CrossFit Games Heart Rate Data from Haley Adams & Team Mayhem Freedom

Some of the world’s fittest athletes share their WHOOP heart rate, HRV, strain and recovery data from the 2021 CrossFit Games.

CrossFit legend Rich Froning, the first 4-time “Fittest Man on Earth,” is now a 5-time team champion as well. His Mayhem Freedom squad just completed one of the most dominating showings in the history of the CrossFit Games. Additionally, fellow Mayhem athlete Haley Adams was the No. 1 American in the women’s individual competition as she posted her second consecutive top-five finish. Below we explore some of the WHOOP data behind their epic performances.  

Haley Adams’ Heart Rate, HRV, Strain & Recovery

The day before the Games began, Haley Adams awoke with a green WHOOP recovery of 74%. Her heart rate variability (HRV) was 112 milliseconds, and her resting heart rate (RHR) was 48 beats per minute. Her body was in great shape to take on the world’s best.

The day before the Games began, Haley Adams' WHOOP data indicated she was primed for a peak performance.

Haley’s day strain on the eve of the Games was also only 5.9 on our 0-21 scale, meaning she took great strides to give her body adequate rest heading into four days of intense competition. Her top event finish was on Day 2, in which she took second place in the handstand walk obstacle course. Check out this WHOOP Live video featuring her real-time heart rate:

Haley’s overall strain that day was 17.4. By the next morning, the immense workload was clearly starting to take its toll. Haley’s recovery on Day 3 was just 19%, her HRV dropped to 67, and her RHR rose to 60 bpm. However, despite a 18.9 strain on Day 3, Haley’s metrics rebounded for the last day of the Games. On Day 4 she was 68% recovered, her HRV was back up to 96, and her RHR dipped to 58 bpm. A 4th-place effort in the final event helped Haley finish among the 5 fittest women on the planet for the second year in a row.

Haley Adams finished 3rd overall in Event 5, which included the heaviest sand bag carry ever at the Games.

WHOOP Stats from CrossFit Mayhem Freedom’s Record-Setting Victory

In winning a record fifth team championship, the members of Mayhem Freedom (Rich Froning, Chase Hill, Andrea Nisler and Taylor Williamson) accomplished a number of other CrossFit Games first as well. On Day 1, Mayhem Freedom won all 4 events, the only squad ever to do that. Collectively the team members’ average recovery that morning was in the green at 67%. They averaged an 18.0 day strain, and to no surprise their spectacular achievements had a huge impact on their WHOOP stats the following morning. For Day 2, their average HRV slipped from 110 to 76, and recovery was nearly in the red at 34%.

Daily WHOOP recovery and strain averages for Team Mayhem Freedom while winning a fifth CrossFit Games title.

An average strain of “only” 15.7 on Day 2 helped boost the team’s recovery to 47% for Day 3, and it stayed there for Day 4. Mayhem Freedom continued to break records, winning 8 of the Games’ 13 total events and capturing the title by 219 points, the greatest-ever margin of victory over a second-place finisher.

Team Mayhem Freedom, Rich Froning, Chase Hill, Andrea Nisler and Taylor Williamson, won 8 of the CrossFit Games' 13 events.

On the Monday following the completion of the Games, the Mayhem Freedom teammates’ WHOOP numbers were indicative of pushing themselves to the limits for four straight days, and potentially enjoying some quality time to celebrate afterwards. Their average HRV was down to 60, while resting heart rate (49 bpm on Day 1) was up to 56 bpm. Combined with just a 66% sleep performance (average of 5 hours and 54 minutes), and the teams’ recovery the day after winning the CrossFit Games was a well-earned 20%.   Learn More: Rich Froning Talks Workouts, Recovery & Career Longevity Podcast 123: Haley Adams on Being a Role Model & Her Rise to the Top of the CrossFit