As CrossFit athletes around the world gear up for the CrossFit Open, excitement, nerves, and anticipation are in the air. The CrossFit Open is the first stage of the CrossFit Games season, and for many, it’s the time to test their fitness and see where they stack up against athletes from all over the globe. Whether you’re an elite competitor or someone just looking to challenge yourself, the Open offers a unique opportunity to push your limits.
What is the CrossFit Open?
The CrossFit Open is an online competition open to anyone. The workouts are released each week for three weeks, and athletes have a limited time window to complete the workout and submit their scores. It’s a celebration of fitness, where the community comes together, pushing each other to do their best in a fun, supportive, and inclusive environment. The results of the Open determine who advances to the next stage: Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and eventually the CrossFit Games.
The Style of Workouts in the Open
The CrossFit Open workouts are designed to test all aspects of fitness—strength, endurance, power, stamina, flexibility, and more. Each workout is a mix of functional movements that vary in intensity and duration. The idea is to create a test that challenges athletes, regardless of their experience level, to push through discomfort and improve.
1. The Classic CrossFit Elements:
The workouts often incorporate a combination of gymnastics, weightlifting, and cardio. From barbell lifts like cleans, snatches, and thrusters to bodyweight movements like pull-ups, push-ups, and handstand push-ups, the Open showcases the broad and inclusive nature of CrossFit training. Cardio movements like rowing, running, and jumping rope frequently make an appearance, making the tests well-rounded and diverse.
2. Intensity and Time Domain:
Open workouts are typically high-intensity, with many being short, intense sprints or longer, more endurance-focused challenges. The time domains vary—some workouts are completed in less than 10 minutes, while others can stretch well over 20 minutes. Athletes need to be prepared for both quick bursts of effort and extended periods of endurance, making strategic pacing key.
3. Scaled Options for All:
One of the most appealing features of the Open is that there are scaled versions of the workouts for athletes of all levels. No matter where you are on your CrossFit journey, you can participate. The scaled versions still provide a challenge but are tailored to ensure athletes of all abilities can have an enjoyable and meaningful experience.
Notable Past Open Workouts
Over the years, the CrossFit Open has produced some unforgettable and iconic workouts that have become part of CrossFit history. These workouts not only test fitness but also showcase the mental toughness and resilience required to thrive in the sport. Here are a few of the most memorable:
1. 14.5 (2014):
“14.5” is one of the most noteworthy Open workouts. It consists of 21-18-15-12-9-6-3 reps of thrusters (95/65 lbs) and bar-facing burpees. The combination of thrusters, a brutal full-body movement, and burpees, which are already exhausting on their own, made this workout an absolute grinder. It left athletes with sore legs, burning lungs, and a sense of accomplishment once they completed it.
2. 15.5 (2015):
Another memorable workout, 15.5, was a 27-21-15-9 rep scheme of rowing (calories) and thrusters (95/65 lbs). While it sounds relatively simple, the combination of cardio and heavy lifting created a workout that was both physically and mentally exhausting. The mental game played a huge role, as athletes had to push through the fatigue of rowing and the burning sensation in their legs from the thrusters.
3. 17.1 (2017):
In 2017, the Open brought a workout that combined dumbbell snatches and burpee box jump-overs. The 17.1 workout was memorable for its simplicity and intensity. Athletes faced a descending ladder of dumbbell snatches and burpee box jump-overs: 10-20-30-40-50 reps. The simplicity of the movements, paired with the sheer volume, challenged both strength and conditioning while providing a great test of stamina and mental resilience.
4. 19.1 (2019):
19.1 introduced the combination of wall balls and rowing. Athletes performed 19 wall balls (20/14 lbs) followed by 19-calorie row intervals, repeating the pattern for five rounds. The workout challenged athletes to maintain a high intensity on both the wall balls and rowing, pushing them to find a pace that wouldn’t lead to burnout.
5. 20.5 (2020):
The final workout of the 2020 Open included thrusters and chest-to-bar pull-ups, a challenging combination of movements that tested both strength and endurance. It’s notable for being a grueling and exhausting workout that many athletes had to dig deep to finish, and it capped off the Open with a test of an athlete’s overall fitness.
Why the Open is a Big Deal
The Open is about much more than just the workouts. It’s an opportunity to come together with the global CrossFit community and celebrate the progress we’ve made as individuals. It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to make it to the Games or just want to see how far you’ve come—you’re part of something bigger.
The beauty of the Open is that it’s inclusive, challenging, and accessible. Whether you’re crushing personal records or struggling through a tough workout, the community stands behind you, supporting you every step of the way.
Conclusion
The CrossFit Open is a cornerstone of the CrossFit experience, bringing athletes from around the world together to challenge themselves in some of the most intense and varied workouts imaginable. The Open workouts reflect the true essence of CrossFit: constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity. Some past Open workouts have gone down in history as fan favorites, while others are remembered for testing the mental fortitude of athletes. Regardless of your fitness level, the CrossFit Open is an experience that should be embraced, and it’s a great opportunity to push your limits and discover what you’re capable of.