The CrossFit Open

The CrossFit Open is about to start and many of you have questions. I will try to answer as many as I can both with the background, where to register, why to register, what our new schedule at the gym will be, when the workouts will be released, where you can watch them, and a simple strategy.

Background: The CrossFit Games started in 2007 with the sole purpose of finding the fittest CrossFitter on earth. The competition soon grew to a point where regionals were introduced in 2009. In 2010 the Games moved from the “Ranch” to Los Angeles to handle the soaring participation. 2011 marked the first Open workouts and the corporate sponsor Reebok. From 2011 till 2015 we have had Open workouts held in the affiliated boxes where we test our fitness to find out who can go to the next level.

Where to register: go to www.games.crossfit.com and click the red tab in the right hand corner to register. You now have the choice of a teens division (14-17), open (18-39), scaled (all ages), and masters (40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60+)

Why to register: why not? This is for fun and every week you have the option of doing the scaled or Rx workout. Don’t let fear make the call for you. If you need more reason then PLEASE check out this video: http://games.crossfit.com/video/why-we-do-it  

When will the workouts be released: Every Thursday at 6pm our time. There are five workouts (15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, and 15.5) that will be released Feb 26, Mar 5, Mar 12, Mar 19, and Mar 26.

Where can you watch them: None of us know what the workouts will be until Thursday at 6pm. The cool thing is that they will release the workout and then have two high level athletes complete the workout for our enjoyment. The live announcement and workout between the high level athletes will be streamed from www.games.crossfit.com

What our new schedule at the gym will be: During the weeks that the Open is going on we will have to move our programming around a bit. PartnerWODs will be moved from Fridays to Thursdays. Friday and Saturday will be doing the Open workouts. We will be doing the same workout twice in a week so that those of us who are participating in the Open will have a chance to do the WOD.

Strategy: Since we are running the workouts twice there is a strategy you can employ. The classic strategy is to do the workout once as hard as you can and turn in your score. The other strategy is to do the workout on Friday and only go 50-70% by not pushing and keeping the weight lighter than prescribed. Once you test drive the workout you will know where you can push, where to breathe, where youra rest is, what to focus on, and how to use your strengths in the workout. Show up the next day, Saturday, and go full force for your official score. All scores must be turned in no later than Monday at 6pm our time.

CrossFit Pagosa’s Affiliate Page: You can check out who at our gym is registered for the Open, their scores, and make comments. We have seven athletes so far: Jacob Miskimens, Teddy Wyant, Bryce Heckman, Juliette Watt, Kari Eden, Lars Schneider, and Sariah Ellsmore. If you have registered than please make sure you select an affiliate so that it will show up as our “team!” http://games.crossfit.com/affiliate/7333

Good Luck!