For time
18 Knee raises/knees to elbows/Toes to bar
16 Snatch - RX: 35/50
16/20 Cal row
16 Thrusters - RX: 35/50
14 Burpees over rower
16 Thrusters
16/20 Cal row
16 Snatch
18 Knee raises/knees to elbows/Toes to bar
TC: 17

4 Strict Deficit Handstand Push-Ups - @4/2 in
3 Power Cleans - @225/155 lb
2 Ring Muscle-Ups
1 Power Snatch - @225/155 lb
The Nightmare Before Christmas is a unique benchmark workout designed to challenge both strength and endurance. With a total of 30 rounds for time, the structure keeps athletes engaged while testing their limits. Each round consists of 4 strict deficit handstand push-ups, 3 power cleans, 2 ring muscle-ups, and 1 power snatch. This combination targets multiple muscle groups, emphasizing shoulder stability, explosive power, and gymnastics skill. The workout is perfect for intermediate and advanced athletes looking to improve their overall fitness while embracing the holiday spirit.
To maximize performance in The Nightmare Before Christmas, athletes should start at a controlled pace to manage fatigue throughout the 30 rounds. Each round may take approximately 60–90 seconds, depending on individual proficiency. Prioritize unbroken sets on the handstand push-ups in the early rounds, but be prepared to break sets later for shoulder recovery. The power cleans should be quick yet efficient, while the ring muscle-ups will test your grip and technique. Use a strong pull on the power snatch to maintain momentum. In the final push, dig deep and fight for every second, as finishing strong can significantly impact your standing in the leaderboard for The Nightmare Before Christmas Memorial Tribute & Holiday Workouts.
4 Strict Deficit Handstand Push-Ups - @4/2 in
3 Power Cleans - @225/155 lb
2 Ring Muscle-Ups
1 Power Snatch - @225/155 lb
The Nightmare Before Christmas is a unique benchmark workout designed to challenge both strength and endurance. With a total of 30 rounds for time, the structure keeps athletes engaged while testing their limits. Each round consists of 4 strict deficit handstand push-ups, 3 power cleans, 2 ring muscle-ups, and 1 power snatch. This combination targets multiple muscle groups, emphasizing shoulder stability, explosive power, and gymnastics skill. The workout is perfect for intermediate and advanced athletes looking to improve their overall fitness while embracing the holiday spirit.
To maximize performance in The Nightmare Before Christmas, athletes should start at a controlled pace to manage fatigue throughout the 30 rounds. Each round may take approximately 60–90 seconds, depending on individual proficiency. Prioritize unbroken sets on the handstand push-ups in the early rounds, but be prepared to break sets later for shoulder recovery. The power cleans should be quick yet efficient, while the ring muscle-ups will test your grip and technique. Use a strong pull on the power snatch to maintain momentum. In the final push, dig deep and fight for every second, as finishing strong can significantly impact your standing in the leaderboard for The Nightmare Before Christmas Memorial Tribute & Holiday Workouts.

Perform 30 rounds of the following exercises for time. Start with 4 strict deficit handstand push-ups, ensuring that your head touches the ground below your hands for a deeper range of motion. Maintain a strong core and stable hand placement throughout the movement.
Next, complete 3 power cleans while keeping the barbell close to your body, engaging your legs and hips to generate power. Focus on a solid catch position with your elbows high and your feet shoulder-width apart.
Follow this with 2 ring muscle-ups, emphasizing the transition from the pull-up to the dip. Use controlled movements to keep the rings stable as you push your body upward.
Finish each round with 1 power snatch, performing this explosive lift with speed and precision, ensuring that you achieve full extension at the top.


For the 30 Rounds for Time workout, consider reducing the number of rounds to a more manageable amount, like 20 or 15 rounds. This keeps the workout challenging while making it achievable.
Modify the strict deficit handstand push-ups by using a lower deficit or performing standard handstand push-ups. For the power cleans, scale the weight down to 40-60 lbs to ensure you can maintain good form.
If ring muscle-ups are too advanced, substitute them with 2-3 pull-ups and 2-3 dips per round. Finally, for the power snatch, reduce the weight to 55-75 lbs or consider performing a hang power snatch to minimize complexity.
Your score for the workout "The Nightmare Before Christmas" is determined by the total number of complete rounds you finish, along with any additional repetitions completed after your last full round.
The workout consists of 30 rounds for time, with each round consisting of 4 Strict Deficit Handstand Push-Ups, 3 Power Cleans, 2 Ring Muscle-Ups, and 1 Power Snatch. To calculate your score, count the total full rounds you finish, and then add any additional repetitions performed in the final round.
For example, if you complete 12 full rounds plus an additional 5 Power Cleans in the last round, your score would be 12 rounds + 5 reps, totaling 365 repetitions for the workout.


