Benchmark WOD

Heavy DT

The Workout

5 Rounds For Time: 12 Deadlift (205/145 lb), 9 Hang Power Cleans (205/145 lb), 6 Push Jerk (205/145 lb)

Primary movement: Heavy Barbell Cycling

What is Heavy DT?

Heavy DT is DT's crueler older brother, made famous at the 2015 CrossFit Games: 5 rounds for time of 12 deadlifts, 9 hang power cleans and 6 push jerks at 205/145 lb. Same 135 reps, but at a load where most athletes can't hide behind conditioning - every rep is a real lift. Heavy DT is a strength-endurance benchmark: it measures how much of your barbell strength survives when your heart rate is maxed and your grip is cooked.

What is a good Heavy DT time?

Level (Time)MenWomen
beginner20:00+22:00+
intermediate14:0015:30
advanced10:0011:00
elitesub 8:00sub 9:00

Tips & Strategy

Plan breaks before you need them: deadlifts in 6-6 or 6-5-1, cleans in 3s, jerks in 3-3 or quick singles. At this load a failed rep costs 10+ seconds and real energy - stay at 90% effort per set. Reset your hook grip every set; grip is the true limiter. Belt up if you normally lift with one. If 205/145 is above ~60% of your 1RM clean, do regular DT instead - the stimulus will be better.

Scaled & Beginner Versions

Scaled: 5 rounds at 155/105 lb (that's regular DT - a great goal in itself), or 165/115 lb as an intermediate step. The point of Heavy DT is moving a genuinely heavy bar under fatigue; scale to the heaviest load you can cycle safely in small sets.

Track your Heavy DT PR

Log every result, see your progress over time, and know exactly where you stand.