Well, it’s that time again. Open Season is here. For some, it came too quickly. For others, it can’t come quick enough.
For those who are new to CrossFit, it’s important to give some background about The Open and why you should sign up.
What’s ‘The Open?’
The 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games season commences with the online ‘Open.’ For five weeks you compete in five workouts and post your score online. Last year, The Open reached more than 209,000 athletes from around the world.
You can perform The Open workout at a participating CrossFit affiliate where you will be judged in person, or you can choose to have your workout filmed and upload it to YouTube.
The only “catch” is the time submission. You must submit your scores within four days to the Games website. Each Thursday beginning Feb. 26th at 5 p.m. PST the workout is released. Scores are due the following Monday at 5pm PST.
New in 2015: Scaled Open Workouts
For the first time, scaled versions of the week’s Open workout will be available. This option is available so athletes can decide the best workout that matches their abilities. Scaled workouts will have specified standards for each movement. You will not be allowed to scale or modify further. Athletes will still be ranked globally and eligible for completing Rx’d workouts the following weeks.
For a more detailed breakdown of the scaled division, click here.
Open Schedule:
15.1: Feb. 26 -March 2
15.2: March 5-9
15.3: March 12-16
15.4: March 19-23
15.5: March 26-30
Why Should I Care?
For some CrossFitters, they may hear the words, “Compete against 209,000 athletes from across the world,” and immediately shut down and say, “absolutely not.”
Before you press “X” on this post, hear me out.
- You do not have to be a Games competitor to participate in The Open.
- You do not have to be a Regional competitor to participate in The Open.
- You do not have to have any desire to win a CrossFit competition to participate in The Open.
However, if you want the opportunity to assess your fitness level, break through mental barriers that have been holding you back from your next PR, help your team gain a coveted spot at regionals, or compete against some of your favorite athletes then this is your venue.
Great works are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance. -Samuel Johnson
Watch this video for a hilarious explanation of The Open from CrossFit HQ. >>What the Open Means to Me
[youtube_advanced url=”http://youtu.be/i1eSqWM-yiM”]
But I’m Not Very Good At…
Here’s the deal. I know I speak for volumes of people when I say, I’m not good at double unders. In fact, I despise them. The first time I realized I did a double under instead of a really fast single was in 14.1. (True story). Rope climbs terrify me and I am pretty sure Satan invented burpees. But really, who cares?
There are plenty of skills you’re probably not good at… Handstand push-ups, snatches, pistols, pull-ups, etc. The truth is, unless you’re a Games competitor, you’re not alone. Games athletes pour hours into their training, diet, and advancement of skills. Games athletes should excel ahead of their boxmates. Someone needs to set the standard and show the world the work, time, and dedication they’ve put in to get there.
The difference? The Open exposes your flaws and gives you a starting point to get better. The beauty of The Open is it forces you do exercises you’re uncomfortable with. It gives you that little nudge you’ve been looking for in your workouts.
The best way to warm up for burpees is to do burpees. -A.J. Bales
Sometimes all you need is 20 seconds…
Sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of courage, ferocity, tenacity, and a little bit of insanity to create a breakthrough.
If you do not struggle or fear something, then you’re probably not a human and you should stop reading this. For the rest of you, if you’ve ever let fear hold you back, or let excuses occlude you from achieving something great, then The Open is not for you.
Effort will release it’s reward only after you refuse to quit. -Mark Sipot
- The Open serves to inspire athletes to come together.
- The Open serves as a gateway to catapulting those who have put in the work to a new level.
- The Open serves as a place where you may finish last, but the truth is if you finish last you’re much further than those who were too scared to start.
Plus, you’ll probably surprise yourself. Sign Up Here.
