Honor the Fallen: The Annual Memorial Day Murph is Back
- Austin Fitness Community
- May 17
- 4 min read
Updated: May 23
(AUSTIN) Austin Fitness Community - As Memorial Day approaches, gyms across the ATX are gearing up for one of the most challenging, community-driven, and meaningful fitness traditions in the world: The Murph Challenge.
Whether you are a seasoned CrossFitter, a functional fitness enthusiast, or someone looking to push your mental and physical limits, this is the weekend we come together to sweat, struggle, and remember.
What is the "Murph" Workout?
If you’ve never done it before, the workout is as simple as it is brutal. It is a test of pure grit and cardiovascular endurance:
1-Mile Run
100 Pull-ups
200 Push-ups
300 Air Squats
1-Mile Run
Note: Elite athletes tackle this while wearing a 20lb body armor or weighted vest, but the workout can be scaled to any fitness level - whether that means partitioning the reps (e.g., 20 rounds of 5 pull-ups, 10 push-ups, and 15 squats) or skipping the vest entirely.
More Than Just a Workout: What It Represents
While the physical toll of Murph is undeniable, the true heart of the workout lies in its purpose.
The Murph is a CrossFit "Hero WOD" (Workout of the Day) dedicated to U.S. Navy SEAL Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2005. Lieutenant Murphy was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his selflessness and bravery. This specific workout was one of his personal favorites, though he originally called it "Body Armor."
When your lungs are burning and your arms feel like lead during those final reps, the workout serves as a stark reminder of the ultimate sacrifices made by Lieutenant Murphy and countless other military service members. We don't do Murph to boast about our fitness; we do it to honor the fallen, test our mental resolve, and appreciate the freedom we have to move our bodies.
Where to Move in Austin
Ready to take on the challenge? You don't have to suffer through it alone in your garage. Gyms all over the Austin area are opening their doors, hosting community heats, and firing up the grills for post-workout socials.
Below is our running list of Austin-area gyms hosting their own Murph events this Memorial Day weekend:
SATURDAY, MAY 23rd
CrossFit Uncommon
Where: 208 W Powell Ln, Austin, TX 78753
When: First Heat Starts at 8am
Event Link: N/A
MONDAY, MAY 25th
No Straight Path Apparel x OBK Fitness
Where: 6 Indian Meadows Dr Ste 200, Round Rock, TX 78665
When: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Blackhorse Gym
Where: 907 Jase Reid lane, Liberty Hill, TX 78642
When: Workout starts 9:00am
Event Link: N/A
CrossFit 3 Strands
Where: 100 W Pflugerville Parkway, Suite 108, Pflugerville, Texas 78660
When: Workout starts promptly at 8:30 AM
Event Link: N/A
CrossFit Central (Downtown)
Where: 600 South Bell Boulevard, STE 1, Cedar Park, Texas 78613
When: 7:45 am | 9:00 am | 10:15 am
Event Link: N/A
CrossFit Georgetown
Where: 748 Co Rd 234, Georgetown, TX 78633
When: 9:00am & 9:50am Heats
Event Link: N/A
CrossFit Round Rock
Where: 350 Old West Dr, Ste C, Round Rock, Texas 78681
When: 10:00am
Event Link: N/A
CrossFit SoChac
Where: 11600 Menchaca Rd #301, Austin, TX
When: TBD
Event Link: Register on Wodify
D1 Training (Multiple Locations)
Where:
D1 Training - Jollyville: 11521 N FM 620 Suite 800, Austin, TX 78726
D1 Training - Liberty Hill: 110 Holmes Rd, Suite 150, Liberty Hill, Texas 78642
When: 8:00am & 9:30am heats
Event Link: Call Location to Register
F45 - DOMAIN
Where: 3220 Amy Donovan Plaza #124, Austin, Texas 78758
When: 8:30am
Event Link: "Book your class now by contacting the front desk"
Georgetown Strength
Where: 2104 N Austin Ave, Suite 105, Georgetown, Texas 78626
When: 7:30am & 9:00am Heats
Event Link: Register for free at HERE
Heroes Fitness (Cedar Park)
Where: 300 Brushy Creek Rd, Cedar Park, TX 78613
When: Warm up starts at 8:30am - Murph starts at 9:00am
Event Link: N/A
North Austin Strong
Where: 13800 Quitman Pass, Austin, Texas 78728
When: Heat 1: 8:30am, Heat 2: 9:00am
Event Link: N/A
Ranch Fit Club
Where: 12901 Trails End, Austin, TX 78737
When: 8:00am & 9:00am Heats
Event Link: Register for free at www.ranchfitclub.com
South Austin Fit
Where: 12700 Lowden Ln Bldg 4, Manchaca, Texas 78652
When: Between 8:00am & 11:00am
Event Link: N/A
Streamline Fit
Where: 600 South Bell Boulevard, STE 1, Cedar Park, Texas 78613
When: 8:00am & 9:30am heats
Event Link: N/A
Strength & Endurance Academny
Where: 404 Williamson Road, Kyle, Texas 78640
When: Between 7:00am & 11:00am
Event Link: N/A - Drop Ins $10, Veterans = Free
TRVFIT Georgetown TX
Where: 205 Cantera Way, Building 1, Georgetown, Texas 78628
When: Heats: 7AM, 8AM, 9AM
Event Link: N/A
Upreach CrossFit
Where: 13047 Pond Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78729
When: 8:00am & 10:00am Heats
Event Link: N/A
*We will continue adding more events as they come our way*
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