Workout Description

6 Rounds for Time 600 meter Run 6 Power Cleans (80/50 kg) 6 Box Jumps (30/24 in) 6 Kettlebell Swings (32/24 kg) 6 Burpees Over the Bar

Why This Workout Is Hard

The 600m runs create significant cardiovascular fatigue before each round of moderately heavy power cleans. The combination of running and loaded movements creates a challenging metabolic demand, while the box jumps and burpees maintain intensity when athletes are already fatigued. The workout should take 20-25 minutes, with no built-in rest periods. Most athletes will need to break up the power cleans in later rounds.

Benchmark Times for The Six

  • 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:

  • Endurance (8/10): The 600m runs combined with continuous movement through moderate-load exercises creates significant cardiovascular demand across six rounds with minimal built-in rest.
  • Stamina (7/10): Multiple rounds of compound movements challenge muscular endurance, particularly in the posterior chain and legs through combined fatigue effects.
  • Power (7/10): Box jumps, power cleans, and explosive kettlebell swings make this a power-intensive workout, though fatigue affects output quality.
  • Flexibility (6/10): Dynamic hip mobility for cleans, box jumps, and kettlebell swings, plus ankle mobility for runs demands good range of motion.
  • Speed (6/10): Quick transitions between movements and maintaining pace on runs is crucial, but load and volume prevent all-out speed.
  • Strength (5/10): Moderate loads in power cleans and kettlebell swings require decent strength, but volume and fatigue limit max force production.

Movements

  • Kettlebell Swing
  • Power Clean
  • Burpee
  • Run
  • Box Jump

Scaling Options

Run: Reduce to 400m or substitute row/bike. Power Clean: 60/40kg or 40/25kg based on experience. Sub hang power clean if mobility limited. Box Jump: 24/20" box with step-downs allowed. KB Swing: 24/16kg or 16/12kg. Burpees: Step-back burpees or regular burpees without the bar hop. Volume: Reduce to 4-5 rounds for beginners. Time cap at 25 minutes.

Scaling Explanation

Scale if unable to perform 5+ unbroken power cleans at prescribed weight, cannot maintain running pace under 3:00/400m, or if box jumps cause significant hesitation. Priority is maintaining consistent movement through all rounds while keeping intensity high. Target completion time is 15-25 minutes. Scale load and complexity before reducing volume to preserve the intended stimulus. Form deterioration on power cleans or excessive rest between movements indicates need for scaling.

Intended Stimulus

Moderate-length glycolytic workout (15-25 minutes) with oxidative elements from the runs. Primary challenge is maintaining power output across multiple domains while managing fatigue. The run creates a steady aerobic base while the barbell and bodyweight movements test explosive power and full-body coordination.

Coach Insight

Break the run into 200m segments mentally. Keep runs controlled but purposeful - this isn't a sprint. Power cleans should be touch-and-go when fresh, singles when fatigued. Step-back from box jumps when tired. Minimize transition time between movements but take 2-3 deep breaths before starting each new movement. Common failure point is rushing early rounds then hitting severe fatigue by round 4. Aim for consistent round times within 30 seconds of each other.

Benchmark Notes

This workout is most similar to Helen (3 rounds of running + KB swings + gymnastics) but with 6 rounds and different movements. Let's break it down: 1. Per Round: - 600m Run: 90-120s fresh state - 6 Power Cleans: 15-20s (heavier than typical) - 6 Box Jumps: 12-15s - 6 KB Swings: 12-15s - 6 Burpees: 24-30s Base round time: ~160-200s 2. Fatigue Progression: - Rounds 1-2: 1.0x (160-200s each) - Rounds 3-4: 1.2x (192-240s each) - Rounds 5-6: 1.3x (208-260s each) 3. Transitions: 5-10s between movements Comparing to Helen anchor (7:30-8:30 elite): - This workout has double the rounds - Heavier loading (80kg vs 53lb KB) - More complex movement pattern Projected times: L10 (Elite): 8:00-9:00 (480-540s) L5 (Intermediate): 12:00-13:00 (720-780s) L1 (Beginner): 18:00-20:00 (1080-1200s) Female times adjusted +15-20% due to heavier loading in power cleans and KB swings.

