CrossFit Honors McCoy “Topsy” Turner with Hero WOD
On Monday, March 16, 2026, CrossFit gyms worldwide will participate in a workout honoring the memory of McCoy “Topsy” Turner, a beloved figure in the CrossFit community. The workout, known as “Topsy,” is a challenging triplet designed to test endurance and strength while remembering a man known for his warmth, kindness and dedication to CrossFit education.
The “Topsy” Workout
The workout consists of completing as many rounds and reps as possible in 25 minutes of:
- 3 Muscle-ups
- 8 Thrusters (♀ 75-lb barbell / ♂ 115-lb barbell)
- 17-Calorie Row
Athletes are encouraged to compare their results to those from a previous workout completed on June 27, 2025. Participants are asked to post their rounds and reps to the comments section of the CrossFit website.
Who Was McCoy “Topsy” Turner?
McCoy “Topsy” Turner passed away on March 8, 2025, after a long battle with complex post-traumatic stress. He was a highly respected member of the CrossFit community, serving as a Seminar Staff Flowmaster and having worked over 250 seminars.
Turner’s background included 17 years of service in the Royal Navy, where he specialized as an exercise rehabilitation instructor. He served in Afghanistan as part of Operation Herrick before relocating to Bali and continuing his work in CrossFit education. He was known for his exceptional service and dedication to others.
Turner is survived by his sons, Brodie and Tommy.
Workout Scaling Options
CrossFit recognizes that athletes have varying levels of experience and ability. Several scaling options are available:
- Intermediate: 3 Jumping Muscle-ups, 8 Thrusters (♀ 55-lb barbell / ♂ 75-lb barbell), 17-Calorie Row
- Beginner: Every 5 minutes for 25 minutes, complete 3 Low-Ring Muscle-up Transitions, 8 Thrusters (♀ 35-lb barbell / ♂ 45-lb barbell), 12-Calorie Row
Stimulus and Strategy
The workout is designed as a triplet, encouraging athletes to maintain a consistent pace throughout. Choosing appropriate thruster loading and muscle-up volume to allow for unbroken sets each round is recommended. Athletes should row at a pace that allows for some recovery. As a Hero workout, participants are encouraged to attempt the Rx’d version if they can perform the movements safely and effectively.
Resources
CrossFit provides resources to assist athletes understand and perform the movements correctly:
- The Kipping Muscle-Up
- The Thruster
- Rowing Technique Tips
- The Jumping Ring Muscle-Up
- Low-Ring Muscle-Up Scaling
- Scaling CrossFit Hero and Tribute Workouts
Individuals looking to participate can find a CrossFit gym near them.