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The Ultimate 4-Week CrossFit Program (with PDF)
We’re proud to announce our ultimate 4-week CrossFit Workout Plan that is designed to improve your cardiorespiratory capacity, stamina, endurance, and strength.
This program is for all fitness levels and abilities. Whether you’re CrossFit-curious and thinking about joining or just want to get better at CrossFit in general, this workout plan is for you!
We also offer the program in a downloadable and printable PDF format so that you can take it with you wherever you go.
Jump to the program.
4-Week CrossFit Program In a Nutshell
Program style | CrossFit |
Program duration | 4 weeks |
WOD duration | 1 hour |
Scheduling | 5 days on, 2 days off |
Goal | Increase strength and conditioning |
Level | Beginner to advanced |
Equipment needed | Barbell, bumper plates, pull up bar, kettlebells, dumbbells, rower, bike erg, ski erg, gymnastics rings, plyometrics box, medicine ball, ab mat, climbing rope, skipping rope, resistance bands, foam roller |
Will This Program Help Me Build Muscle?
This CrossFit Workout Plan can definitely help you build muscle mass. Look at these buff dudes below.
The guy in the middle is Rich Froning, arguably the greatest CrossFitter to ever live, won the CrossFit Games 4 times in a row. The guy on the left, Matt Chan and the tank on the right, Jason Khalipa are also both seasoned CrossFit athletes.
Now, we’re not saying you’re going to end up looking like these dudes after 4 weeks, but you’d be developing the foundational skills and strength to be able to, just by doing this program!
CrossFit incorporates a plethora of traditional and Olympic weightlifting methodologies as part of its training as well as plenty of bodyweight and calisthenics type exercises that all lead to muscle gains and lean bulk.
Although this program is only for 4 weeks, you will notice a difference in your body composition by the end of it. However, keep in mind that this workout plan has been designed as a stepping stone for you to take up CrossFit beyond this program so that you to take your muscle gains to the next level!
Workout Plan Structure
When devising this 4 week program, we found it imperative that we preserve the fundamental trait that makes the discipline of CrossFit so unique: constantly varied functional movements done at high intensity. At the same time we also wanted to make sure that the workouts we program all satisfy the following criteria:
- Promotes new skill development
- Combines multiple exercise modalities
- Includes technical movements, and
- Activates all 3 metabolic pathways
So we went back to the roots of CrossFit and obtained inspiration from the original CrossFit programming template. This template not only embraces the criteria we listed above but also breaks down all CrossFit movements and groups them into 1 of 3 modalities:
- Gymnastics (G)
- Metabolic conditioning (M)
- Weightlifting (W)
In the CrossFit program we designed, we will be referring to these modalities as G, M, and W, respectively. Each modality on their own improves one’s fitness capabilities in different ways. But as a combination, they form a potent mix that will help increase agility, bodyweight control, coordination, cardio capacity, and strength and power.
Movements Used in the Program
Below are the list of movements you will be performing as part of this 4 week program categorised into their respective modalities:
Gymnastics | Metabolic Conditioning | Weightlifting |
---|---|---|
Air Squats Pull-ups Push-ups Dips Handstand Push-ups Rope Climbs Muscle-Ups Sit-ups V-ups Box Jumps Lunges Pistols Toes to bar | Run Bike Row Ski Double Unders Wall Balls Burpees | Back Squats Front Squats Overhead Squats Deadlifts Cleans Presses Snatches Clean and Jerks Medicine Ball Drills Kettlebell Swings Thrusters Deadlift High-pulls Man makers |
Program Scheduling
The scheduling used in this program will go by a 5 day on, 2 day rest pattern, for a 7 day week. That means you’ll be training for 5 days in a row and then resting for 2 days.
5 days straight of training is gruelling to say the least, so a couple of rest days were added to break up the WODs and allow some time for rest and recovery.
The WOD formulated for each workout day will include movements from 1, 2, or 3 modalities and will be run in various formats that include: Tabata, EMOM, RFT, and AMRAP, just to name a few.
The entire program will run for 4 weeks and the modalities involved in each day is as follows:
Day | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
WOD | W | M G | W M G | W M | G | REST | REST |
Day | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
WOD | M | G W | M G W | M G | W | REST | REST |
Day | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
WOD | G | W M | G W M | G W | M | REST | REST |
Day | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
WOD | W | M G | W M G | W M | G | REST | REST |
We believe that this workout structure and varied combination of modalities will allow for maximum intensity without overtraining the body as well as provide a perfect blend of skill, strength, and conditioning.
The daily workout will consist of the following elements in chronological order:
- Warm up. Gets the blood pumping and stimulates the muscles in anticipation for the grilling it’s about to receive! We provide specific warm up exercises tailored for the movements to be performed on the day.
- Mobility. Prepares the muscles that are going to be utilised for the movements to be performed in the workouts so that range of motion is maximised and risk of injury is minimised.
- Strength/skills. Focuses on exercises that will help complement the upcoming WOD.