Modality Profile

Of the 5 movements: Box Jump and Burpee are Gymnastics (2), Run is Monostructural (1), Power Clean and Kettlebell Swing are Weightlifting (2). 2/5 G = 40%, 1/5 M = 20%, 2/5 W = 40%

Similar Workouts to The Six

If you enjoy The Six, you might also like these similar CrossFit WODs:

  • Wood (85% similar) - 5 Rounds For Time 400 meter Run 10 Burpee Box Jumps (24/20 in) 10 Sumo-Deadlift High-Pulls (95/65 lb...
  • Sixy (85% similar) - 20 min AMRAP 6 DB Alt Arm Snatch 6 Burpees 6 KB Russian Swings 6 Lunges 6 H/R Push ups 6 cal Row* *...
  • Shinners (84% similar) - AMRAP (with a Partner) in 25 minutes 30 Burpees 1,000 meter Row 30 Kettlebell Swings (70/53 lb)...
  • Linchpin Test 1 (84% similar) - For Time 400 meter Run 21-15-9 Reps of: Thrusters (75/55 lb) Pull-Ups 400 meter Run 21-15-9 Reps ...
  • Kent (84% similar) - AMRAP in 28 minutes 15 Russian Kettlebell Swings (70/53 lb) 20 Box Jumps (24/20 in) 25 Dumbbell Hang...
  • The Wirtz (84% similar) - 4 Rounds for Time 14 calorie Bike 16 Thrusters (95/65 lb) 10 Kettlebell Swings (53/35 lb) 14 calorie...
  • McFlurry (84% similar) - For Time 400 meter Run 21 Cleans (185/135 lb) 21 Pull-Ups 400 meter Run 15 Dumbbell Thrusters (50/35...
  • Kiana (84% similar) - 4 Rounds for Time 2 Squat Cleans (185/125 lb) 15 Push-Ups 99 Double-Unders 12 Sit-Ups 23 Deadlifts (...

These WODs similar to The Six share comparable training demands, time domains, and movement patterns.

Training Profile

AttributeScoreExplanation
Endurance8/10The 600m runs combined with continuous movement through moderate-load exercises creates significant cardiovascular demand across six rounds with minimal built-in rest.
Stamina7/10Multiple rounds of compound movements challenge muscular endurance, particularly in the posterior chain and legs through combined fatigue effects.
Strength5/10Moderate loads in power cleans and kettlebell swings require decent strength, but volume and fatigue limit max force production.
Flexibility6/10Dynamic hip mobility for cleans, box jumps, and kettlebell swings, plus ankle mobility for runs demands good range of motion.
Power7/10Box jumps, power cleans, and explosive kettlebell swings make this a power-intensive workout, though fatigue affects output quality.
Speed6/10Quick transitions between movements and maintaining pace on runs is crucial, but load and volume prevent all-out speed.

6 Rounds for Time 600 meter Run 6 Power Cleans (80/50 kg) 6 Box Jumps (30/24 in) 6 Kettlebell Swings (32/24 kg) 6 Burpees Over the Bar

Difficulty:
Hard
Modality:
G
M
W
Stimulus:

Moderate-length glycolytic workout (15-25 minutes) with oxidative elements from the runs. Primary challenge is maintaining power output across multiple domains while managing fatigue. The run creates a steady aerobic base while the barbell and bodyweight movements test explosive power and full-body coordination.

Insight:

Break the run into 200m segments mentally. Keep runs controlled but purposeful - this isn't a sprint. Power cleans should be touch-and-go when fresh, singles when fatigued. Step-back from box jumps when tired. Minimize transition time between movements but take 2-3 deep breaths before starting each new movement. Common failure point is rushing early rounds then hitting severe fatigue by round 4. Aim for consistent round times within 30 seconds of each other.

Scaling:

Run: Reduce to 400m or substitute row/bike. Power Clean: 60/40kg or 40/25kg based on experience. Sub hang power clean if mobility limited. Box Jump: 24/20" box with step-downs allowed. KB Swing: 24/16kg or 16/12kg. Burpees: Step-back burpees or regular burpees without the bar hop. Volume: Reduce to 4-5 rounds for beginners. Time cap at 25 minutes.

Time Distribution:
9:30Elite
12:30Target
18:00Time Cap
Your Scores:

Training Profile

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