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Karen HERO WOD

Honoring HERO WOD (Named Workout)

One hundred and fifty wall balls for time. A simple movement that becomes a true test of mental toughness and leg endurance.

The Workout

  • 150 Wall balls for time
  • (20/14 lb to 10/9 ft target)

Time Cap

20 minutes

Rx Standards

Men (Rx)

20 lb ball to 10 ft target

Women (Rx)

14 lb ball to 9 ft target

Equipment Needed

Medicine ball
Wall target

Recommended Gear

  • Weightlifting shoes (beneficial for squat stability)
  • Knee sleeves (highly recommended for high-volume squatting)
  • Chalk (if grip becomes an issue)
  • Wrist wraps (minimal benefit for this movement)
  • Water bottle for immediate post-workout recovery

Strategy Overview

Karen is about pacing and breaking up a high-volume single movement. Lifters are beneficial for squat stability. Knee sleeves are highly recommended for the high-volume squatting.

Honoring a Hero

Karen is one of the classic CrossFit benchmark workouts, designed to test the ability to maintain power output and movement quality through high-volume, single-movement fatigue. While not named after a specific fallen hero, it has become synonymous with mental toughness in CrossFit.

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." - John 15:13

Quick Tips for Success

1

Equipment: Lifters are BENEFICIAL for squat stability during high-rep work

2

Knee sleeves are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for the high-volume squatting

3

Use legs to drive ball up - avoid pressing with arms only

4

Maintain consistent squat depth throughout entire workout

5

This workout is largely mental - expect significant discomfort

6

Plan your breaking strategy before starting