NOTE: This is a previous announcement – click here for the CrossFit Open Workout 20.5.
What is the first workout for the 2020 Crossfit Open? We should find out in just a few short hours – see it live on Rogue’s Iron Game tonight at 7pm CST.
Here’s links to the open workouts that have happened so far:
CrossFit has become a popular sport across the United States and there are a lot of questions around the details of it. That said, CrossFit is not just seen as a sport, but as a lifestyle. This lifestyle is focused on effective exercise, balanced nutrition, and achieving goals that you make for yourself. Every workout is different and varies on the athlete’s experience and strength level. The ultimate goal is to support long term health and wellness by creating a support group of like-minded people. All exercises can be modified to fit every athlete’s needs. Here we will break down the basics of CrossFit and provide important details, dates, and insider opinions.
The CrossFit Open is the first qualifying stage of the CrossFit Games and is open to any athlete wanting the opportunity to possibly participate in the annual CrossFit Games. The Open takes place in several regions across the world, with several in the U.S. These are held to find the fittest athletes in each region. The Open involves 5 workouts over 5 weeks and you submit your best scores online after the official workouts have been posted. Not only is this a way to get competitive with the sport, but it allows individuals to obtain realistic data regarding their abilities and set reasonable goals for the following year. Anyone is invited to participate and put their abilities to the test.
The last Open happened in May of 2019, but many will be thrilled to know that there is another Open in October of 2019. With that said, the rules and events schedule for CrossFit has changed a bit. Many people are wondering why there is a second Open. The CrossFit Open format has changed due to an increased number of CrossFit participants as well as regional competitors. More countries have licensed CrossFit athletes and it was necessary to hold a second Open. The October Open will determine who will participate in the 2020 CrossFit Games. The biggest change in CrossFit is that there are no longer regional events. The changes are due to the high cost of hosting regional events. It can cost each region millions of dollars for only two athletes to move onto the world wide Games. There are mow 18 sanctioned events that take place and the winning athletes of these events will be invited to participate in the 2020 CrossFit Games.
Affiliates and Athletes have varied opinions about the new format for the Games. Many of the American CrossFit athletes are concerned about the quality of the games as there will be fewer athletes from this region. It is much harder for American athletes to qualify for the games because there are fewer spots available. On a positive note, CrossFit seems to be going away from the focus on sports and more focused on health and well being. The goal of the new style of CrossFit competition is to be more inclusive of all regions and bring people together. This is a positive message and goal, but the execution may be lacking. Many are concerned that due to the increase in participants that the overall quality of the games and competition will decrease. Originally, anyone who made it to the CrossFit Games was there on merit, but now it is a more inclusive playing field and several CrossFit champions are not thrilled.
The Open has been important to CrossFit in the past because it truly picked the best of the best athletes in the region. Only two athletes were to move onto the Games: one male and one female. This format allowed the field of athletes to be narrowed down significantly and allowed the elites to compete against one another. The Open served as an important preliminary phase and many athletes and affiliates worry about the quality of the Games without it.
I would consider myself to be an amateur athlete but have never participated in the Open personally. I have friends who have participated in the past and they have a lot of positive remarks about their experiences. From my understanding, the CrossFit Open can be an empowering experience for every level of CrossFit athlete. The Open allowed everyone to participate in the event from professionals to amateurs who have two weeks of experience under their belts. The Open was the best way for an athlete to get a feel for what it is like to be judged at a real competition and test their abilities. Many amateurs go in knowing that they don’t have a chance to qualify for the Games, however, it is an important even none the less. It is an opportunity for all athletes to have a goal and train to accomplish something incredibly difficult. Sometimes, you never know what you are capable of until you are pushed to your limits. Often athletes set new personal records during the open and surprise themselves.
One of the most valuable parts of the Open is that it gives you a realistic perspective of your current abilities. You cannot get better until you know what you are starting with. The Open is seen as a test that provides accurate feedback. Once you know your results, you can make new goals and train appropriately. So even though you may not have any chance at making the Games, it is a necessary step for self-improvement when it comes to CrossFit.
Despite several changes to the qualification process of the sport, CrossFit still remains one of the most popular forms of fitness and continues to change lives.
Be sure to watch the CrossFit Open 20.1 Announcement Live – courtesy of Rogue Fitness.
