
by Taylor Gerlach
CrossFit’s annual Open season is almost upon us.
For three weeks in March, we will push harder, cheer louder, and celebrate fitness with a global community of athletes all taking ice baths, wondering if it’s worth redoing the workout minutes before scores are due Monday night, and counting down the minutes to the next workout announcement every Thursday.
If you’re new around here and wondering what everyone is talking about, The Open is the first stage of the annual CrossFit Games competition. Anyone can compete from anywhere in the world and log their scores virtually to measure up against others in their age group or track personal progress from year to year.
For most of us, we know we’re not going to the Games. So then why do the Open?
Test yourself
“I want to do the open because it seems like a great 1 year at CrossFit check-in. I’ve only heard positive things from everyone at CFL, and surprisingly I’ve seen myself getting a lot better at it within the last few months, so I want to use the Open as a gauge for myself.” – Gigi Sani
“I like to compete against others, but more importantly, I like to compete against myself.” – Jack Green
Having an annual benchmark is a great way to test your fitness each year. If you’re new to CrossFit, it will be fun to look back next year and see how far you’ve come. If you’ve been around for a while, the Open is a fun check-in. With the extra hype and excitement, you might even find yourself setting new records or getting new movements for the first time.
Celebrate your fitness
“I think of the Open as a celebratory tradition! Each year my excitement levels vary based on my self-confidence. But regardless it’s a must! Crossfit is HARD; so is LIFE. What better way to celebrate my determination, commitment, and dedication to personal fitness. Have fun and stretch yourself!” – Brandon Moreno
“I’m doing the Open this year because I’m in the best shape of my life. I can do handstand pushups and I am excited to possibly get to do them. This is my last year in the under 40 age group so I’m looking forward to seeing how I do from this year to next.” – Devin Craig
More than being a competition, the Open is a celebration. It’s a time when the whole CrossFit community does a set of workouts together, cheering each other on and celebrating personal victories, big and small.
Compete together
“I’m doing the Open because I want to check my fitness level and see how much I have improved in the past year. Also because it’s super fun to compete with friends and get to support each other.” – Gleicy Cavalcante
“For me, it’s the competition and the community! I love the people that I work out with on a daily basis and to have the chance to compete with/against them gets me really excited!” – Josh Bridwell
“I do the Open because I love to challenge myself to do things I didn’t think I could. Every year I surprise myself and do something I thought was impossible. I also do the Open because I like to compete with everyone, not only at the gym but also my friends that live in other cities!” – Lane Corum
One of the most special aspects of the Open is its ability to inspire community. While we won’t be all together having watch parties in the same way as normal this year, the Open is still something we will all be doing together at the same time. Suffer and celebrate with your friends, and make some new ones along the way.
Have fun (and maybe trash talk a little)
“One of the reasons I show up to a CrossFit workout is the friendly competition. The work becomes a game. Playing the game gives me goals to reach, opportunities to celebrate progress, and a chance to talk trash with friends. The Open just amplifies that. You get to play a game with the whole world. And, of course, aim to do better than last year.” – Dylan Clark
The Open is fun! Like recess for adults, the Open is just one big, worldwide game. Whether you’re playing against yourself, athletes from your home country, or the whole world, let fitness be fun.
Sign up via this link – https://open.crossfit.com/
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