As we begin the official start of the CrossFit Games season, there may be some emotions that follow. The Worldwide Open is the first competition that kicks off the season. This is exactly what it sounds like. It is an international competition that is open to anyone. This may be your first time doing the Open or your 10th. Maybe you have never even heard of the CrossFit Open. Today’s newsletter will breakdown how to approach the Open for the average athlete that is not planning to compete in the CrossFit Games this season.
Test Your Fitness
Since people all around the world are competing in this competition, it creates a sense of excitement. The workouts are typically a bit more intense than your daily workouts. With this being the case, you may be pushing harder than usual. This urge to work harder is normal. This is a great opportunity to test your fitness in ways that you may not have before. Some athletes have never been in a competition atmosphere. Those that have, understand the different feeling a competition provides.
Identify Weaknesses
In our fitness journeys, we are often challenged. Each year, the Open offers movements that will expose weaknesses. Instead of looking at this as failure, try to look at it in a different light. This is a great time to take a step back and identify that this movement or group of movements is not a strong point. In that examination, try and pinpoint the area that you need to improve. Doing so will help you better achieve those movements in the future. This may include increasing your cardio capacity or improving your mobility and or flexibility. It also may just be a matter of strength. Those are all simple areas that one of our coaches can help you work through. All we need from you is the effort to get you there!
Celebrate Victories
In addition to the intensity, the CrossFit Open offers opportunities to try new movements and weights. The workouts are very black and white in the sense that there is not a lot of room for adjustments. This keeps it standardized and makes it easier to judge. The other side of it means that the scaling may be a bit different from what you’re used to. This provides opportunities to hit a PR (personal record) on a heavy lift that you’ve never tried before. A PR may also be as simple as getting your first clean pull from the floor. It may also be something bigger like your first pull-up. Make sure to celebrate all of your achievements, big or small. Remember that it is an accomplishment to simply participate.
