Kalsu
For TimeIn honor of James Robert Kalsu, the only active professional football player to die in the Vietnam War. This brutal workout requires 100 thrusters at 135/95 lb, with 5 burpees at the start of every minute—including minute zero. It's one of the most challenging CrossFit workouts ever created.
100 Thrusters for time with EMOM burpee penalty
- 1Thrusters (135/95 lb)
- 2Burpees (5 at the start of each minute)
Beginner
30-45 minutes
Intermediate
22-30 minutes
Advanced
15-22 minutes
Kalsu is one of the most brutal workouts in CrossFit. Complete 100 thrusters at 135/95 lb, but at the start of every minute (including minute 0), you must perform 5 burpees.
- Do 5 burpees at 0:00, then immediately start thrusters
- Maximize thruster reps between burpee sets
- If you do less than 10 thrusters per minute, the workout extends dramatically
- Break thrusters strategically—small sets with quick rest
- This is a 20-40 minute grind—pace accordingly
Pacing
Sustainable, consistent work. You need 10+ thrusters per minute to finish in a reasonable time. Don't burn out early.
Scaled
- Thrusters (95/65 lb)
- Burpees (5 at the start of each minute)
RX+
- Thrusters (155/105 lb)
- Burpees (5 at the start of each minute)
Elite
sub 15:00
Advanced
15:00-22:00
Intermediate
22:00-32:00
Beginner
32:00-45:00
Light Kalsu
Reduced thruster weight
Half Kalsu
Reduced thruster reps
Kalsu 3
Reduced burpee penalty