Workout Description
For time:
20 wall-ball shots
20 box step-overs
20 wall-ball shots
20 medicine-ball box step-overs
20 wall-ball shots
20 lateral burpee box step-overs
Time cap: 25 minutes
♀ 6-lb medicine ball to a 9-foot target and a 12-inch box
♂ 10-lb medicine ball to a 9-foot target and a 12-inch box
Why This Workout Is Medium
This workout features light loads (6-10 lb medicine balls) with moderate volume (60 total wall-ball shots, 60 box step-overs). The progression adds complexity—lateral burpee box step-overs are skill-intensive but performed fresh at the end. The 25-minute cap provides ample time for the average athlete. Primary limiting factors are movement quality and leg fatigue from repetitive stepping, not strength or conditioning. Most athletes complete as prescribed without significant scaling.
Benchmark Times for The Step Show
- Elite: <6:20
- Advanced: 7:05-8:00
- Intermediate: 9:05-10:20
- Beginner: >18:30
Training Focus
This workout develops the following fitness attributes:
- Stamina (8/10): 120 total reps of wall-ball shots plus 60 box step-overs (standard and lateral burpee variations) create significant muscular endurance demands across legs, shoulders, and core throughout the workout.
- Endurance (7/10): The 25-minute time cap with continuous moderate-intensity work demands sustained cardiovascular output. Wall-ball shots and box step-overs maintain elevated heart rate throughout without extended rest periods.
- Speed (7/10): For-time format incentivizes quick movement cycling and minimal transitions. Continuous flowing between movements without rest demands sustained pace and efficient transitions to maximize speed.
- Power (6/10): Wall-ball shots are inherently explosive movements requiring rapid hip and shoulder extension. Box step-overs and burpees demand explosive leg drive. Power is a primary characteristic of most movements.
- Flexibility (5/10): Wall-ball shots require shoulder mobility and hip extension. Box step-overs demand hip flexion and ankle mobility. Lateral burpees add lateral mobility demands, creating moderate overall ROM requirements.
- Strength (4/10): Light to moderate loads (6-10 lb medicine balls) with moderate rep ranges test relative strength endurance rather than maximal force production. Box step-overs add bodyweight strength component.
Movements
- Wall Ball
- Medicine Ball Box Step-Over
- Box Step-Over
Scaling Options
Reduce repetition volume to 15 reps per movement (90 total reps instead of 120). Step over a 6-10" plate stack or box if 12" causes hip pinch. Sub standard step-overs or unweighted burpee step-overs for the final movement if needed.
Scaling Explanation
Scale if you cannot maintain continuous movement on the step-overs or if wall-ball mechanics break down due to fatigue. Keep the loads light and the box low to prioritize constant movement and aerobic capacity rather than stopping to rest.
Intended Stimulus
Long, low-to-moderate intensity engine builder lasting 15-20 minutes. The lighter weights (6/10 lb) and low box (12") allow for high cycle times, making this a pure aerobic conditioning and muscular stamina challenge for the legs and lungs.
Coach Insight
Keep the wall balls unbroken or in two quick sets of 10. The workout progressively gets harder as the box step-overs evolve from bodyweight to weighted, then to burpees. Pace the bodyweight and med-ball step-overs to save energy for the final 20 lateral burpee box step-overs, which will dramatically spike your heart rate.
Benchmark Notes
This low-skill, high-volume conditioning piece tests continuous movement with very light loads. L5 finishes around 11:00 by maintaining unbroken sets on wall balls and steady pacing through the box step-overs. Elite athletes smooth through the transitions under 6:00.
Modality Profile
All three movements (Wall Ball, Box Step-Over, Medicine Ball Box Step-Over) are weightlifting modality. Wall Ball and Medicine Ball Box Step-Over involve external load (medicine ball/wall ball). Box Step-Over with medicine ball is a weighted movement. Even the unweighted Box Step-Over in this context is paired with weighted variations, classifying the workout as 100% Weightlifting.