Workout Description

3 Rounds for Time 40 Kettlebell Swings (53/35 lb) 40 Box Jumps (24/20 in) 40 Clusters (65/45 lb) 40 Elevated Push-Ups (feet on 24/18 in box)

Why This Workout Is Hard

Huge volume (480 total reps) with 240 loaded reps (kettlebell swings and clusters) and long effort in the 30–40 minute window makes this a grind. Movement complexity averages moderate-high due to the cluster. Work density is modest per minute, but the heavy-volume modifier applies, pushing it into the Hard range for most athletes.

Benchmark Times for Chris Kyle

  • Elite: <27:00
  • Advanced: 29:00-31:00
  • Intermediate: 33:00-35:00
  • Beginner: >45:00

Training Focus

This workout develops the following fitness attributes:

  • Stamina (9/10): Four big sets per round and three rounds (480 reps) require repeated submaximal efforts, especially for shoulders, grip, and legs under fatigue.
  • Power (7/10): Explosive hip drive in swings and box jumps plus aggressive leg drive in clusters reward powerful, crisp reps.
  • Endurance (6/10): Sustained, continuous effort with minimal true recovery for 30–40 minutes taxes aerobic capacity, but mixed modalities prevent it from feeling purely monostructural cardio.
  • Speed (4/10): High volume and fatigue cap pure speed; fast cycling helps, but the workout favors steadiness over sprinting.
  • Strength (3/10): Loads are light-to-moderate; strength limits are rarely the bottleneck compared to volume and fatigue management.
  • Flexibility (2/10): Standard ranges of motion—hip extension, squat depth, and overhead lockout—are required but not extreme mobility feats.

Movements

  • Kettlebell Swing
  • Elevated Push-Up
  • Cluster
  • Box Jump

Scaling Options

Scale to: 30 reps per station (3 rounds) • KB 35/26 lb and clusters 45/35 lb; box 20/16 in • Push-ups from floor or hands-elevated on a box instead of feet-elevated

Scaling Explanation

These options preserve the movement pattern and stimulus while reducing total volume and relative loading so athletes can keep moving with safe, repeatable reps.

Intended Stimulus

A long, grindy for-time effort. Pace each movement with sustainable sets and short breaks so you can keep moving. Grip and shoulders should feel taxed but not blown up in round one. Aim for consistent round splits, steady breathing, and minimal no-reps. You should finish tired but able to hold form to the end.

Coach Insight

Pace early. Break the 40s before you have to. Think 20-10-10 or 15-15-10 to keep movement quality high. The one tip: Protect your grip. Relax on the backswing and use hook grip on clusters to save forearms. Avoid sprinting box jumps and clusters in round one. Big early spikes lead to long, costly rests later.

Benchmark Notes

Finish time separates levels. Beginners should aim to beat the cap. Intermediate athletes around 35 minutes. Advanced and elite push sub-31 and sub-27, respectively, by managing sets, minimizing rest, and keeping transitions tight.

Modality Profile

Most time is spent on weightlifting elements: clusters and kettlebell swings (~70%). Gymnastics covers box jumps and elevated push-ups (~30%). There is no monostructural element like running or rowing.

Similar Workouts to Chris Kyle

If you enjoy Chris Kyle, you might also like these similar CrossFit WODs:

  • Granite Mile (89% similar) - 4 Rounds for Time 10 Tire Flips 100 meter Farmer's Carry (2x25 lb) 10 Push-Ups 100 meter Farmer's Ca...
  • Brian Moore (88% similar) - 25 Rounds For Time 5 Hang Power Cleans (135/95 lb) 5 Front Squats (135/95 lb) 4 Shoulder-to-Overhead...
  • Burptacular (88% similar) - 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 Reps For Time Burpees Kettlebell Thrusters (32/20 kg) Burpees Kettlebell Sumo D...
  • Carse (88% similar) - 21-18-15-12-9-6-3 Reps for Time Squat Cleans (95/65 lb) Double-Unders Deadlifts (185/135 lb) Box Jum...
  • Erin (88% similar) - 5 Rounds For Time 15 Dumbbell Split Cleans (40/30 lb) 21 Pull-Ups...
  • The 300 (88% similar) - For Time 25 Pull-Ups 50 Deadlifts (135/95 lb) 50 Push-Ups 50 Box Jumps (24/20 in) 50 Floor Wipers (1...
  • Andi (88% similar) - For Time 100 Hang Power Snatches (75/55 lb) 100 Push Presses (75/55 lb) 100 Sumo Deadlift High-Pulls...
  • Crain (88% similar) - 2 Rounds For Time 34 Push-Ups 50 yard Sprint 34 Deadlifts (135/95 lb) 50 yard Sprint 34 Box Jumps (2...

These WODs similar to Chris Kyle share comparable training demands, time domains, and movement patterns.

Training Profile

AttributeScoreExplanation
Endurance6/10Sustained, continuous effort with minimal true recovery for 30–40 minutes taxes aerobic capacity, but mixed modalities prevent it from feeling purely monostructural cardio.
Stamina9/10Four big sets per round and three rounds (480 reps) require repeated submaximal efforts, especially for shoulders, grip, and legs under fatigue.
Strength3/10Loads are light-to-moderate; strength limits are rarely the bottleneck compared to volume and fatigue management.
Flexibility2/10Standard ranges of motion—hip extension, squat depth, and overhead lockout—are required but not extreme mobility feats.
Power7/10Explosive hip drive in swings and box jumps plus aggressive leg drive in clusters reward powerful, crisp reps.
Speed4/10High volume and fatigue cap pure speed; fast cycling helps, but the workout favors steadiness over sprinting.

3 Rounds for Time 40 Kettlebell Swings (53/35 lb) 40 Box Jumps (24/20 in) 40 Clusters (65/45 lb) 40 Elevated Push-Ups (feet on 24/18 in box)

Difficulty:
Hard
Modality:
G
W
Stimulus:

A long, grindy for-time effort. Pace each movement with sustainable sets and short breaks so you can keep moving. Grip and shoulders should feel taxed but not blown up in round one. Aim for consistent round splits, steady breathing, and minimal no-reps. You should finish tired but able to hold form to the end.

Insight:

Pace early. Break the 40s before you have to. Think 20-10-10 or 15-15-10 to keep movement quality high. The one tip: Protect your grip. Relax on the backswing and use hook grip on clusters to save forearms. Avoid sprinting box jumps and clusters in round one. Big early spikes lead to long, costly rests later.

Scaling:

Scale to: 30 reps per station (3 rounds) • KB 35/26 lb and clusters 45/35 lb; box 20/16 in • Push-ups from floor or hands-elevated on a box instead of feet-elevated

Time Distribution:
30:00Elite
36:00Target
45:00Time Cap
Your Scores:

Training Profile

Performance Levels
L1
L2
L3
L4
L5
L6
L7
L8
L9
L10
RookieNoviceIntermediateAdvancedPro/Elite