AMRAP 12
12 ring rows/pull ups
20 DB reverse lunges -
8 Hand release push ups/HSPU
20 Wall balls lbs
25 Goblet Squats - @24/16 kg (53/35 lb)
3 Handstand Push-Ups
25 Goblet Squats
6 Handstand Push-Ups
Continue adding 3 Handstand Push-Ups each round.
The AMRAP 12 workout named Chein-Shiung Wu is designed to challenge your endurance and strength with a combination of goblet squats and handstand push-ups. The structure starts with 25 goblet squats followed by 3 handstand push-ups. Each subsequent round increases the difficulty by adding 3 more handstand push-ups, providing a progressive challenge that tests your stamina and mental toughness over the 12-minute duration. This benchmark workout is not only a test of physical capability but also a tribute to the remarkable achievements of Chein-Shiung Wu, making it a meaningful addition to your holiday workout routines.
To maximize your performance in this AMRAP, begin with a steady and controlled pace for the first few rounds to establish rhythm and avoid fatigue. Each round may take approximately 1 to 2 minutes, so maintain a steady workload that you can sustain throughout the 12 minutes. Focus on executing goblet squats with proper form to ensure depth while conserving energy. As handstand push-ups can quickly lead to fatigue, break them down into manageable sets early on, especially as the number increases. Use the final moments of the workout to push for as many additional rounds as possible, as even minor increases can significantly impact your final score. Remember, this workout is not just about competition but also about honoring Chein-Shiung Wu during your holiday fitness journey.
25 Goblet Squats - @24/16 kg (53/35 lb)
3 Handstand Push-Ups
25 Goblet Squats
6 Handstand Push-Ups
Continue adding 3 Handstand Push-Ups each round.
The AMRAP 12 workout named Chein-Shiung Wu is designed to challenge your endurance and strength with a combination of goblet squats and handstand push-ups. The structure starts with 25 goblet squats followed by 3 handstand push-ups. Each subsequent round increases the difficulty by adding 3 more handstand push-ups, providing a progressive challenge that tests your stamina and mental toughness over the 12-minute duration. This benchmark workout is not only a test of physical capability but also a tribute to the remarkable achievements of Chein-Shiung Wu, making it a meaningful addition to your holiday workout routines.
To maximize your performance in this AMRAP, begin with a steady and controlled pace for the first few rounds to establish rhythm and avoid fatigue. Each round may take approximately 1 to 2 minutes, so maintain a steady workload that you can sustain throughout the 12 minutes. Focus on executing goblet squats with proper form to ensure depth while conserving energy. As handstand push-ups can quickly lead to fatigue, break them down into manageable sets early on, especially as the number increases. Use the final moments of the workout to push for as many additional rounds as possible, as even minor increases can significantly impact your final score. Remember, this workout is not just about competition but also about honoring Chein-Shiung Wu during your holiday fitness journey.

Perform an AMRAP for 12 minutes, starting with 25 Goblet Squats. Hold a kettlebell close to your chest, maintain a straight back, and squat down until your thighs are parallel to the ground. Ensure your knees track over your toes.
After completing the squats, move on to 3 Handstand Push-Ups. Kick up against a wall for stability, keeping your core tight as you lower your head towards the ground and push back up to the starting position.
Next, repeat the 25 Goblet Squats, followed by 6 Handstand Push-Ups. Continue this pattern, adding 3 Handstand Push-Ups to each subsequent round. Focus on maintaining good form throughout the workout and managing your pacing between exercises.


For the AMRAP 12 workout known as Chein-Shiung Wu, you can scale the Goblet Squats by reducing the weight of the kettlebell to 8–12 kg. This will help maintain good form while allowing you to focus on endurance.
For the Handstand Push-Ups, beginners may opt for a scaled version such as Pike Push-Ups or wall walks. Alternatively, you can perform them from your knees to reduce the difficulty.
If 3 Handstand Push-Ups feel too challenging, start with 1 or 2 reps and gradually increase as you gain strength.
Additionally, you may adjust the total workout time to 8–10 minutes to accommodate your fitness level, focusing on completing as many rounds as possible within that timeframe.
Your score for the AMRAP 12 workout, Chein-Shiung Wu, is calculated by counting the total number of full rounds completed along with any extra repetitions performed after your last full round.
For each full round, you need to complete 25 Goblet Squats followed by an increasing number of Handstand Push-Ups starting from 3 and adding 3 with each subsequent round.
For instance, if you complete 5 full rounds and then finish with 10 Goblet Squats and 3 Handstand Push-Ups, your score would be 5 rounds + 10 squats + 3 push-ups, totaling 5 + 10 + 3 = 118 reps.
Be mindful to track every round and rep for an accurate score!


