CHAD WILKINSON
It was the afternoon of Friday, December 14, 2018. Jimi Letchford, James Hobart and Adrian Bozman joined Dave Castro downstairs in CrossFit HQ’s box. Each one with a 45-pound backpack strapped on, they began stepping, up and down on a 20” box, repeatedly for 1,000 steps. CLICK HERE to read more about the origins of the workout “CHAD”.
WOD: Hero WOD “CHAD”
For Time
1,000 Box Step-Ups 20
Wear a Ruck Pack 45/35
Complete 1,000 Weighted Box Step-Ups as fast as possible (“For Time“). Use a 20 inch Box and wear a Ruck Pack that weighs 45/35 lb for men/women.
A Ruck is a weighted Backpack to simulate the gear carried during a hiking expedition.
Score is the time it takes to complete all 1,000 repetitions.
Tips and Strategy
When you go into this workout, know that your pace will be slow. You’ll break a lot, but long rests will result in feeling like the clock is moving backwards instead of forwards. Commit to short breaks (10-15 seconds) and then get back on the box.
Intended Stimulus
This memorial WOD should feel like one of the most mentally challenging workouts you’ll ever do. You’ll want to quit at least a few times. But when you make it to the finish line, you’ll feel both exhausted (physically and mentally) and extremely accomplished. And if you keep Chad Michael Wilkinson in your mind during all 1,000 reps, you’ll also feel like you’ve properly honored a fellow human being.
Scaling Options
This workout is meant to be grueling and long—an hour or more for most athletes.
Single-modality workouts, ones where there is only one movement, (like “Randy,” “30 Muscle-Ups,” and “Run 3k”) are tough—there’s only one movement, and therefore, nowhere to hide.
Beginners should significantly scale the volume and/or the load to stay safe. The prescribed version of this workout should only be tackled by well-seasoned athletes.
Intermediate
For Time
500 Box Step-Ups (20 in)
Wear a Ruck Pack (25/15 lb)
Beginner
For Time
200 to 500 Box Step-Ups (20 in)
No Weighted Ruck
With a Partner UGO-IGO
Sets of 5 or Singles to 500 or 1000 Box Step-ups.
Modify weight and box height to suit your capacity.