The 2018 CrossFit Open

What is the “Open?”

The Open is an annual, online, worldwide competition for CrossFit athletes. Technically, it is the first level of competition for elite CrossFit athletes to qualify for the CrossFit Games.

However, the Open is SO MUCH MORE than that! It is a once-a-year opportunity to push ourselves to new limits and experience the intensity and camaraderie of competition.  And for those who officially register online, the Open allows us to see how we stack up against CrossFitters from around the world.  To learn more about the CrossFit Games, start here: About the Games.

When is the “Open?”

The Open season is 5 weeks long, starting February 22.   Every Thursday night an Open workout will be posted to the Games website at 8:00pm. Registered athletes will have until that Monday at 8:00pm to complete the workout and post their scores online.

If you are a member at ICA, participating in the Open is easy! We’ll run the Open WODs on Fridays as the Workout of the Day. Even if you don’t register for the Open, you are welcome (and encouraged!) to attend class and complete the workouts. We’ll have normal classes at 5:15, 6:15, 9:30, and 12:00. In the afternoon, instead of set class times, we’ll be open from 3:30-7:00pm with heats running every 20-30 minutes (depending on the workout). Help us make it fun and festive by showing up as early as possible and staying as late as possible to cheer on your fellow athletes!

The Open Workouts

The CrossFit Games organization posts several variations for each Open WOD, to encourage participation at all ages and levels. There are age groups from teens (ages 14-17) through masters (35-60+), and each group has an Rx and scaled version of the WOD. The scaled workouts generally use lighter weights and eliminate high skill movements (such as muscle ups).

How Do I Register?

To register for the Open, visit the CrossFit Games website and follow the “REGISTER” link. Remember to choose CrossFit Phoenixville as your affiliate! Registration is $20.

In-House Open Competition

For some added fun, every year we run an in-house team competition based on the Open WODs. This year we’re splitting the gym into 6 “super teams,” captained by John, Nikki, Dave, Iggy, Tanya, and Kehl. Participation in the in-house competition is completely free! We encourage everyone to participate, even/especially our newest athletes! Here’s what you need to know:

• Signing up for the in-house competition means you’re committed to completing all 5 Open WODs. You’ll earn points for your team each week based on how you rank within ICA. (We understand that illnesses and other issues may arise and cause you to miss a week. We get it, and the way we score you won’t “hurt” your team if you miss a week. You just won’t help them by earning points.)
• Sign up starts NOW and closes on February 3rd.  We will draw teams from a hat after the Power Meet on the 3rd!
• There will be 2 sign up sheets – one for Rx and one for scaled. If you generally expect to complete the Rx versions of the Open workouts, list yourself under Rx. If you expect to do the scaled version for 3 or more Open WODs, list your name under scaled.
• Each week you can choose to do the workout scaled or Rx; however, 1 rep of the Rx version will be ranked higher than the best scaled score.
• Each team will have a team color, which you should sport each Friday! Be creative! We’ll have an Open t-shirt design available at our online store for only $15, or you can customize it with your name on the back for around $20. Buying a t-shirt is optional (but all the cool kids will do it…!)
• You do NOT need to register for the official/online Open in order to participate in the in-house competition.

If you have any questions, ask John, Nikki, or any ICA coach. When in doubt, sign up!