memorial_wod

Deacon - Crossfit Workout

For Time: 4 Rounds

Superman Hold
Run
Jumping Lunges
Abmat Sit-Ups
Ring Dips
Wall Walks
Superman Hold

Execution and Focus

The workout "Deacon" is a benchmark tribute designed to challenge endurance and strength through two distinct formats. The first part consists of 4 rounds for time, incorporating movements like the Superman Hold, running, Jumping Lunges, Abmat Sit-Ups, Ring Dips, Wall Walks, and finishing with another Superman Hold. This sequence tests muscular endurance and cardiovascular capacity, pushing athletes to their limits while maintaining proper form. The second component, an AMRAP (As Many Rounds As Possible) in 20 minutes, features 10 Push Presses, 10 Kettlebell Swings, and 10 Box Jumps, creating a dynamic cycle that emphasizes total body conditioning and explosive power. Together, these elements make Deacon a comprehensive test that honors the spirit of fitness and resilience in a memorial context.

Strategy and Finish

Approach the Deacon workout with a clear strategy to optimize performance. For the 4 rounds, manage your pacing to ensure each movement is executed effectively without excessive fatigue. The Superman Hold and Wall Walks require strong core engagement, so focus on breath control and technique. For the AMRAP, establish a rhythm from the start; aim for unbroken sets of Push Presses and Kettlebell Swings while maintaining a consistent pace on Box Jumps to avoid burnout. Transition quickly but safely between exercises, and keep an eye on the clock. In the final minutes, summon your energy for a strong finish; a surge in intensity can make all the difference in achieving your personal best or improving your rank in the Deacon Memorial Tribute & Holiday Workouts leaderboard.


The "Deacon" - Crossfit Memorial, Tribute & Holiday Workout

the WOD

For Time: 4 Rounds

Superman Hold
Run
Jumping Lunges
Abmat Sit-Ups
Ring Dips
Wall Walks
Superman Hold

how to plan the "Deacon" workout?

Execution and Focus

The workout "Deacon" is a benchmark tribute designed to challenge endurance and strength through two distinct formats. The first part consists of 4 rounds for time, incorporating movements like the Superman Hold, running, Jumping Lunges, Abmat Sit-Ups, Ring Dips, Wall Walks, and finishing with another Superman Hold. This sequence tests muscular endurance and cardiovascular capacity, pushing athletes to their limits while maintaining proper form. The second component, an AMRAP (As Many Rounds As Possible) in 20 minutes, features 10 Push Presses, 10 Kettlebell Swings, and 10 Box Jumps, creating a dynamic cycle that emphasizes total body conditioning and explosive power. Together, these elements make Deacon a comprehensive test that honors the spirit of fitness and resilience in a memorial context.

Strategy and Finish

Approach the Deacon workout with a clear strategy to optimize performance. For the 4 rounds, manage your pacing to ensure each movement is executed effectively without excessive fatigue. The Superman Hold and Wall Walks require strong core engagement, so focus on breath control and technique. For the AMRAP, establish a rhythm from the start; aim for unbroken sets of Push Presses and Kettlebell Swings while maintaining a consistent pace on Box Jumps to avoid burnout. Transition quickly but safely between exercises, and keep an eye on the clock. In the final minutes, summon your energy for a strong finish; a surge in intensity can make all the difference in achieving your personal best or improving your rank in the Deacon Memorial Tribute & Holiday Workouts leaderboard.


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How do you perform the Deacon workout

Learn how to crush this workout

For the Deacon workout, complete four rounds as quickly as possible. Begin with a Superman hold, engaging your core and back muscles while holding for a few seconds. Transition to a run, aiming for a moderate pace to keep your heart rate elevated. Follow with jumping lunges, ensuring proper form and depth in each lunge. After that, perform Abmat sit-ups, focusing on full range of motion.

Next, do ring dips, maintaining control throughout the movement, and then proceed to wall walks, aiming for a high level of shoulder engagement. Conclude each round with another Superman hold.

For the AMRAP, cycle through 10 push presses, 10 kettlebell swings, and 10 box jumps. Use a barbell for the push press, engaging your legs effectively. Keep transitions quick and focus on consistent movement.

