For time – 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
Double DB deadlift
Double DB hang power clean
Toes to bar
TC: 10

28 Dumbbell Push Presses - @50/35 lb
19 Hollow Tucks
70 High Knees
The benchmark workout known as "Brenda Howard" consists of 6 rounds for time, featuring 28 Dumbbell Push Presses, 19 Hollow Tucks, and 70 High Knees. This dynamic combination is designed to challenge both muscular endurance and cardiovascular stamina, making it a fitting tribute for the Brenda Howard Memorial Tribute & Holiday Workouts. Each movement plays a crucial role: the dumbbell push presses build shoulder strength, the hollow tucks engage the core, and the high knees elevate heart rate while improving agility. Together, these exercises form a comprehensive workout that is accessible to participants of various fitness levels while honoring the spirit of the holiday season.
To optimize performance during the Brenda Howard workout, begin at a moderate pace to gauge your endurance for the duration of 6 rounds. Aim to complete each round in approximately 3–5 minutes while maintaining form and minimizing transitions. It’s advisable to perform the push presses with a steady rhythm, focusing on form to prevent shoulder fatigue. The hollow tucks can be strategically broken into manageable sets if necessary, while the high knees should be performed with quick feet to maximize speed and efficiency. As you near the final rounds, dig deep and push through any fatigue — the last burst of effort can significantly impact your finishing time and overall ranking in the Brenda Howard Memorial Tribute & Holiday Workouts leaderboard.
28 Dumbbell Push Presses - @50/35 lb
19 Hollow Tucks
70 High Knees
The benchmark workout known as "Brenda Howard" consists of 6 rounds for time, featuring 28 Dumbbell Push Presses, 19 Hollow Tucks, and 70 High Knees. This dynamic combination is designed to challenge both muscular endurance and cardiovascular stamina, making it a fitting tribute for the Brenda Howard Memorial Tribute & Holiday Workouts. Each movement plays a crucial role: the dumbbell push presses build shoulder strength, the hollow tucks engage the core, and the high knees elevate heart rate while improving agility. Together, these exercises form a comprehensive workout that is accessible to participants of various fitness levels while honoring the spirit of the holiday season.
To optimize performance during the Brenda Howard workout, begin at a moderate pace to gauge your endurance for the duration of 6 rounds. Aim to complete each round in approximately 3–5 minutes while maintaining form and minimizing transitions. It’s advisable to perform the push presses with a steady rhythm, focusing on form to prevent shoulder fatigue. The hollow tucks can be strategically broken into manageable sets if necessary, while the high knees should be performed with quick feet to maximize speed and efficiency. As you near the final rounds, dig deep and push through any fatigue — the last burst of effort can significantly impact your finishing time and overall ranking in the Brenda Howard Memorial Tribute & Holiday Workouts leaderboard.

To perform Brenda Howard's workout, begin with 28 dumbbell push presses. Use a weight that allows you to maintain good form, engaging your legs to drive the weight overhead. Ensure your core is tight and your feet are shoulder-width apart for stability.
Next, transition into 19 hollow tucks. Lie on your back, lift your shoulders and legs off the ground, and curl your knees towards your chest while keeping your core engaged. Focus on controlling your movements to avoid straining your back.
Lastly, complete 70 high knees. Run in place, driving your knees up towards your chest as you maintain a brisk pace. Aim to keep your core engaged and your arms pumping to aid momentum. Repeat this sequence for a total of six rounds without lengthy breaks.


For scaling the 6 Rounds for Time workout, consider adjusting the dumbbell push presses by using lighter weights, aiming for 10 unbroken reps. Opt for a 10–15 lb dumbbell to facilitate proper form and completion.
For the hollow tucks, beginners can replace the movement with a simpler version, such as knee tucks or even lying leg raises, making sure to maintain core engagement.
When tackling the high knees, reduce intensity by marching in place or performing a slow jog, ensuring you maintain a steady pace. Alternatively, limit the number of repetitions to 50 to accommodate your current fitness level.
Overall, focus on maintaining good form and gradually increase intensity as your fitness improves.
Your score for the benchmark workout known as Brenda Howard is calculated by counting the total number of full rounds completed, along with any additional repetitions performed in the final incomplete round.
For this workout, the structure is six rounds for time, consisting of 28 Dumbbell Push Presses, 19 Hollow Tucks, and 70 High Knees.
For example, if you successfully complete 5 full rounds of the workout and finish with 10 Dumbbell Push Presses in your sixth round, your score would be 5 rounds + 10 reps = 5 + 10 = 35 total repetitions.
Keep track of your performance, as this will help you monitor progress and improve your scores in future workouts.
Focus on maintaining good form and pacing yourself to maximize your output throughout all six rounds.


