Mobility Prep and Activation
- 2:00 Cardio Choice
- :30/:30 World's Greatest Stretch
- 5/5 Open Book Thoracic Rotations
- :30 Alternating Scorpions
- :20 Wrist Circles (each direction)
General Prep
- 2 Sets
- :30 Jump Rope Practice
- 6 Romanian Deadlifts
- 6 Tall Muscle Cleans
- 6 Front Squats
- 4 Tall Cleans (Crisp Footwork / Turnover and Pull into Front Rack)
- 15 Double Unders or 30 Single Unders
- 4 Hang Cleans @ light loads added
- 3 Hang Cleans @ moderate loads added
- 2 Hang Cleans @ 5-10% below starting weights
Hang Clean
Build to a heavy double hang clean over 5 sets, starting at 60% and increasing by feel to around 8/10 RPE
Level 1
Every 3:00 x 5 Sets: 5 Hang Power Cleans + 3 Front Squats. This can be used to reinforce quality positions and provide a little more stimulus for those that really aren't loading heavy for the day.
| 1RM (kg) | 60% | 65% | 70% | 75% | 80% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 24 |
| 35 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 28 |
| 40 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 |
| 45 | 27 | 29 | 32 | 34 | 36 |
| 50 | 30 | 33 | 35 | 38 | 40 |
| 55 | 33 | 36 | 39 | 41 | 44 |
| 60 | 36 | 39 | 42 | 45 | 48 |
| 70 | 42 | 46 | 49 | 53 | 56 |
| 80 | 48 | 52 | 56 | 60 | 64 |
| 90 | 54 | 59 | 63 | 68 | 72 |
| 100 | 60 | 65 | 70 | 75 | 80 |
| 110 | 66 | 72 | 77 | 83 | 88 |
Checkmate
Barbell cycling triplet with 3 rounds of deadlifts, power cleans, and hang squat cleans, separated by 30 double unders between each movement. Difficulty increases as fatigue accumulates.
-
15
Deadlifts
61kg43kg
- 30 Double Unders
-
12
Power Cleans
61kg43kg
- 30 Double Unders
-
9
Hang Squat Cleans
61kg43kg
- 30 Double Unders
-
15
Deadlifts
43kg30kg
- 30 Double Unders
-
12
Power Cleans
43kg30kg
- 30 Double Unders
-
9
Hang Squat Cleans
43kg30kg
- 30 Double Unders
-
12
Deadlifts
30kg20kg
- 50 Single Unders
-
9
Power Cleans
30kg20kg
- 50 Single Unders
-
6
Hang Squat Cleans
30kg20kg
- 50 Single Unders
PRVN Mobility #2
- :30/:30 KB Calf Smash
- 1:00/1:00 Active Pigeon Stretch
- 1:00/1:00 Crossbody Lat Stretch
- 1:00 Updog Pose
Optional Accessories
- 6-8 GHD Back Extensions
- :30-:40 Weighted Sorenson Hold
- 6/6 Single Leg Pistol Step-Down
Primary: Manage the barbell across all three rounds. The loading descends in difficulty from deadlift to power clean to hang squat clean, but the fatigue accumulates in the opposite direction. Athletes who go out too hot on the deadlifts will feel it on the hang squat cleans by round 2.
Secondary: Consistency on the Jump Rope. 30 Double Unders each set is manageable if athletes stay composed. Tripping repeatedly on the rope bleeds time and spikes the heart rate going back into the barbell.
Strategy
"Checkmate" is a barbell cycling piece that uses the rope as a recovery and reset tool between each movement. The structure builds in grip management and difficulty as the round progresses deadlifts into power cleans into hang squat cleans. This will demand more technical output as fatigue accumulates. Smart athletes will treat the double unders as a breathing window, not a sprint. Deadlifts: Should be fast and cyclical. Touch-and-go reps are generally the play, but the focus is consistent mechanics and controlled breathing. Breathe at the top of each rep and stay connected to the bar. Power Cleans: 12 reps is a moderate ask, but the fatigue from the deadlifts will already be present in the posterior chain. Singles or quick 2-3 rep clusters are the smart play here. Focus on a fast turnover and a strong front rack catch. Cycling through with sloppy elbows will cost time in the hang squat cleans that follow. Hang Squat Cleans: This is the most technical and demanding movement of the triplet and comes at the end of each round. 9 reps should be deliberate and controlled. Focus on a strong dip and drive from the hang, an aggressive turnover, and a solid catch in the bottom of the squat. Athletes should focus on good quality reps and control here focusing on a quality front rack position and a tall upright torso out the squat. Double Unders: 30 reps between every movement. Stay smooth and rhythmic, not explosive. This is a breathing and reset window, not a sprint. Athletes who stay calm on the rope will arrive at the next barbell movement composed and ready to move well.
Modifications
Deadlifts: Reduce Load / Reduce Reps / Adjust to Romanian Deadlifts / Adjust to Dual Dumbbell Deadlifts. Power Cleans: Reduce Load / Reduce Reps / Adjust to Hang Power Cleans / Adjust to Dual Dumbbell Power Cleans. Hang Squat Cleans: Reduce Load / Adjust to Front Squats / Adjust to Goblet Squats / Adjust to Dual Dumbbell Hang Squat Cleans. Double Unders: Reduce Reps / Adjust to Single Unders (50 reps) / Adjust to Penguin Jumps / Adjust to Lateral Hops.