Man-Maker

ExtrasDB

A dumbbell complex combining a push-up, renegade rows, and a clean-to-overhead press into one continuous full-body movement. One of the most metabolically demanding dumbbell exercises in conditioning.

Demo: Paradiso CrossFit

Sets

4

Reps

6-10

Rest

1:30

Contraindications

Avoid with low back pain, shoulder impingement, or wrist pain. Technical complex — master each component separately before combining.

Setup

Start in a plank holding two dumbbells, hands directly under shoulders, feet spread slightly wider than the shoulders for stability.

Execution

  1. 1Perform a push-up while gripping the dumbbells
  2. 2Row the right dumbbell to the ribs, then the left
  3. 3Jump or step feet in toward the hands
  4. 4Stand and clean both dumbbells to shoulder height
  5. 5Drive both dumbbells overhead in a press, then return to start

Key cues

  • Keep hips level during the push-up and rows — no rotation
  • Flat back on the clean portion
  • Full lockout overhead at the top
  • Move slow when learning, add speed once form is solid

Common faults

  • Rotating the hips excessively during the row
  • Rounding the back on the clean
  • Leaning back to press instead of driving straight overhead
  • Losing dumbbell control during the transition to standing

Tweaks

  • Reduce load for higher-rep conditioning sets
  • Remove the push-up for a faster-paced variant
  • Pair with burpee broad jumps in an alternating EMOM

Regressions

Progressions

Muscles

Primary: Chest, Lats, Shoulders, Quadriceps

Secondary: Core, Triceps, Biceps, Glutes

Notes

Primary energy system: lactic. A signature CrossFit dumbbell complex; extremely high metabolic cost due to combining pushing, pulling, and Olympic-style triple extension in one rep.

Sources

Attribution: CrossFit Journal