The Open is upon us!
If you are new to CrossFit, it’s likely you have no idea what that even means. That’s why I’m here! To tell you ALL about it and why you (yes, YOU!) should sign up for it!
Every year, CrossFit seems to get more and more popular. The original CrossFit Games were open to everyone and anyone who thought they were good enough to be titled “The Fittest on Earth.” Once CrossFit’s popularity began to skyrocket, CrossFit HQ decided they needed a structured event that would narrow down the field but still allow everyone to participate. Thus, the CrossFit Open was born.
The CrossFit Open is a 5-week, online-based competition. Each week, a single workout is released. You have a long weekend to complete the workout and register your score online, and then sit back and see where you stack up against thousands of people all around the globe.
I know what you’re thinking. “I don’t think I’m The Fittest on Earth, why would I sign up?” Every single person that has a membership to a CrossFit gym should sign up for the Open. If you can complete a CrossFit workout, you can compete in the Open.
The CrossFit Games has truly made the Open for everyone. There are masters age groups, teen age groups, and both Rx and scaled variations to all the workouts. The workouts are designed to test your skills and push your limits.
The community is what makes CrossFit, CrossFit. Check out CrossFit’s social media pages during the Open to see people getting their first muscle-up, chest-to-bar pull-up, toes-to-bar, 14# wall ball, the list goes on! The Open is my favorite time of year. Everyone comes together to support each other to do their best. It’s unlike anything you will ever experience, I promise!
Make sure to sign up early, and head out to the gym Friday night on 2/24!
– Coach Catie
Thanks, Coach Catie! And now, some answers to some Frequently Asked Questions…
How will 5 Alarm participate in the Open?
The workout for each week will be released Thursday night by CrossFit HQ, and participants will have until Monday night at 7pm CST to submit their scores. For our part, 5 Alarm will host what we call Friday Night Lights each week of the Open, starting February 24, from 6-8pm. The gym will be roped off in a competition-style format and members will complete the CrossFit Open workout for that week, with judges and all.
In addition to simply running the Open workouts, we will be having a friendly inner-gym competition. 5 Alarm staff have already chosen 3 Team Captains (Wayne Geffon, Amie Mouser, and Mark Johnson). Everyone who has signed up for the Open by February 5th will be “drafted” by these Team Captains in a closed-door draft on February 6th. Any 5 Alarm member that registers after the draft will be randomly assigned to a team, so get in early!
How do I sign up?
Go to www.games.crossfit.com! Make sure you sign up under 5 Alarm CrossFit BOTH as your Affiliate AND your Team. Once you’ve finished registering, share it on Facebook!
Does it cost anything?
CrossFit charges you $20 when you register on the CrossFit Games website. There is no additional fee for Friday Night Lights.
What if I can’t do some of the movements/weights, should I still register to compete?
Absolutely! This isn’t about what you could or couldn’t do last year. It’s not about what other people in the gym can or can’t do. This experience is about YOU. We want you to push outside of that comfort zone and challenge yourself. Besides, who knows when you might get that first double under, HSPU, chest-to-bar pull-up, etc.? Also, if necessary, CrossFit HQ does a fantastic job of scaling each workout, so they do not have to be completed “Rx’d.”
If I do the Scaled Division, will my score still count toward the team competition?
It does! In fact, we will be using a scoring system that levels the playing field for everyone. Your team will DEFINITELY benefit from your participation.
I can’t make it on Friday nights, can I still participate?
Yes! We know that Friday’s won’t work for everyone. It is our goal to get as many people in on Friday as possible to cheer on one another and build our community, however, you can do the workout anytime the gym is open from the time they announce the workout on Thursday until Monday afternoon. The most common time for make-ups is Saturday during Open Gym. However, whenever you may choose to complete (or redo) the workout, it is your responsibility to make sure someone will be available to judge you.
I have the 3 times per week membership. Will Friday Night Lights count towards my 3 visits?
No! Friday Night Lights will NOT count towards your 3 visits for each week.
Will we be doing anything special or extra to prep for the Open?
“I always get a kick out of when people say they’re doing ‘Open Prep.’ I am too. It’s called CrossFit.” – Pat Sherwood
Have any other questions? Don’t hesitate to ask a Coach, or hit us up on social media!
