulders taxed, yet never miss multiple snatches due to rushing.
Coach Insight
Pace the first 90 seconds at 90–95% so you can finish strong. Break HSPU early (e.g., 6-3) to avoid failure.
Most important: Commit to fast snatch singles—drop, step to bar, hands on, lift. No wandering.
Common mistakes: Opening HSPU unbroken then cratering, sloppy burpee standards, and camping out before snatches. Keep moving.
Benchmark Notes
This is a 5-minute AMRAP with 9 Handstand Push-Ups, 6 Burpees, and 3 Snatches at 165/115 lb. Each round totals 18 reps. I'll analyze this movement by movement:
Handstand Push-Ups (9 reps): These are highly demanding, especially in a fatigued state. Fresh time ~2-4 sec per rep = 18-36 sec per round. In rounds 3+ with fatigue, expect 4-8 sec per rep = 36-72 sec.
Burpees (6 reps): Standard burpees take 3-4 sec each when fresh = 18-24 sec per round. With fatigue in later rounds, expect 4-6 sec each = 24-36 sec.
Snatches at 165/115 lb (3 reps): This is a heavy load for most athletes. Elite athletes might manage 3-4 sec per rep when fresh = 9-12 sec, but most will need 5-8 sec per rep = 15-24 sec. In later rounds with grip fatigue and CNS fatigue, expect 8-15 sec per rep.
Transitions: Between movements, expect 3-8 sec for equipment changes and setup.
Round timing analysis:
Round 1 (fresh): 45-80 sec
Round 2: 50-90 sec (slight fatigue)
Round 3: 60-110 sec (significant fatigue, especially HSPUs)
Round 4: 75-130 sec (major breakdown in complex movements)
Round 5+: 90-150+ sec (if achievable)
The heavy snatch load and demanding handstand push-ups will cause significant fatigue. Most athletes will see major slowdown after round 2.
Using Cindy (AMRAP 20: 5 pull-up + 10 push-up + 15 air squat) as a reference anchor where L10 achieves 25-30 rounds, L5 achieves 15-18 rounds, and L1 achieves 6-8 rounds over 20 minutes. This workout is much shorter (5 min vs 20 min) but significantly more demanding per round due to heavy snatches and handstand push-ups.
Scaling from Cindy: In 5 minutes (25% of Cindy's time), but with much higher intensity movements, I expect:
- Elite athletes (L10): 10+ rounds = 180+ reps
- Advanced athletes (L8-L9): 8-9 rounds = 144-162 reps
- Intermediate athletes (L5-L6): 6-7 rounds = 108-126 reps
- Novice athletes (L2-L3): 3-4 rounds = 54-72 reps
- Beginners (L1): 2 rounds = 36 reps
Final targets: L10: 180+ reps, L5: 108 reps, L1: 36 reps
Modality Profile
Two of the three movements (HSPU and burpees) are gymnastics and will likely consume most time, while the heavy snatch accounts for the rest. No monostructural component is present, so the blend skews toward gymnastics with a significant weightlifting element.
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