Yesterday, my CrossFit box programmed the workout "215 innocent children", and while it's for a lovely cause and in memorial of the 215 indigenous children found buried at the Kamloops Indian Residential School.

A word of warning if you wish to attempt the 215 innocent children workout. It's a long and gruelling workout that will leave you feeling exhausted by the end. It's a challenging workout and not to be taken too lightly.

215 innocent children workout: For time (no official limit)

  • 215 Double-Unders
  • 21 Handstand Push-Ups
  • 5 Clean-and-Jerks (135/95 lb)
  • 21 Burpees
  • 5 Clean-and-Jerks (135/95 lb)
  • 21 Box Jumps (24/20 in)
  • 5 Clean-and-Jerks (135/95 lb)
  • 21 Kettlebell Swings (53/35 lb)
  • 5 Clean-and-Jerks (135/95 lb)
  • 21 Lunges
  • 5 Clean-and-Jerks (135/95 lb)
  • 21 Pull-Ups
  • 5 Clean-and-Jerks (135/95 lb)
  • 21 Medicine Ball Squat Cleans (20/14 lb)
  • 5 Clean-and-Jerks (135/95 lb)
  • 21 Toes-to-Bars
  • 5 Clean-and-Jerks (135/95 lb)
  • 1,996 meter Row

I managed to get about 100 double unders done before going to single skips. My handstand push-ups were done kipping with a 10kg weight under a mat. I used a 40kg bar for my clean and jerks which didn't feel too heavy until I got closer to the end. Everything else was RX standard which I'm pleased with. Unfortunately, I didn't make it to the 1,996m row, but I gave it my all and was impressed with my finish.

If I did 215 innocent children again and wanted to finish, I would probably go a little lighter on the bar while keeping to the same movement standards. It's a hard workout, but it's to remember all those children that were lost. I hope the friends and family of those children find peace at last, and I hope the children rest in peace.

A selfie taken after the 215 innocent children workout
A "after workout" selfie

Background:

215 Innocent Children workout is dedicated to 215 indigenous children buried at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia, Canada, on May 27, 2021.

The Kamloops Indian Residential School operated between 1890 and 1969 when the federal government took over operations from the Catholic Church and operated it as a day school until it closed in 1978.

In Canada, the Indian residential school system was a network of mandatory schools for Indigenous peoples. The network was funded by the Canadian government's Department of Indian Affairs and administered by Christian churches. The school system was created to remove Indigenous children from the influence of their own culture and assimilate them into the dominant Canadian culture.

The National Truth and Reconciliation Commission records at least 51 children dying at the school between 1914 and 1963, noting in its 2015 report that officials in 1918 believed children at the school were not being adequately fed, leading to malnutrition. Most of the parents of the 215 children weren't informed of their passing and were buried in unmarked graves.

The workout was designed by Roger Boyer and Kris and Kristin Sylliboy for CrossFit gyms in Canada and worldwide to rally behind the cause and raise awareness. Boyer is a long-time CrossFit athlete and citizen of the Anishinabek Nation and the Sylliboys, CrossFit athletes and citizens of the Mi'kmaq Nation who grew up on an indigenous reserve in Nova Scotia.

The two hope for as many gyms as possible to participate in solidarity and to honour the innocent lives that were tragically lost.

Would you attempt 215 innocent children?

Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.

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Take a look at my previously logged workout Brehm a tough CrossFit workout.