- WOD. The main workout that implements the scheduled modalities for that day. This will be intense but the previous phases would have prepared you well to allow you to perform at your best.
- Cool down. Helps take your heart rate back down to normal and usually involves stretching.
All of these elements work together to facilitate and complement the targeted modalities for that day.
Can I Scale the WODs in this Program?
Yes of course! Not everyone will be at the same level of abilities and we would prefer that you did not miss any of the workout days if possible.
That’s why we encourage you to scale the workouts if needed to take full advantage of the program’s benefits.
The 4-Week CrossFit Program
Week 1
Day 1 (W)
Warmup | Run 400m |
Mobility | Banded kneeling lat stretch |
Skill/strength | Barbell upright rows 5 x 8 reps (build up in weight if capable) |
WOD | EMOM 10 mins 1 Rope climb (95 / 65) |
Cooldown | Floor lat stretch |
Equipment | Resistance band, barbell, bumper plates |
Day 2 (M,G)
Warmup | Bike 20 cals |
Mobility | Roll out quads with foam roller |
Skill/strength | Dumbbell lunges 5 x 5 reps (build up in weight if capable) |
WOD | 7 min AMRAP 8 Wall balls (20 / 14) 12 Overhead plate lunges (95 / 65) |
Cooldown | Couch stretch |
Equipment | Bike, dumbbells, wall ball, bumper plates, foam roller |
Day 3 (W,M,G)
Warmup | Row 20 cals |
Mobility | Standing hamstring stretch |
Skill/strength | Deadlift 5 x 5 reps (build up in weight if capable) |
WOD | 5 Rounds for time 5 Deadlifts (135# / 95#) 10 Burpees 15 Box jumps (24″ / 20″) |
Cooldown | Hurdle stretch |
Equipment | Rower, barbell, plyobox, bumper plates |
Day 4 (W,M)
Warmup | Ski 20 cals 50 single skips |
Mobility | 20 shoulder dislocates Barbell front rack stretch |
Skill/strength | Front Squat 5 x 5 reps (build up in weight if capable) |
WOD | 5 Rounds 5 Front Squats (110# / 75#) 200m sprint Rest 1 min |
Cooldown | Couch stretch |
Equipment | Ski erg, skipping rope, broomstick, barbell, bumper plates |
Day 5 (G)
Warmup | Run 200m Row 200m |
Mobility | Banded overhead lat stretch |
Skill/strength | Strict pull ups 5 x 5 reps (scale with bands if necessary) |
WOD | 3 Rounds Max effort kipping pull ups Rest 1 min |
Cooldown | Wall lat stretch |
Equipment | Rower, resistance band, pull up bar |
Day 6 (REST)
Day 7 (REST)
Week 2
Day 8 (M)
Warmup | Row 200m |
Mobility | Spiderman with thoracic rotation |
Skill/strength | Dumbbell bent over row 5 x 8 reps (build up in weight if capable) |
WOD | 5 Rounds Max effort 250m row Rest 2 min |
Cooldown | Slow 400m on bike |
Equipment | Rower, dumbbells, bike |
Day 9 (G,W)
Warmup | 100 single skips |
Mobility | Roll out triceps |
Skill/strength | Ring dips 3 x 8 reps |
WOD | 4 Rounds for time 10 Push ups 10 Deadlifts (95# / 65#) |
Cooldown | Spine lumber twist stretch |
Equipment | Skipping rope, rings, barbell, bumper plates |
Day 10 (M,G,W)
Warmup | 50 Air squats 200m run |
Mobility | Roll out quads |
Skill/strength | Back Squat 5 x 8 reps (build up in weight if capable) |
WOD | For time 100 KB Sumo high pulls (44# / 26#) 50 burpees 50 wall balls |
Cooldown | Pigeon stretch Couch Stretch |
Equipment | Foam roller, barbell, bumper plates, kettlebell, wall ball |
Day 11 (M,G)
Warmup | Run 400m |
Mobility | Roll out calves |
Skill/strength | Tabata hollow rocks |
WOD | 50-40-30-20-10 Double unders Sit ups |
Cooldown | Standing wall calf stretch |
Equipment | Skipping rope, rings, barbell, bumper plates |
Day 12 (W)
Warmup | 20m inch worms 200m row |
Mobility | Roll out upper back 10 Wall squats |
Skill/strength | Push jerk 5 x 5 reps (build up in weight if capable) |
WOD | 7 min EMOM 1 Power snatch 2 Overhead squat 7 min EMOM 1 Hang squat snatch 1 Overhead squat 7 min EMOM 1 Full snatch (110# / 75#) |
Cooldown | Pigeon stretch |
Equipment | Rower, foam roller, barbell, bumper plates |
Day 13 (REST)
Day 14 (REST)
Week 3
Day 15 (G)
Warmup | 50 single skips |
Mobility | Overhead triceps stretch Roll out lats |
