Workout Description

Why This Workout Is Hard

While individual elements (double-unders, box jumps, burpees) are moderate in isolation, the workout's structure creates significant cumulative fatigue. The progression from box jumps to burpees to burpee box jumps builds intensity, with no built-in rest periods. The final 5 rounds combine both previous movements into a complex skill under fatigue. Most athletes will take 15-20 minutes with inevitable breaks in double-unders as leg fatigue accumulates.

Benchmark Times for Drop the Hammer

• Elite: <8:00
• Advanced: 9:00-10:00
• Intermediate: 11:00-12:00
• Beginner: >18:00

Training Focus

This workout develops the following fitness attributes:

• Speed (9/10): Fast transitions and quick cycling of double-unders are crucial. Success requires maintaining high-intensity movement patterns throughout.
• Endurance (8/10): High-volume double-unders combined with explosive movements create sustained cardiovascular demand across 15 total rounds. Limited rest opportunities tax aerobic capacity significantly.
• Power (8/10): Highly explosive movement pattern throughout with jumping, box jumps, and burpees. Final rounds combine two power movements.
• Stamina (7/10): 300 double-unders and 150 total explosive movements challenge local muscular endurance, particularly in calves, shoulders, and legs.
• Flexibility (3/10): Basic ankle, hip, and shoulder mobility required for double-unders and burpees. Box jumps demand moderate hip flexion.
• Strength (2/10): Primarily bodyweight movements with no external load beyond box height. Minimal strength demands beyond basic jumping ability.

Movements

• Double-Under
• Box Jump
• Burpee
• Burpee Box Jump

Scaling Options

Double-Unders: Sub single-unders (60 reps) or alternate single/double attempts Box Jumps: Reduce height to 20/16" or step-ups Burpees: Step-out burpees or eliminate push-up portion Burpee Box Jumps: Separate movement into burpee + step-up, reduce height Volume Option: Reduce to 3 rounds per block Time Cap: 25 minutes

Scaling Explanation

Scale if unable to perform 20+ unbroken double-unders, cannot maintain safe box jump technique when tired, or if burpee box jumps cause form breakdown. Priority is maintaining consistent movement through all blocks - scale to achieve 2-3 minute rounds. Elite athletes should finish under 15 minutes, intermediate 15-20 minutes. Scale to maintain intensity rather than grinding through with poor technique. Success is steady work rather than explosive speed.

Intended Stimulus

Moderate-length glycolytic workout (15-20 minutes) with progressive skill and intensity demands. Each 5-round block increases technical complexity while maintaining consistent cardio output through double-unders. Primary challenge is maintaining power output and coordination as fatigue accumulates, especially in final block combining burpees with box jumps.

Coach Insight

Break double-unders into sets of 10+10 initially to maintain rhythm. For box jumps, step down to conserve energy in first block. During burpee block, focus on efficient push-up position and pop-up. In final block, expect significant slowdown - prioritize safety over speed on burpee box jumps. Rest 30-60 seconds between blocks to reset mentally and physically. Common mistake is rushing early blocks and burning out before the challenging finale. Aim for consistent round times within each block.

Benchmark Notes

This workout is most similar to Annie (50-40-30-20-10 double-unders + sit-ups) in terms of double-under volume and overall structure. Analysis breakdown: Part 1 (DU + Box Jumps): - 100 DU @ 0.5s each = 50s - 50 Box Jumps @ 2s each = 100s - Transitions: ~5s per round Base time: ~175s Part 2 (DU + Burpees): - 100 DU @ 0.5s each = 50s - 50 Burpees @ 3.5s each = 175s - Transitions: ~5s per round Base time: ~250s Part 3 (DU + Burpee Box Jumps): - 100 DU @ 0.5s each = 50s - 50 Burpee Box Jumps @ 5s each = 250s - Transitions: ~5s per round Base time: ~325s Fatigue multipliers: - Part 1: 1.1x (fresh) - Part 2: 1.2x (moderate fatigue) - Part 3: 1.3x (significant fatigue) Total projected times: Male L10: 8:00 (480s) Male L5: 12:00 (720s) Male L1: 18:00 (1080s) Female L10: 10:00 (600s) Female L5: 14:00 (840s) Female L1: 20:00 (1200s) Compared to Annie benchmark, this workout is ~60% longer due to more complex movements (burpees, box jumps) and higher total volume. Times scaled proportionally from Annie's L10 (5-6 min), L5 (8-10 min), and L1 (13-16 min) benchmarks.

Modality Profile

All movements (Double-Under, Box Jump, Burpee, Burpee Box Jump) are gymnastics/bodyweight movements. Double-Unders are a bodyweight coordination skill, Box Jumps and Burpees are classic bodyweight movements. Burpee Box Jump is a combination of two gymnastics movements.