CrossFit’s New One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Workout
Credit: Bryan Blackburn

CrossFit lovers who are looking to enhance their normal routine might want to check out CrossFit’s newest One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest workout. The program is designed to test your endurance and technical precision, bringing you to your limit. The workout uses intervals and strict gymnastic elements to give you a workout that will strengthen your whole body. Learn more below.

1. Intense Interval Training – Five Rounds of Challenge

CrossFit’s New One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Workout
Credit: CrossFit

The workout consists of five rounds, with each one lasting two minutes. First, athletes will complete 48 double unders, then a descending number of push jerks. The goal of this routine is to maximize bar-facing burpees with the remaining time left. Ideal weights for this are 155/105 lb, making this workout both demanding for cardiovascular endurance and barbell movements under pressure.

2. Emphasis on Handstand Push-Ups – Strict Strength Development

hand stand push ups
Credit: CrossFit

A key part of this workout that incorporates the gymnastic movements is the handstand push-ups. These are completed every minute for ten minutes. The exercise centers around pressing strength, but also a solid body position. This will help with pressing endurance and strength. You can also modify the handstand push-ups to accommodate your skill level before moving up to the full handstand push-up.

3. Building Towards Mastery – Progressions for Handstand Push-Ups

overhead dumbbell press
Credit: Howcast

To get to the full handstand push-up, beginners will want to start with push-ups in a down dog position. Then, after this movement is mastered, slowly elevate their feet. You can also build upper-body strength with overhead dumbbell or kettlebell presses. Utilizing ab mats or parallettes for deficit handstand push-ups may also help with depth and control.

4. Structured Training – Patience and Consistency

handstand hold
Credit: Marcus Filly

To fully master the handstand push-up in the One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest workout, you need to create a structured program that builds up to the full movement. Make sure to add in negative movements, handstand holds, and assisted variations to build the most muscle growth. Developing your shoulder mobility is paramount, and ideally, you’ll want to be able to press 75-80% of your body weight to perform the movement.

5. Overall Session – A Comprehensive Fitness Test

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest workout routine
Credit: Bryan Blackburn

The One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest workout doesn’t just build strength in your body but also increases your technical skill and endurance. By combining the workout with handstand push-ups, athletes can enjoy increased resilience, technical proficiency, and aerobic capacity. When completing these workouts, coaches can be extremely helpful, as they can recommend modifications and make sure each movement has proper form.

Wrap-Up

man doing double unders
Credit: CrossFit

By adding this new and exciting CrossFit workout into your routine, you can turn your weekly workouts into a strong foundation for reaching your fitness goals. Try adding these movements into your training as soon as possible and see how you can elevate your performance to the next level, and perfect a handstand push-up.