I have been doing CrossFit for nearly 7 years, and I have never competed in a CrossFit Open.
So as part of my Fifty before 50, I wanted to set myself a challenge of completing at least one.
Why haven’t I done a Games before?
Truthfully, I’m not 100% sure.
Maybe because I was daunted by the concept of entering a competition.
I have completed previous competition workouts in classes, and they were awful!
Also, I am not really that competitive. I am not the best at CrossFit, so why would I enter something where I know I wouldn’t win?
The only person I am generally competitive with is myself. I want to improve on what I’ve achieved.
Additionally, I’m not a fan of people watching me. Even in class, I tend to place myself at the back of the room so there are fewer eyes on me!
So why now?
Since moving boxes (gym), I have become more confident in myself and what I can achieve.
Plus after 7 years, it’s about time I did one…at least!
It has also become apparent, that winning isn’t the main reason that a lot of people enter the competition. It’s about taking part, the vibe and support from the box, and the challenge it gives.
What is CrossFit Games?
While some of you may know what CrossFit is, you may not have any idea what CrossFit Games is. However, you’ve probably guessed by now, it’s a sports competition!
The first part, The Open, is three workouts completed over three weeks.
And as this is an actual competition, there are rules you have to follow, and you are judged to make sure you follow them. I mean, this shit is real!
The Open, as it says in the name, is open to everyone. People who participate in CrossFit are of all ages, shapes and sizes, so why shouldn’t they enter?
You can complete the workout as prescribed (Rx), or a scaled version. There is also the foundation workout for those who have just started or just want to take part.
Once the Open is complete, the top 25% of the age divisions are invited to the next stage, the Quarterfinals!
The tops of each region get together for a semifinal competition. Then the CrossFit Games is the final which is held in August!
I can guarantee that I will not be getting to any arena!
The workouts
CrossFit Open 24.1
I was approaching the Open with the sense of “just do it”! It’s just about participation more than anything.
My initial thought was to do the scaled workouts, but if I can do the Rx then try that instead.
And this is how I approached 24.1.
I was aware of the shoulder pain I have been experiencing since November, so doing the heavier weight (22.5kg) might have been a challenge, so I went for the scaled version, which was the same workout but with a 15kg dumbell.
Trust me, this may look like an easy workout but 1) it had burpees, 2) I don’t like burpees and 3) there were a lot of burpees!
But, I did it. I was able to finish the workout within the allocated time at 13.25, and I was happy with the final results.
Then after a day or so, I started to regret not going Rx. I know I could have done the weight, and my shoulder would have been fine. But I got in my head, that I was going to scale, and that is what I did!
CrossFit Open 24.2
While I completed the first workout on my own, this time I was able to join the box’s Open night, where a group of members got together to push each other on.
I can say the experience of group support does push you, and taking into account that I’m self-conscious and prefer to hide in the background while working out, I wasn’t that bothered about it here.
As for the workout, I was looking forward to this one as it had some of my favourite exercises in there. Granted, by the end I was wondering why!
This time, I decided that I would go for Rx. I knew it would be challenging, but it was also achievable for me. I can deadlift 83kg no problem. 10 reps? Sure!
So I set myself a target of getting 6 rounds completed in the 20-minute time cap.
I completed the workout with 5 rounds and 35 reps. I was extremely happy with that.
This one for me, was the worst of all the workouts. It was very deceiving. Your legs just forget how to work.
While I was competent at double-unders, I was struggling with them in this workout, I learnt that this was both a physical and mental hurdle you needed to get over.
CrossFit Open 24.3
The final workout of the Open was split into two parts, and contained skills I wasn’t confident in, or even had…chest-to-bar and muscle-ups!
My initial thought of seeing this workout was “WTF”, and automatically succumbed to the idea that I would be doing the scaled version of this workout.
However, when I got to the box and said this, the coach Nikko, gave me the look which meant that this wouldn’t be happening.
So yeah, I changed my mind not knowing how far I’d get!
Here’s the thing, a large proportion of people would not get to the 2nd part of the workout, and I was here stressing about that. So I decided to take it out of the equation.
So I entered this workout with trepidation, and ended it surprising myself at how far I got!
Thrusters are not one of my favourite exercises, but I approached them in the workout wisely. I tried to keep a slow and steady pace the whole way through.
As for chest-to-bars, I far exceeded my expectations. In fact, I was surprised to get one, let alone 50!
Earlier that week, we had been practising CtB, and I was struggling to even achieve one, but I was able to do it in the competition.
Maybe it was because of the competition that I was able to push myself. While warming up, I was able to get one, and it gave me the confidence to do it.
Plus, failing at them would mean that I needed to do more of them!
I think there was only one instance where I got a no-rep. I was making sure my chest was hitting that bar…and I had the bruises to show for it!
Final thoughts
Don’t be scared
I don’t know why I ran away from competing in the games for so long, but it really isn’t that scary!
As I said previously, the Open is for everyone. Regardless of age, gender or size.
Whether you compete in Rx, scaled or even foundation, if you like to push yourself with a workout that may be a little more challenging than you do regularly, then why not?
Environment counts
The first workout I did on my own, apart from the judge obviously, and it was fine. The other two I did with a group, and I enjoyed the latter ones more because there was a social aspect to it too.
The point of CrossFit is to be there for each other and to push each other along, and I feel we all did that at Rush242.
I am a little bit competitive
I am a lot more competitive than I thought I was! That doesn’t mean I was competing to get to the Games.
While my thoughts were internal, I wanted to try and beat other teammates at the box.
Granted, you are still pushing your team to do their best, but secretly hoping they won’t beat your score.
Just Rx
I’m not saying you should Rx, but if you think you can achieve some of it, then go ahead.
I learnt, that regardless of how far you get, your score for Rx will always be higher than the scaled version. So now I am regretting 24.1 and going scaled!
So, do the Rx workout for as far as possible, that’s when your competition ends. Then continue on the scaled option so you are still getting a full workout.
It’s okay not to finish
There is this mentality that you have to finish the workout, and if you don’t you have failed.
Sometimes, they are designed in a way to challenge even the cream of the crop. There are so many people competing and they are all at different levels of fitness and experience.
The cliche saying “It’s the taking part that counts” really does resonate here.
CrossFit Open 2025?
In a nutshell, yes! Obviously, it depends on the current situation, but I will look to do the Open again next year.
Next time though, the competition will be with me again. I now have a ranking. So next year, the plan is to finish higher!
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