Begin with a steady pace to establish a rhythm—avoid going all out from the start. Focus on maintaining your form during the Goblet Squats to prevent fatigue. Transition quickly between movements to maximize your workout time. If you struggle with Handstand Push-Ups, consider scaling them down or using a wall for support to maintain momentum.
Keep an eye on your grip strength; if it starts to falter, alternate between sets of Goblet Squats and Handstand Push-Ups to give your muscles a brief recovery. Make sure to breathe steadily throughout the workout, allowing your body to maintain energy and reduce lactic acid buildup.
Finally, finish strong by pushing through the last rounds, utilizing proper techniques to ensure efficiency in your movements.
For the Chein-Shiung Wu workout, the scoring is based on the AMRAP format. A good score for this workout would be determined by the number of rounds completed within the 12-minute timeframe.
Intermediate athletes should aim for 6–8 rounds, demonstrating a solid grasp of the movements and pacing.
Advanced athletes can expect to complete 9–11 rounds, showcasing enhanced endurance and strength.
Elite athletes will excel with scores of 12+ rounds, indicating exceptional fitness, muscular endurance, and efficiency in both squats and handstand push-ups.
A score over 200 total reps reflects outstanding performance and stamina throughout the duration of the workout.


The Chein-Shiung Wu workout is intended to stimulate overall muscular endurance, core stability, and body control through a dynamic combination of movements. By integrating Goblet Squats with Handstand Push-Ups, athletes are challenged to maintain strength while performing high-repetition exercises that require both endurance and mental resilience.
This workout format encourages athletes to pace themselves effectively, as they continuously increase the volume of Handstand Push-Ups with each round. This progressive overload not only builds upper body strength but also emphasizes the importance of maintaining proper form under fatigue.
Ultimately, the Chein-Shiung Wu benchmark workout serves as a test of an athlete’s ability to manage their energy and execute complex movements with precision over a sustained period, enhancing overall fitness and performance.
The world record for the Chein-Shiung Wu workout, which is an AMRAP for 12 minutes, has been unofficially reported in the CrossFit community. Elite male athletes have achieved scores ranging between 10 to 12 rounds, while elite female athletes typically score between 8 to 10 rounds.
These impressive scores indicate not only high fitness levels but also exceptional pacing and endurance capabilities. To achieve such performances, athletes must strategically manage their effort across multiple rounds, maintaining intensity throughout the workout.
As the workout combines strength and skill elements, the ability to execute handstand push-ups efficiently while managing fatigue from goblet squats is critical to maximizing total rounds completed.


The workout Chein-Shiung Wu honors Dr. Chien-Shiung Wu, a pioneering experimental physicist known for her significant contributions to the field of nuclear physics. Born in China in 1912, she played a crucial role in the Manhattan Project and later made groundbreaking discoveries in beta decay.
Her work challenged existing scientific theories and earned her numerous accolades, although she was often overlooked for major awards during her lifetime. This workout serves as a tribute to her resilience and groundbreaking achievements in a male-dominated field.
dumbbell reverse lunge workout, hand-release push-up workout, handstand push-up workout, pull-up workout, ring row workout, wall ball workout
12 ring rows/pull ups
20 DB reverse lunges -
8 Hand release push ups/HSPU
20 Wall balls lbs
AMRAP workout, burpee over rower workout, row workout, wall ball workout
10/12 Cal Row
10 Wall Balls
10 Burpees Over Rower
10/12 Cal Row
10 Wall Balls
Max Cal Row
abmat sit-up workout, burpee over rower workout, row workout
Row for meters
E2MOM: alternate between 10 AB-mat sit ups / 4 Burpee over rower
AMRAP workout, double under workout, hand-release push-up workout, handstand push-up workout, single under workout, thruster workout
10 Thrusters -
10 HR. push ups / HSPU
100 Single unders/75 Double unders
Rest 30 sec
assault bike workout, dumbbell overhead walking lunge workout, dumbbell snatch workout, dumbbell thruster workout, hand-release push-up workout, pistol squat workout, toes to bar workout
20 DB Snatch
15 DB Thrusters
20 Toes to bar
15 m Walking OH Lunges
20 Hand Release Push ups
15 Pistol Squats
*Every 3 min: 12/15 Cal Assault bike