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An image showing someone getting ready to scale the Deacon workout

How do you scale the workout

The wod "Deacon" can be done by everyone

For the Superman Hold, reduce the time held to 20-30 seconds if necessary, or perform a standard superman on your stomach. For the run, consider walking or using a stationary bike for 5 minutes instead.

When it comes to Jumping Lunges, modify to regular lunges or decrease the depth of the lunge if needed. For Abmat Sit-Ups, scale the movement to a crunch or perform them with knees bent.

For Ring Dips, use a band for assistance or substitute with bench dips. Wall Walks can be modified by reducing the height of the feet or practicing with a wall push-up.

Scale the Push Press by using lighter weights, around 30-40% of your max. For Kettlebell Swings, consider a lighter kettlebell or perform American swings at a lower height. Box Jumps can be swapped for step-ups or a lower box for safety.

Adjust the total workout time to maintain intensity while ensuring you're able to complete all rounds effectively.

How do you score the WOD

See if you beat your friends in the wod "Deacon"

Your score for the benchmark workout Deacon is calculated based on the total number of full rounds completed in each segment, plus any additional repetitions after the final full round.

For the "For Time: 4 Rounds" section, count each completed round and add any extra reps from the Superman Hold, Run, Jumping Lunges, Abmat Sit-Ups, Ring Dips, Wall Walks, and the final Superman Hold.

In the "AMRAP 20" section, track the completed rounds of 10 Push Presses, 10 Kettlebell Swings, and 10 Box Jumps. The total score combines the two segments, yielding a sum of full rounds and additional reps.

For example, if you complete 3 rounds and finish with 5 Jumping Lunges and 7 Push Presses, your score would be 3 full rounds + 5 + 7 = 15 total reps.

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An image showing two athletes getting the tips and strategy for the Deacon workout

What are the tips and strategy to use

Here is how to gain an edge in the "Deacon"

Approach the benchmark workout Deacon with a strategic mindset. For the "For Time" portion, maintain a steady pace during the run to conserve energy for the more strenuous exercises. Break the Superman Holds into manageable intervals to keep your core engaged without fatigue.

Transition quickly between exercises, but not at the expense of form. During the AMRAP 20, find a rhythm with your push presses to maintain stamina. Focus on using your hips to power the kettlebell swings, reducing strain on your shoulders.

For box jumps, practice controlled landings and explosive take-offs. This will help maintain consistency and safety throughout the workout, ensuring you complete each round effectively while minimizing fatigue.

What is a good score for the Deacon workout

Check out how you did in the "Deacon"

For the Deacon workout, the score is evaluated based on two components: the 'For Time' and the 'AMRAP' sections.

For the 'For Time' portion, a good time to complete all 4 rounds is around 12–15 minutes for intermediates, 8–10 minutes for advanced, and under 6 minutes for elite athletes.

In the 'AMRAP 20' section, an intermediate score would be roughly 6-8 rounds, advanced athletes should aim for 10-12 rounds, while elite participants can expect 14+ rounds. A total of 200+ reps combined across both segments would signify exceptional performance.

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What is the intended stimulus for the Deacon workout

What part of your body is being challenged in the "Deacon"

The benchmark workout known as Deacon is intended to assess and challenge an athlete's overall fitness across multiple domains, including endurance, strength, and coordination.

The first segment, consisting of four rounds, emphasizes core stability and upper body strength through exercises like the Superman Hold, Ring Dips, and Wall Walks. The inclusion of running and jumping lunges adds a cardiovascular component, ensuring athletes are pushed to their limits.

The second part, an AMRAP for 20 minutes, focuses on explosive movements and dynamic strength with Push Presses, Kettlebell Swings, and Box Jumps. This format aims to build muscular endurance while testing the capacity to sustain high-intensity efforts over time.

What is the World record for the Deacon workout

What is the fastest score for "Deacon"

The world record for the workout titled Deacon, which includes 4 rounds of exercises for time, combines various strength and conditioning components. The best times reported in the CrossFit community for Deacon generally range from 10 to 12 minutes for elite male athletes, while elite female athletes typically finish between 12 and 14 minutes.

