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Memorial Day "MURPH"
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Memorial Day "MURPH"

Honoring our Heroes with Fitness

Carla DiGirolamo, MD's avatar
Carla DiGirolamo, MD
May 30, 2022
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Memorial Day "MURPH"
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Cross-post from Athletic Aging
Happy Memorial Day! In keeping with CrossFit tradition, today's workout is "Murph" complete with modifications for all fitness levels. Enjoy this workout that honors the great heroes that put their lives on the line every day for our safety and independence. Enjoy! -
Carla DiGirolamo, MD
Team! 
Today is the day we bring our A-Game! 
As written in its original form, this is a tough one - but there are great modifications for any fitness level! 
Here's to our heroes! 
-Carla

Today we celebrate a Memorial Day tradition in the CrossFit world - Memorial Day "Murph".  "Murph" was named after Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy, a United States Navy Seal who was killed in action in Afghanistan on June 28th, 2005. He was 29-years-old. Every Memorial Day we honor his service and that of all fallen heroes with this workout. To learn more about Lt. Michael P Murphy and the Murph tradition, click here here.

As written, this workout is a tough one! So I have provided 2 modified versions for minimal equipment and all fitness levels below. The approach to this workout in its original form is to split up the pull-ups, push-ups, and air squats into 20 triplet sets of 5 pull-ups, 10 push-ups, and 15 air squats... and did I mention that this is all performed wearing a weighted vest? 

VERSION 1

In our modified versions, we lose the weighted vest and preserve the key elements of endurance before and after the sets of triplet movements. 

Warm-Up
5 min jog or bike, or 3 sets of 200m Row with 30 sec – 1 min rest in between sets.

Movement Practice
Watch the videos and perform 2-3 sets of 5 repetitions of the movement variations of the triplet in the workout version you have selected. 

Workout
½ mile (800m) Run, Row or 1-mile Stationary Bike
10 - 20 rounds of the following triplet (you choose the volume!)

  • 5 Push-Ups *find a bench/box or stacked plate height that allows you to confidently do 10 reps unbroken prior to the workout. These sets will get smaller with fatigue - that’s expected!

  • 10 Chair/Bench Dips 

  • 15 Air Squats 

  • ½ mile (800m) Run, Row or 1-mile Stationary Bike

    TIPS!

  • See video links for movement variations.

  • If you are an endurance athlete - stick with the 1-mile runs!

  • Break up sets as needed, but move efficiently and pace yourself!



    VERSION 2                 
    If you have dumbbells/barbells, try this version:

  • ½ mile (800m) Run, Row or 1-mile Stationary Bike
    10-20 sets of the following triplet

  • 5 heavy barbell/dumbbell bent-over rows or barbell/dumbbell curls

  • 10 push-ups 

  • 15 air squats

  • ½ mile (800m) Run, Row or 1-mile Stationary Bike

    Good luck and have fun!! :) 

If you enjoyed this workout, please share!

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Memorial Day "MURPH"
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