Workout Description

Why This Workout Is Very Hard

King Kong combines maximal-strength barbell loads with advanced gymnastics in very low rep schemes. The deadlift and squat clean weights are near 1RM territory for many athletes, and the ring muscle-ups plus handstand push-ups add high-skill demands. With only three rounds, it’s a short event that punishes any weakness in strength, skill, or tension management under fatigue.

Benchmark Times for King Kong

• Elite: <4:00
• Advanced: 5:00-6:00
• Intermediate: 6:30-7:00
• Beginner: >9:00

Training Focus

This workout develops the following fitness attributes:

• Strength (9/10): Maximal strength is the limiter for many: near-1RM deadlift/squat clean and demanding upper-body pushing and pulling.
• Power (8/10): Explosive hip and leg drive for the clean and powerful pulls from the floor dominate successful, fast lifts.
• Speed (5/10): Transitions should be quick, but load and skill create deliberate pacing; no prolonged cycling of reps occurs.
• Stamina (4/10): Low total reps, but repeated heavy efforts and strict positions tax shoulder and midline stamina across three rounds.
• Flexibility (3/10): Requires adequate front rack, shoulder, and thoracic mobility for squat cleans and stable overhead positions in HSPU.
• Endurance (2/10): Very short, non-monostructural event with minimal sustained aerobic demand. Heart rate spikes come from heavy efforts and transitions rather than continuous cardio.

Scaling Options

Scale to: 1 DL 405/275 • 2 Ring MU • 3 Squat Cleans 225/155 • 4 Kipping HSPU • 1 DL 315/205 • 2 C2B Pull-Ups + 2 Ring Dips • 3 Squat Cleans 185/125 • 4 Kipping HSPU • 1 DL 225/155 • 4 Pull-Ups • 3 Power Cleans 135/95 • 4 Pike HSPU or DB Push Press 35/25

Scaling Explanation

Each option preserves the intent: a very heavy hinge, a high-skill vertical pull, a heavy clean, and a vertical press—adjusted to loads and skills that allow clean singles and minimal failures.

Intended Stimulus

Heavy and precise. Each rep should feel deliberate, with short rests to ensure perfect positions and no missed lifts. Move confidently between stations, but avoid redlining. Singles on the barbell, composed transitions, and unbroken gymnastics if possible. The best performances look like calm, powerful sets with minimal chalk breaks and no failed reps.

Coach Insight

Pace like a heavy EMOM: one composed, successful effort at a time. Quick walk between stations; set up before you touch the bar. Biggest tip: Don’t miss. A failed lift or muscle-up costs far more time and energy than a 5–10 second breath. Avoid sloppy setup, rushing chalk stops, and starting cleans tired—protect positions to keep all reps first-attempt.

Benchmark Notes

Times range from 9 minutes for developing athletes who can manage the RX loads to 4 minutes for elite performers who move confidently between heavy singles and high-skill gymnastics. Hitting 5–7 minutes suggests you maintained heavy but sustainable singles and quick, clean transitions without significant misses.

Modality Profile

There’s no monostructural element. Half the movements are gymnastics (muscle-ups and HSPU), but most time is spent on heavy barbell efforts. The heavy deadlift and squat clean dominate setup and lift time, pushing the weightlifting share higher than gymnastics.

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