Begin with a steady pace—avoid going all out in the initial rounds. Prioritize form over speed during the handstand push-ups to conserve energy. Break the power cleans into manageable sets if fatigue sets in. For the muscle-ups, practice a smooth transition to maintain momentum and avoid burnout. Focus on explosive power during the snatch to maximize efficiency and minimize grip fatigue.
Utilize a strategic breathing technique to optimize your oxygen intake, especially during the more taxing movements. Efficient transitions between exercises can save valuable time, so plan your movements to minimize downtime. Lastly, maintain mental focus throughout the workout, using positive self-talk to push through the challenging rounds.
For the workout titled The Nightmare Before Christmas, which consists of 30 rounds for time, a solid score would vary based on your experience level. Intermediate athletes should aim for a time of 25–30 minutes. Advanced athletes might finish in the range of 20–25 minutes. Elite athletes should aim for under 20 minutes to demonstrate exceptional efficiency and endurance.
Finishing this workout within these timeframes indicates good pacing, technique, and muscular endurance. Consistently achieving these times can lead to improved performance in high-intensity workouts.
Any score that exceeds these benchmarks highlights a strong ability to maintain speed and effectiveness throughout the 30 rounds, showcasing overall fitness and workout mastery.


The Nightmare Before Christmas workout aims to develop a combination of strength, power, and muscular endurance while maintaining an elevated heart rate. Each round increases cumulative fatigue, challenging athletes to maintain form and efficiency throughout.
The strict deficit handstand push-ups engage shoulder strength and stability, while the power cleans demand explosive power and coordination. Ring muscle-ups test upper body strength and transition skill, requiring athletes to focus on technique and rhythm.
The power snatch serves as a finale to each round—combining strength and speed, it forces athletes to push through fatigue and maintain mental focus. Overall, this workout is designed to build resilience and toughness, simulating a high-stakes competition environment.
The world record for the workout titled The Nightmare Before Christmas has not been officially confirmed. However, reports from the CrossFit community suggest highly competitive times for elite athletes.
Unofficial top scores indicate that elite men can complete the workout in around 15 to 17 minutes, while elite women tend to finish between 18 to 20 minutes. Achieving these times requires exceptional skill and strength, particularly in the handstand push-ups, muscle-ups, and power movements.
These athletes typically maintain a vigorous pace, with the goal of achieving sub-1-minute rounds across the entirety of the workout, despite the significant fatigue that builds over such an intense sequence.


The workout titled "The Nightmare Before Christmas" is dedicated to honoring the beloved characters and themes from the classic holiday film. It pays tribute to the unmistakable charm of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, and his adventurous spirit as he explores the holidays beyond Halloween.
This workout embodies the creative and transformative journey of embracing new challenges, much like the film's message of self-discovery and celebration of individuality. Each movement in the routine reflects the dynamic and whimsical essence of the story, encouraging participants to push their limits.
burpee over rower workout, for time workout, knee raises workout, knees to elbows workout, power snatch workout, row workout, thruster workout, toes to bar workout
18 Knee raises/knees to elbows/Toes to bar
16 Snatch - RX: 35/50
16/20 Cal row
16 Thrusters - RX: 35/50
14 Burpees over rower
16 Thrusters
16/20 Cal row
16 Snatch
18 Knee raises/knees to elbows/Toes to bar
TC: 17
assault bike workout, box jump workout, dumbbell push press workout, for time workout, knee raises workout, knees to elbows workout, ski erg workout, toes to bar workout, weighted box step over workout
21-15-9
Knee raises/knees to elbows/T2B
Cal Assault bike
Bojumps
2 min rest
21-15-9
DB Push press -
Cal Ski
Weighted bostep overs -
TC: 24
assault bike workout, row workout, ski erg workout
Choose your weapon: bike, ski, or row.
40-30-20-10-20-30-40 cal
Rest 1:1 between each round
TC: 25
bike erg workout, dumbbell thruster workout, for time workout
10-8-6-4-2
DB Thrusters -
20-16-12-8-4
Cal Bike
TC: 8
bar muscle up workout, burpee pull-up workout, cluster workout, double under workout, shuttle run workout
10-8-6-4-2 Shuttle runs
Burpee pull up / Bar muscle up
100-80-60-40-20 Double unders
2-4-6-8-10 Clusters
TC: 23