Skill/strength | Accumulate 3 min of L-sit and hand stand (may use wall) |
WOD | 12-9-6-3 Handstand push ups Ring muscle ups Toes to bars |
Cooldown | Reverse banded lat stretch |
Equipment | Broomstick, foam roller, barbell, bumper plates |
Day 16 (W,M)
Warmup | 50m Crab walk 15 Squat thrusts |
Mobility | Roll out quads Wall chest stretch |
Skill/strength | Front rack lunges 4 x 12 reps (build up in weight if capable) |
WOD | 3 Rounds for time 10 Bench press (95# / 65#) 30 Wall balls |
Cooldown | Standing quad stretch Downward dog hold |
Equipment | Pull up bar, broomstick, foam roller, barbell, bumper plates, bench, wall ball |
Day 17 (G,W,M)
Warmup | 10 Kip swings 400m run |
Mobility | Roll out triceps and lats Chest stretch 20 Shoulder dislocates |
Skill/strength | Snatch grip deadlift 5 x 5 reps (build up in weight if capable) |
WOD | 4 min AMRAP 7 Wall balls 7 KB swings 7 Push ups Rest 1 min, then into 3 min AMRAP 8 KB Sumo deadlift high pulls (53# / 35#) 4 Pull ups 2 Burpees |
Cooldown | Couch stretch Reverse banded lat stretch |
Equipment | Broomstick, foam roller, wall ball, kettlebell |
Day 18 (G,W)
Warmup | 10 Squat thrusts 10 Scap pull ups |
Mobility | Roll out lats and quads |
Skill/strength | Weighted pull ups 5 x 5 reps (build up in weight if capable) |
WOD | 12 min ascending ladder AMRAP 3 Power cleans 3 Jumping pull ups 6 Power cleans 6 Jumping pull ups 9 Power cleans 9 Jumping pull ups etc… |
Cooldown | Cat stretch Pigeon stretch |
Equipment | Broomstick, dip belt, barbell, bumper plates |
Day 19 (M)
Warmup | 200m ski 200m run |
Mobility | Hurdler hamstring stretch Roll out calves |
Skill/strength | Back rack reverse lunges 5 x 6 reps (build up weight if capable) |
WOD | 10 Rounds 100m sprint (max effort) Rest 30 sec |
Cooldown | Pigeon stretch Couch stretch Sitting Wide-leg Adductor Stretch |
Equipment | Ski erg, barbell, bumper plates |
Day 20 (REST)
Day 21 (REST)
Week 4
Day 22 (W)
Warmup | Ski 200m 10 Hindu push ups |
Mobility | Roll out back lats Kneeling banded lat stretch |
Skill/strength | Snatch balance 5 x 3 (build up weight if capable) |
WOD | 10 min AMRAP 5 KB Push presses (44# / 26#) 10 KB Goblet squats 15 KB Swings |
Cooldown | Couch stretch |
Equipment | Ski erg, foam roller, barbell, bumper plates, kettlebell |
Day 23 (M,G)
Warmup | Ski 400m |
Mobility | Roll out quads Calves stretch |
Skill/strength | Ring dips 5 x 10 reps Super set with ring rows |
WOD | For time 100 Double unders 80 Jumping lunges 60 Box jumps 40 Burpees 20 Pull ups |
Cooldown | Kneeling lat stretch Couch stretch |
Equipment | Foam roller, rings, skipping rope, pull up bar |
Day 24 (W,M,G)
Warmup | Run 400m 10 Burpees |
Mobility | Roll out lats 20 Shoulder dislocates |
Skill/strength | Push press 5 x 8 reps (build up in weight if capable) |
WOD | 2 Rounds for time 30 Burpee box jumps 30 Pull ups 30 Ring dips 30 Sumo deadlift high pulls (95# / 65#) |
Cooldown | Kneeling banded lat stretch Downward dog hold |
Equipment | Broomstick, plyo box, foam roller, pull up bar, rings, barbell, bumper plates |
Day 25 (W,M)
Warmup | 2 Rounds Row 250m 5 Burpess |
Mobility | Wall angels Roll out lats |
Skill/strength | Overhead complex (5 working sets) 3 Push presses 2 Push jerks 1 Split jerk |
WOD | 2 Rounds for time 20 KB swings (45# / 36#) 10 Front squats (155# / 100#) 15 Burpees straight into 50 DB power snatches (45# / 35#)* *5 burpees every 10 snatches |
Cooldown | Wall lat stretch Kneeling Face-down Adductor Stretch |
Equipment | Rower, foam roller, barbell, bumper plates, kettlebell, dumbbell |
Day 26 (G)
Warmup | 400m run |
Mobility | Bent arm wall stretch Roll out lats |
Skill/strength | Ring push ups 4 x max effort then… Ring rows 4 x max effort |
WOD | 20 min AMRAP 5 Chest to bar pull ups 10 Ring dips 15 Sit ups |
Cooldown | Downward dog Upward facing dog |
Equipment | Rower, foam roller, barbell, bumper plates, kettlebell, dumbbell |
Day 27 (REST)
Day 28 (REST)
If you’d prefer this workout in PDF format click on the link below.