For the AMRAP section of the workout, top scores vary significantly, with elite male athletes achieving around 6 to 8 rounds and elite female athletes completing approximately 5 to 7 rounds. Achieving these scores requires exceptional conditioning and efficiency in movement patterns.

Both segments of this workout demand a high level of endurance and strength, making it a true test of fitness.

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Who are we honoring with the Workout "Deacon"

Why are we doing the "Deacon" workout?

The workout "Deacon" honors Deacon McClain, a beloved member of the community known for his unwavering dedication to fitness and support for others. His passion for health and wellness inspired many and left a lasting impact on those around him.

Deacon's legacy is celebrated through this challenging workout, which emphasizes strength, endurance, and camaraderie. Each movement reflects the spirit he embodied, encouraging participants to push their limits and strive for personal growth.

This tribute not only showcases physical challenges but also fosters a sense of unity and remembrance among athletes.

What kind of exercises are in the Deacon The workout?

  • push press

    The push press is a powerful overhead movement where the athlete uses a dip-drive of the legs to assist in pressing a weight overhead. A mainstay in push press workouts, it blends lower-body drive with upper-body pressing strength.

    In this workout, push presses build shoulder endurance, triceps power, and explosive leg extension. The movement teaches efficient energy transfer and is ideal for conditioning, barbell cycling, or building overhead capacity in strength blocks.

  • ring dip

    Ring dips are a high-skill upper-body strength movement performed on gymnastic rings, requiring control, stability, and pressing power. Common in ring dip workouts, this movement targets the chest, shoulders, and triceps—while demanding intense core and shoulder stabilization.

    In this workout, ring dips develop pushing strength and gymnastic control, forming a key progression toward muscle-ups and other advanced movements. The instability of the rings forces full-body engagement, making ring dips a true test of upper-body strength and control in functional fitness.

  • abmat sit-up

    The AbMat situp is a popular core exercise in CrossFit and functional training. Using an AbMat supports your lower back and allows for a full range of motion, helping to strengthen your abs more effectively than traditional sit-ups.

    In this workout, AbMat sit-ups challenge your core endurance, improve midline stability, and balance out more explosive movements like lifts or jumps. Whether you're scaling or RX'ing, the AbMat situp is a simple, powerful tool for core development.

  • Box jump

    The box jump is a plyometric movement that builds explosive power, coordination, and lower body strength. It’s a key component in many high-intensity box jump workouts, often used to develop speed, agility, and stamina.

    In this workout, box jumps challenge your legs, core, and cardiovascular system, while also training quick reaction and balance. Whether performed at a moderate pace or in sprint intervals, the box jump is a powerful tool for improving athletic performance.

  • wall walk

    The wall walk is a challenging bodyweight movement that builds shoulder strength, core stability, and coordination. Popular in gymnastics-style training and wall walk workouts, it requires control and confidence moving upside down.

    In this workout, wall walks train overhead pressing strength and midline engagement while developing skills for handstand-based movements. Whether scaled or RX, the wall walk is a highly effective way to build upper body endurance and body awareness.

  • kettlebell swing

    The kettlebell swing is a powerful hip-hinge movement that builds posterior chain strength, core stability, and cardiovascular endurance. A go-to in any kettlebell swing workout, it’s known for improving explosiveness, grip, and conditioning in one efficient motion.

    In this workout, kettlebell swings train your glutes, hamstrings, and shoulders, while developing rhythm and control. Whether Russian or American style, the kettlebell swing is a versatile tool for both beginners and advanced athletes.

  • running

    Running is one of the most effective ways to build cardiovascular endurance, leg strength, and mental toughness. A foundational element in many running workouts, it adds intensity and pacing challenges to both short sprints and longer distances.

    In this workout, running boosts your engine, footwork, and recovery capacity, especially when paired with strength or skill-based movements. Whether you're hitting meters or minutes, running is essential for building a well-rounded fitness base.

Our own Workouts with the same "For Time, AMRAP" format

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