Why We Do Hero Workouts

Every year, gyms across the world come together to take on some of the toughest workouts in existence — Hero WODs (Workout Of the Day). They’re long, heavy, and intentionally grueling. Workouts like Murph, Chad1000x, and others push us far beyond our comfort zones. But behind the physical challenge lies something far greater than fitness. These workouts are about honor, remembrance, and purpose.

At Rail Stop Fitness, Hero workouts hold a special place in our community. We conduct these Hero WODs on or around major remembrance dates (such as Veterans Day), we’re saying: “We remember, we act, we honor.” They remind us why we show up, why we work hard, and what it means to serve something bigger than ourselves.

Honoring Service and Sacrifice

• Hero workouts are named after military members, law‑enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders who lost their lives in the line of duty.
• When we step up to the barbell, strap on a weighted vest, or face a thousand box step‑ups, we do it as a small tribute to their sacrifice.
• For that hour or so, we carry a fraction of their burden. We embrace the discomfort to remember that freedom, safety, and community come at a cost.
• Each rep becomes a quiet thank you — a reminder that the pain we feel in a workout is nothing compared to the sacrifices made by those who served.
• When we do Chad1000x, we honor Chad Wilkinson. When we tackle Murph, we honor Lt. Michael P. Murphy. Their names and legacies live on through our effort, and that’s the point — we keep their stories alive through our sweat.

Bringing Awareness and Supporting Causes

• Hero workouts often do more than challenge us physically; they oftentimes shine a light on causes that need attention — mental health, suicide prevention, scholarships, and veteran support.
• For example, the Chad1000x workout is organized in honor of Chad Wilkinson and is designed to raise awareness for veteran suicide prevention. (Read More)
• Similarly, the Murph Challenge raises funds for the Lt. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation, supporting the legacy of Lt. Murphy and providing scholarships to veterans and their children. (Read More)
• When we show up to these workouts, we’re doing more than chasing time or reps — we’re helping carry a message.

Embracing Discomfort and Growth

• Hero workouts are not meant to be comfortable. They’re meant to challenge you — physically, mentally and emotionally.
• Choosing to do something hard on purpose teaches us who we are when things get tough. Halfway through a long run or the 805th step‑up, your body wants to quit. But you keep moving. You find a second wind, a stronger focus, and a deeper reason to continue.
• That’s where growth happens. That’s where resilience is built.
• The beauty of Hero workouts is that they remind us of an important truth: we can do hard things. And that mindset doesn’t end when the workout does — it carries into our daily lives, our relationships and our ability to face adversity with strength and humility.

Community and Shared Purpose

• Hero workouts are rarely done alone — and that’s part of what makes them special. We take on these challenges together.
• When you look around the room during a Hero WOD, you’ll see athletes of every age, background and ability level. Some wear weighted vests. Others modify movements. But everyone is fighting through the same workout, united by the same intention.
• That shared effort creates connection — one that extends far beyond our own walls. CrossFit gyms around the world perform the same Hero WODs on the same weekends, all honoring the same heroes. It’s a reminder that community doesn’t stop at the gym door — it’s global, powerful, and built on respect.

Perspective and Gratitude

• When the workout gets hard, it’s easy to focus on the burning muscles, the shortness of breath, or the clock that won’t seem to move. But Hero workouts are also an opportunity to reframe what “hard” means.
• We get to do this.
• We get to move, breathe and push ourselves freely.
• We get to suffer for a reason that matters.
• That perspective shifts everything. Instead of frustration, we find gratitude. Instead of quitting, we find purpose. And when we walk out of the gym afterward, we carry that sense of appreciation into the rest of our lives—for our health, our freedom, and the people who made both possible.

Tradition and Legacy

• Every time we do a Hero workout, we’re taking part in something much larger than ourselves. These workouts are woven into the fabric of CrossFit’s culture and serve as a living tribute to those who came before.
• For newer members, Hero workouts are a chance to learn the stories — to understand why we do them. For longtime members, they’re a moment of reflection and renewal. It’s tradition with purpose — a way to connect generations of athletes through shared struggle and shared remembrance.
• It’s also a legacy we pass forward. When someone new walks through our doors and asks, “Who was Murph?” or “Why do we do Chad?” — we get to tell those stories. And through that storytelling, we ensure their names are never forgotten.
• More than fitness, Hero workouts remind us that fitness can be a way to live with meaning and service‑minded purpose.

Doing Hard Things with Intention

• At the end of the day, Hero workouts are about more than fitness. They’re about meaning.
• We do them because they remind us of sacrifice.
• We do them because they make us stronger.
• We do them because we believe in honoring those who served — not with words, but with effort.
• So tomorrow, as we take on Chad1000x, remember why we’re here. Every rep, every breath, every step is a thank you.
• Honor the name. Earn the sweat. And carry that gratitude with you — in the gym and beyond.

‍