Close your eyes and think about all the exercises you’ve ever done. Every movement, every rep scheme, every plate loaded on the bar. Now think about mashing all of that together into a single, grimy monster of a workout. That, in essence, is a “Chipper.”
The name Chipper describes a workout that combines a lot of different movements at high volume. You complete all reps assigned for each exercise before moving on to the next. Unlike the circuits seen in a lot of CrossFit workouts, a Chipper is performed only once. The best approach is to work methodically through each exercise. If you’re not competing in the CrossFit Games themselves, there’s no need to hammer away at top speed; Chippers are brutal regardless, so pace yourself.
Assembling a great CrossFit Chipper Workout of the Day (WOD) is a creative process, and the results are often epic workouts. The 2009 CrossFit Games’ Chipper is exactly that. Dave Castro and Tony Budding programmed this gem just minutes before the equipment was set up. In my humble opinion, it’s one of the best WODs ever. The workout is a series of Olympic lifts, gymnastic movements, and classic CrossFit skills, and completing it requires a combination of skill, stamina, strength, and mental toughness. It’s no wonder this was the final workout of the 2009 CrossFit Games, as it brings together so much of what CrossFit is all about.