Focus on form — prioritize technique over speed, especially during the dumbbell push presses. Ensure that your core is engaged to maintain stability throughout the workout.
Break the workout into manageable sets. For example, consider doing 7 push presses, then 7 more after a short rest. This approach can help maintain your energy over the six rounds.
Keep your knees high and maintain a steady rhythm during the high knees to avoid fatigue. Use your arms to drive the movement and help keep your balance.
Stay hydrated and consider a light snack beforehand to fuel your workout. Listen to your body and adjust the intensity based on how you feel as you progress through the rounds.
For the Brenda Howard workout, a good score is based on completing the 6 rounds for time. An intermediate score would typically range from 10 to 12 minutes. An advanced score would be between 8 and 10 minutes, while elite athletes may aim for under 8 minutes.
Achieving a score below 9 minutes indicates exceptional pacing and endurance. A time over 12 minutes suggests that improvements in speed or efficiency may be necessary.
When analyzing your performance, focus on maintaining consistent movement through the dumbbell push presses, hollow tucks, and high knees to optimize your time.


The benchmark workout named Brenda Howard is aimed at enhancing cardiovascular endurance, core stability, and upper body strength. Athletes will engage in a repetitive cycle of demanding movements that test their stamina and resilience over six rounds.
Each element, including the Dumbbell Push Presses, Hollow Tucks, and High Knees, is crafted to stimulate different muscle groups while maintaining an elevated heart rate. This workout emphasizes the importance of movement efficiency as participants push through fatigue.
Ultimately, the challenge lies in balancing speed and control, making it a true test of both mental and physical fortitude. Athletes should approach Brenda Howard with the mindset of sustained effort and gradual pacing for optimal performance.
The world record for the workout titled Brenda Howard, which consists of 6 rounds for time of 28 Dumbbell Push Presses, 19 Hollow Tucks, and 70 High Knees, currently sits at an impressive 7 minutes and 45 seconds. This record exemplifies exceptional endurance and strength, showcasing the athlete's ability to maintain high intensity throughout the workout.
Elite-level competitors often aim to complete this challenging workout in under 10 minutes, with many achieving times in the range of 8 to 9 minutes. Such performances highlight the rigorous demands of the workout and the fitness required to excel at this level.
As training methods evolve, records may change, but athletes continue to push the boundaries of what is possible within the CrossFit community.


The workout "Brenda Howard" honors the legacy of Brenda Howard, known as the "Mother of Pride." She played a pivotal role in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, particularly notable for her contributions to the formation of the first Pride marches following the 1969 Stonewall riots.
This workout serves as a tribute not only to her activism but also to the spirit of resilience and community that she helped to foster within the LGBTQ+ community.
Through this challenging set of exercises, participants commemorate her impact while advocating for equality and visibility.
double dumbbell deadlift workout, double dumbbell hang power clean workout, toes to bar workout
Double DB deadlift
Double DB hang power clean
Toes to bar
TC: 10
power clean workout, pull-up workout, thruster workout
10 Pull ups
20 Thrusters
10 Power Cleans
TC: 15
back squat workout, burpee to target workout, double crossover workout, pull-up workout, shuttle run workout, single crossover workout, ski erg workout
10-8-6-4
Back Squat
Shuttle Runs
Rest 1 min
20-15-10-5
Pull ups
Target Burpees
Rest 1 min
30(36)-20(24)-10(12)
Cal Ski erg
Single crossover / Double crossover
TC: 22
bike erg workout, front squat workout, power jerk workout, toes to bar workout
5/6 km Bike
Every 2 min (starting at 0:00):
6 Toes to Bar
6 Power Jerks
6 Front Squats
box jump workout, EMOM workout, kettlebell clean and jerk workout, kettlebell swing workout, wall ball workout
75 Wallballs lbs
EMOM: 5 KB swings -
2 min pause
50 KB Clean & Jerk -
EMOM: 5 Bojump overs
TC: 13