Memorial Day is just around the corner, and that doesn’t just mean that it’s time to kick back, relax, and enjoy the start of summer. For CrossFitters and others who feel inclined to honor the memory of one of contemporary culture’s military heroes, it’s Murph season.
The super-difficult workout is one of CrossFit’s Hero WODs, which are named in honor of fallen service members and are typically brutal to finish. The Murph was named after U.S. Navy SEAL LT. Michael Murphy, who conceived the routine while deployed and whose valor was depicted in the book and film Lone Survivor.
That high level of entry doesn’t stop people like Chris Pratt, John Krasinski, and The Rock from taking on the challenge every year on Memorial Day to raise money and awareness for veterans’ causes. This year, Pratt kicked off the Murph season early with an action-packed video posted to Instagram well over a week before the holiday.
The footage, stylized in slo-mo and accompanied by Eric Church’s ‘The Outsiders,’ shows Pratt and a group of fellow exercisers, including former NFL star Shawne Merriman, sports personality Jay Glazer, and former football player and Green Beret Nate Boyer, running through the WOD’s exercises at the Unbreakable Performance gym in L.A.
The workout itself is simple, but the volume of work and the challenge to finish as quickly as possible make it a formidable undertaking. To finish the Murph, you’ll need to strap on a 20 lb. weighted vest and complete:
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#TheMurphChallenge is just around the corner. Me and the gang got one done yesterday. Go to themurphchallenge.com to find out what I’m talking about, get you a shirt-post a sweaty pic with your crew for a RT! Order today for guaranteed shirt delivery on time for #memorialday amd join the millions of bad asses who’ve accepted the challenge! All proceeds go to a great cause! Special thanks to @jayglazer @xcnatch @iheartmindy @kimdejesus @tyga @shawnemerriman @nateboyer37 @brock_hekking @grahambunn @robg @reallifepimp @oliverstarkk @arnoldchon @jlweddle @adelkyokushin @forgedmike @samantha_r_bonilla #jaredshaw and everyone else who made it to @unbreakableperformance to take the challenge yesterday. We’ll be doing it again on memorial day. Join us!!! Get your shirt! Participate! Also shout out to my buddies @ericchurchmusic for the use of outsiders and @patrikgiardino for shooting the video. We’ll be dropping the full video on Memorial Day. And lastly but most importantly thank you to Lt. Michael P Murphy and the millions of soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We live this life because you laid down yours, gratitude and prayers for all of you. ♥️👍🏼🙏🇺🇸
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Pratt and company squat, run, and pushup wearing the same green t-shirt. The gear is from the organization behind the Murph Challenge, the LT. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation, which annually raises funds through the event.
The actor used the video and accompanying caption to challenge his fans to take on the Murph this year. If you’re up to the task, take a photo with your squad after your Murph and tag Pratt for a repost. You’ll be far from alone in the sweaty solidarity, as other celebrity CrossFitters are sure to join in—so get ready for a good workout for a great cause.
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