6 Rounds
8 Thrusters –
8 Ring rows/Pull ups/C2B
8 Power cleans
8 Knee raises/knees to elbows/T2B
30 sec rest
TC: 16
The Ocean Swim benchmark workout is a test of endurance and technique, requiring athletes to complete a 500-meter swim for time. This workout challenges both aerobic capacity and swimming efficiency, pushing participants to maximize their speed while maintaining proper form throughout the distance. Whether you are an experienced swimmer or a newcomer to the water, this benchmark offers a critical opportunity to assess your performance in a controlled environment. The unique blend of strokes can also help improve overall swim mechanics, making it vital for those looking to enhance their benchmark workouts.
Begin the Ocean Swim at a comfortable yet brisk pace, allowing your body to adjust to the water; this will help in preventing fatigue early on. Aim to swim smoothly for the first half of the distance, then gradually increase your effort in the second half. Familiarize yourself with sighting techniques to maintain direction without wasting energy. Focus on consistent breathing patterns to ensure optimal oxygen intake, and take advantage of any technique improvements you’ve practiced. The final stretch is crucial — push yourself to finish strong, as seconds can make a significant difference in your final time and ranking in the Ocean Swim benchmark workout.
Begin your swim workout with a proper warm-up, focusing on your breathing and stroke technique. Start with an easy 100 meters to get accustomed to the water.
Once ready, aim for a strong pace as you tackle the 500-meter swim. Concentrate on maintaining a steady rhythm, using a freestyle stroke to maximize efficiency. Ensure your arms enter the water smoothly, and engage your core to maintain body position.
As you swim, periodically check your form. Keep your kicks consistent and strong, and remember to breathe bilaterally to enhance stability and endurance.
Upon completing the distance, cool down with a gentle 100-meter swim, allowing your heart rate to return to normal while reflecting on your performance.


To scale the Ocean Swim benchmark workout, consider reducing the swim distance to 250 meters for beginners or those building endurance. You can also modify the swim style; instead of freestyle, opt for a backstroke or breaststroke to conserve energy.
If swimming in a pool, try using a pull buoy to support your legs, focusing on upper body strength. Alternatively, individuals can switch to aquatic exercises like water jogging or kickboard drills if swimming does not suit their current fitness level.
For a time cap, aim for 10-15 minutes to complete the workout. This allows for a challenging yet achievable goal, making the workout accessible while still promoting improvement.
To score the workout of the benchmark workout, Ocean Swim, which is a 500 meter swim for time, your score will be the total time taken to complete the swim. This means you need to ensure you have a stopwatch or a timer to accurately record your time.
For example, if you finish the swim in 10 minutes and 30 seconds, your score will be 10:30. Keep in mind that this is a benchmark workout often used to track your progress over time.
It’s essential to maintain a steady pace and focus on your technique, as both will impact your overall time. Remember to record your score and compare it on future attempts to gauge your improvement.


Begin your Ocean Swim with a strong mental focus; visualize your strokes and breathing pattern. Start at a moderate pace for the first 100 meters to conserve energy and prevent fatigue. Maintain a steady rhythm and use long, controlled strokes to maximize your efficiency in the water.
Keep your head down and eyes forward to reduce drag. Practice bilateral breathing to help maintain balance and ensure you're not overly reliant on one side. Use your legs effectively for propulsion, engaging your core to keep your body streamlined.
Finish strong by gradually increasing your pace over the last 100 meters. Stay mindful of your technique and avoid flailing your arms or legs, which can waste energy. A strong finish is crucial for a solid overall time.
A good score for the Ocean Swim workout, which consists of a 500-meter swim for time, is dependent on the swimmer's experience and conditioning. For intermediate swimmers, a finishing time between 10 to 12 minutes is a respectable score. Advanced swimmers typically aim for times between 8 to 10 minutes, demonstrating a solid understanding of pacing and technique.
Elite swimmers should strive to complete the swim in under 8 minutes, showcasing exceptional speed and endurance. Achieving a time below 7 minutes indicates a high level of proficiency in open water swimming and overall fitness.
Overall, focusing on form and consistent pacing can lead to improvement in swim times and overall performance in future workouts.


The Ocean Swim workout is intended to enhance aerobic endurance and improve stroke efficiency in the water. Athletes will engage in a continuous swim that emphasizes breath control and pacing.
This benchmark aims to develop shoulder strength and stamina by requiring participants to maintain a consistent pace over a 500-meter distance, roughly equivalent to 0.31 miles.
Swimmers should focus on their technique, ensuring that each stroke is effective while conserving energy for the entire duration of the workout. This will promote a strong cardiovascular response and prepare them for longer swims in various conditions.
Overall, Ocean Swim serves as an excellent test of both physical and mental resilience, pushing athletes to overcome the challenges posed by water resistance and fatigue.
The world record for the Ocean Swim workout, which consists of a 500-meter swim for time, is an impressive measure of speed and endurance. This workout challenges athletes to complete the distance in the shortest time possible, showcasing both technique and stamina.
As of the latest updates, unofficial top times in various competitive swimming and fitness communities range from approximately 5 to 6 minutes for elite male competitors and 6 to 7 minutes for elite female competitors. These times require exceptional swimming skills and efficient pacing.
Achieving such results in the Ocean Swim demands rigorous training and optimal conditions, making it a benchmark workout for swimmers and fitness enthusiasts alike.

chest to bar workout, for time workout, knee raises workout, knees to elbows workout, power clean workout, pull-up workout, ring row workout, thruster workout, toes to bar workout
8 Thrusters –
8 Ring rows/Pull ups/C2B
8 Power cleans
8 Knee raises/knees to elbows/T2B
30 sec rest
TC: 16
bar muscle up workout, Devils press workout, for time workout, wall ball workout
21-15-9
Devil’s Press
42-30-18
Wall Balls
After each round: 3 Bar Muscle-ups
clean workout, for time workout, row workout, running workout, snatch workout
200 m run
16 Snatch –
200 m run
12 Snatch
200 m run
8 Snatch
200 m run
4 Snatch
200 m run
Rest 3 min
200/300 m row
16 Clean –
200/300 m row
12 Clean
200/300 m row
8 Clean
200/300 m row
4 Clean
200/300 m row
TC: 27
bike erg workout, box jump over workout, dumbbell overhead squat workout, for time workout, pull-up workout, ring row workout, ski erg workout
Buy in: 500 m ski
4 rounds:
10 DB OH squats –
15 Ring rows/pull ups
20 Bojump overs
Buy out: 1000 m bike
TC: 18
back rack lunge workout, bike erg workout, for time workout, ski erg workout, toes to bar workout
16/20 Cal Ski
16 Back Rack Lunges
16/20 Cal Bike
16 Toes to Bar
