Competing in the CrossFit Open

Every year, the CrossFit Open brings athletes from all over the world together to test their fitness, challenge their limits, and see how they’ve improved. Whether you're a seasoned competitor or signing up for the first time, the Open isn’t just about leaderboard rankings—it’s about tracking your progress year after year.

So why should you sign up? And how can you use the Open to measure your growth in CrossFit? Let’s break it down.

Why Compete in the CrossFit Open?

For many, the idea of competing in the Open sounds intimidating. But here’s the truth: the Open is for everyone. With multiple divisions—including Rx, Scaled, and even Foundations—there’s a level for every athlete, whether you're aiming for the CrossFit Games or just challenging yourself.

The Open is an opportunity to:
✅ Push past mental and physical barriers
✅ Test your fitness in a structured, measurable way
✅ Compare your performance year over year
✅ Experience the energy of the global CrossFit community
✅ Set goals for the future

It’s not about being the fittest in the gym—it’s about being fitter than you were last year.

Using the Open to Track Progress

One of the most valuable aspects of the Open is the ability to see how you stack up against your past self. Since Open workouts often include repeat movements or even identical workouts from previous years (hello, Open workout retests!), you get a clear benchmark of your progress.

Here’s how to make the most of tracking your improvement:

1. Keep a Record of Your Scores

Whether you use the CrossFit Games leaderboard, a fitness tracking app, or an old-school notebook, document your reps, weights, and any modifications you made. Write down:
✔️ Your final score
✔️ How you felt during the workout
✔️ What you struggled with
✔️ What went well

This helps you identify patterns and see where you’re improving.

2. Compare Movement Efficiency

Progress isn’t just about lifting heavier or finishing faster—it’s also about moving better. Look back at videos from previous years. Are your double-unders smoother? Are you pacing your workouts more effectively? Small improvements add up.

3. Track Strength and Endurance Gains

The Open tests a variety of skills—strength, gymnastics, conditioning. If a barbell movement felt impossible last year but now you can RX the workout, that’s a huge win! Likewise, if you can maintain a faster pace in a cardio-heavy workout, that’s proof of improved endurance.

4. Set Goals for Next Year

Once the Open ends, reflect on what you want to improve. Maybe you were this close to your first pull-up or struggled with a heavy clean. Use those takeaways to shape your training for the year ahead. Then, when the next Open rolls around, you’ll have tangible progress to measure.

The Open Is a Celebration of Progress

At the end of the day, the CrossFit Open isn’t just a competition—it’s a checkpoint in your fitness journey. It’s a chance to see how far you’ve come, challenge yourself, and set new goals.

So if you’re on the fence about signing up, ask yourself: Where do I want to be a year from now? The best way to find out? Compete, track your progress, and show up stronger next time.

Are you ready to test yourself in this year’s Open? Let’s go! 💪🔥