CrossFit incorporates high-intensity interval training, Olympic weightlifting, plyometrics, powerlifting, gymnastics, calisthenics, and strongman. Competitive CrossFit athletes are expected to be prepared for any of these training disciplines when they inevitability show up on contest programming.
The 2023 CrossFit Games are scheduled for Aug. 1-6 in Madison, WI. The defending two-time Fittest Man on Earth® Justin Medeiros seeks to be the third Individual male competitor ever to three-peat (the other two are Rich Froning and Matt Fraser).
On July 1, 2023, Medeiros trained with the 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) champion Mitchell Hooper to brush up on his strongman skills. Medeiros shared a video of the workout on his YouTube channel. Check it out below:
[Related: Meet the 2023 CrossFit Games Demo Team]
Justing Medeiros vs. Mitchell Hooper Workout
Medeiros and Hooper warmed up on the air bike, followed by a mobility drill. Warming up before a workout improves blood flow and flexibility and can reduce the risk of injury.
The workout started with Hooper helping Medeiros with his log press technique. Hooper opted for a wooden log and performed the lifts raw. In contrast, Medeiros used a steel log and wore a weightlifting belt and knee sleeves.
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When two of the best athletes in the world train together, it is a matter of time before a friendly workout turns into a contest. After completing their strongman skill work, the duo locked horns for a CrossFit workout:
Three Rounds for Time
Justin Medeiros
- 10 Log Clean & Jerk (155 pounds)
- 50-foot Handstand Walk
- 30 GHD Sit-Ups
- Assault Bike (25 calories)
Mitchell Hooper
- 10 Log Clean & Jerk (155 pounds)
- 50-foot Bear Crawl
- 15 GHD Sit-Ups
- Assault Bike (25 calories
Hooper scaled the workout by switching the handstand walk to a bear crawl and did 15 GHD sit-ups instead of the prescribed 30.
“That’s like six strongman events in a row,” said Hooper after completing the workout. “I think I got some favorable modifications, but it’s tough.” The duo didn’t reveal their final time after the training session.
Road Ahead
With two CrossFit Games titles and two Rogue Invitational titles to his name, Medeiros currently is the top-ranked Individual male CrossFitter. He’ll face stiff competition at the 2023 Games, including rivals Jeffrey Adler, Roman Khrennikov, Patrick Vellner, Jayson Hopper, Samuel Kwant, and Brent Fikowski, to name a few, who are all eyeing their maiden Fittest Man on Earth® title.
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Hooper is set to participate in the 2023 Shaw Classic, scheduled for Aug. 19-20, 2023, in Loveland, CO. He will go head-to-head with a stacked roster that includes WSM champion Oleksii Novikov, Tom Stoltman, and Brian Shaw, and the two-time defending Shaw Classic champion Trey Mitchell.
The 2023 Shaw Classic champion will be crowned the “The Strongest Man On Earth.” Should Hooper emerge victorious, he will become the second strongman ever to hold both monikers (WSM and Strongest Man on Earth) simultaneously. Only four-time WSM champion Žydrūnas Savickas has accomplished that feat.
Featured image: @justinmedeiros34 on Instagram
