For time: 2 rounds of: 12 burpees over the bar, 12 cleans (65/95 lb), 12 burpees over the bar, 12 thrusters (65/95 lb), 2 rounds of: 12 burpees over the bar, 12 cleans (75/115 lb), 12 burpees over the bar, 12 thrusters (75/115 lb), 2 rounds of: 12 burpees over the bar, 12 cleans (85/135 lb), 12 burpees over the bar, 12 thrusters (85/135 lb)
Primary movement: Burpees/Cleans/Thrusters
Open 26.3 closed the 2026 Open with an ascending-load barbell gauntlet: 2 rounds each at three rising weights of 12 burpees over the bar, 12 cleans, 12 burpees over the bar and 12 thrusters - at 95/65, then 115/75, then 135/85 lb - within a 16-minute cap. That's 144 burpees-plus-barbell reps where the bar gets heavier exactly as you get more tired. Like 25.2 before it, the ascending structure creates gates: the final thrusters at 135/85 after 100+ reps of work are the workout's real question.
| Level (Time) | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| beginner | 16:00 (cap) | 16:00 (cap) |
| intermediate | 15:00 | 15:30 |
| advanced | 13:00 | 13:45 |
| elite | sub 11:00 | sub 11:45 |
16-minute cap; scores at the cap are total reps completed.
The burpees are half the workout (72 reps) - set a step-over pace you can hold for 16 minutes and treat it as sacred. First weight: cleans and thrusters unbroken or in two quick sets. Second weight: cleans in singles or 3s, thrusters 7-5. Final weight: confident singles on cleans and premeditated 4-4-4 thrusters; a failed thruster at 135/85 in minute 14 is devastating. Plan your plate changes - fast, calm loading between sections is free time.
Official scaled used 65/45, 85/55 and 95/65 lb (see the Scaled entry). Training version: keep the ascending format with three weights you can thruster for 8+ reps fresh.
Log every result, see your progress over time, and know exactly where you stand.