Workout Description

Immediately after 21.3, with remaining time until 15:00 mark: Establish 1RM of complex (Deadlift + Clean + Hang Clean + Jerk)

Why This Workout Is Very Hard

A heavy, technical barbell complex performed under fatigue with limited time elevates the difficulty. Unbroken sequencing taxes grip and positions, while the hang clean and jerk demand high skill and composure. Most athletes will take only a few attempts to hit a maximal load, where small technical errors or fatigue can end a lift.

Training Focus

This workout develops the following fitness attributes:

  • Strength (9/10): Primary test is maximal force in barbell lifts under fatigue. Your clean-and-jerk capacity is the main limiter, not volume tolerance.
  • Power (8/10): Explosive hip extension and speed under the bar are critical for heavy cleans and a sharp jerk, especially when grip is taxed.
  • Flexibility (5/10): Requires solid front rack, hip/ankle mobility for receiving positions, and overhead stability. Not extreme, but poor mobility will cap loading.
  • Speed (4/10): Attempts are deliberate with setup and rest, but each lift demands fast turnover and crisp footwork without true sprint cycling.
  • Stamina (3/10): Low total reps, but unbroken sequencing taxes grip and midline. You must maintain tension through the clean into the hang clean and jerk.
  • Endurance (1/10): Very minimal aerobic demand; short, heavy attempts with long rest. The limiter isn’t engine capacity but composure and recovery between heavy singles.

Scaling Options

Scale to: 1 Deadlift + 1 Hang Clean + 1 Jerk (skip floor clean) • Use lighter loads and power variations only • Dumbbell complex (2 DB): DL + Clean + Hang Clean + Jerk

Scaling Explanation

These options keep the unbroken sequencing and overhead demand while reducing technical complexity or absolute load to match ability and mobility.

Intended Stimulus

Heavy, focused singles under pressure. Plan 2–4 quality attempts, resting adequately to keep technique sharp. The deadlift should feel easy relative to the clean and jerk, but it sets up grip fatigue for the hang clean. Aim for one confident top set before time expires without rushing or compromising positions.

Coach Insight

Pace your attempts: open with a sure make, then take 1–2 meaningful jumps. Rest 60–120 seconds between attempts depending on fatigue. The one tip: control the down phases—regrip quickly and keep your hook grip to protect the hang clean. Avoid these mistakes: rushing the first attempt, soft lockout on the jerk, and pausing the bar on the floor between reps.

Benchmark Notes

These loads span from novice to advanced-competitive for an unbroken complex after a metcon. Score the heaviest successful set without dropping the bar between reps. Many intermediates land around 185–205 lb for men and 115–135 lb for women. Higher numbers reflect greater strength, technique, and timing in a fatigued setting.

Modality Profile

This is a pure weightlifting event. All work is performed with a barbell, emphasizing technical Olympic lifting and heavy strength under fatigue. No monostructural or gymnastics elements are present in this piece.

Similar Workouts to Open 21.4

If you enjoy Open 21.4, you might also like these similar CrossFit WODs:

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  • Open 18.2A (84% similar) - Immediately following 18.2: 1 rep max Clean (Performed within 12 min total cap with 18.2)...
  • Open 11.3 (82% similar) - AMRAP in 5 minutes 1 Squat Clean (165/110 lb) 1 Jerk (165/110 lb)...
  • Isabel (81% similar) - For Time 30 Snatches (135/95 lb)...
  • Olympic Weightlifting Total (81% similar) - Sum of the Best of Each Lift Snatch 1-1-1 reps Clean-and-Jerk 1-1-1 reps...
  • Regionals 14.1 (81% similar) - For Load: 1 Rep-Max Hang Squat Snatch Time Cap: 6 minutes (3 attempts within time)....
  • Gwen (80% similar) - 15-12-9 Clean-and-Jerks (unbroken) Rest as needed between sets. Score is load for the set of 15....

These WODs similar to Open 21.4 share comparable training demands, time domains, and movement patterns.

Training Profile

AttributeScoreExplanation
Endurance1/10Very minimal aerobic demand; short, heavy attempts with long rest. The limiter isn’t engine capacity but composure and recovery between heavy singles.
Stamina3/10Low total reps, but unbroken sequencing taxes grip and midline. You must maintain tension through the clean into the hang clean and jerk.
Strength9/10Primary test is maximal force in barbell lifts under fatigue. Your clean-and-jerk capacity is the main limiter, not volume tolerance.
Flexibility5/10Requires solid front rack, hip/ankle mobility for receiving positions, and overhead stability. Not extreme, but poor mobility will cap loading.
Power8/10Explosive hip extension and speed under the bar are critical for heavy cleans and a sharp jerk, especially when grip is taxed.
Speed4/10Attempts are deliberate with setup and rest, but each lift demands fast turnover and crisp footwork without true sprint cycling.

Immediately after 21.3, with remaining time until 15:00 mark: Establish 1RM of complex (Deadlift + Clean + Hang Clean + Jerk)

Difficulty:
Very Hard
Modality:
W
Stimulus:

Heavy, focused singles under pressure. Plan 2–4 quality attempts, resting adequately to keep technique sharp. The deadlift should feel easy relative to the clean and jerk, but it sets up grip fatigue for the hang clean. Aim for one confident top set before time expires without rushing or compromising positions.

Insight:

Pace your attempts: open with a sure make, then take 1–2 meaningful jumps. Rest 60–120 seconds between attempts depending on fatigue. The one tip: control the down phases—regrip quickly and keep your hook grip to protect the hang clean. Avoid these mistakes: rushing the first attempt, soft lockout on the jerk, and pausing the bar on the floor between reps.

Scaling:

Scale to: 1 Deadlift + 1 Hang Clean + 1 Jerk (skip floor clean) • Use lighter loads and power variations only • Dumbbell complex (2 DB): DL + Clean + Hang Clean + Jerk

Your Scores:

Training Profile

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