Even if you’re new to CrossFit, chances are you’ve heard of the “Open.” The 2015 CrossFit Open season is upon us!! Read below to learn more about the Open and how you can get involved.
What is the “Open?”
Officially, the Open is the first level of competition for athletes to qualify for the CrossFit Games. However, for 99.999% of CrossFitters, the Open is simply a once-a-year opportunity to push yourself to new limits, experience the intensity of competition, and see how you stack up against CrossFitters around the world. (Last year, over 200,000 people registered for the Open!) To learn more about the CrossFit Games check out these links:
This year, there are 2 major changes to the Open. First, they are introducing a scaled division, so athletes can choose the programming that best matches their abilities (more on this in the FAQs, below). Also, they are introducing a Teenage Division, for athletes ages 14-17.
When is the “Open?”
This year, the Open season will run from February 26 – March 30. Every Thursday for 5 consecutive weeks 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. All scored are validated either by video submission or by the affiliate owners.
When and Where Can I do the Open WODs?
At ICA, we will run the Open WODs on Fridays during all 6 classes. You DO NOT need to be registered for the Open to come do the workouts! If a registered athlete can not make it to a Friday workout, please let us know as soon as possible. We will do our best to arrange for a judge to be available over the weekend or on Monday. However, there are no guarantees, so please do your best to attend on Friday!
Other FAQS:
1. What if I need to scale an Open WOD?
For the first time ever, scaled versions will be available for all Open workouts, so athletes can choose the programming that best matches their abilities. The intent of the scaled workouts is to allow everyone who wants to compete, to compete at an appropriate level. Choosing the scaled version of the workout one week will not prevent an athlete from doing the next workout as prescribed. Those athletes who choose to do all five Open workouts scaled will be visible on the Scaled Leaderboard, where they can compete with their peers. However, the scaled workouts are not for anyone who’s fighting to advance to the next stage of the CrossFit Games season. One rep of the prescribed version of the workout will be ranked ahead of the best score of the scaled version of the workout—we want to celebrate and reward the hard-earned first-ever chest-to-bar pull-ups, double-unders and snatch PRs. If you cannot get one rep of the prescribed version of the workout, or simply find the scaled workout more appropriate for you, you’ll be able to opt for scaled.
2. What’s the deal with the Teenage Division?
The teenage division is for athletes who are between 14 and 17 years old as of the close of score submissions for Open Workout 15.1 (March 2). The teenage division will have an overall Leaderboard, and the teens will perform a different version of the Open workout than the adult male and female competitors. The winners of the teenage division will be crowned after the fifth and final week of the Open. Teens will not be in the running for regionals as a team or individual competitor.
3. What about Masters?
There are Masters divisions in 5 year increments for athletes over the age of 40. Each age bracket will have its own scaled version of the Open WOD. At the end of the Open, the world’s top 200 masters athletes in each age division will be automatically entered into the Masters Qualifier, which is a second online competition that will take place April 23-27.
4. How do I qualify for Regionals?
At the end of the Open, the top 20 men, 20 women, and 15 teams from each region are invited to the Regionals. Any athlete who is attempting to qualify for Regionals is required to use a registered Judge (all ICA coaches will be registered judges), and all of their Open workouts must be videotaped.
5. Will the Friday Open WOD count as one of my classes for the week?
Yes, the Open WOD will count as a class, so any punchcard or 2x/week members should plan accordingly.
6. How much does it cost to register for the Open?
Historically registration has been $20 for individual athletes; we expect this year to be the same.
7. Okay, I’m in. How do I register?
Register on the CrossFit Games website. Remember to choose CrossFit Phoenixville as your affiliate!! If you have any questions, talk to John, Nikki or any of your coaches.
