CrossFit Open Workout 25.3 has finally been released. Check it out.
CrossFit Open Workout 25.3
For time:
- 5 Wall Walks
- 50-Calorie Row
- 5 Wall Walks
- 25 Deadlifts (weight 1)
- 5 Wall Walks
- 25 Cleans (weight 2)
- 5 Wall Walks
- 25 Snatches (weight 3)
- 5 Wall Walks
- 50-Calorie Row
Time cap: 20 minutes
Prescribed Weights:
- Men: 155 lb (70 kg), 85 lb (38 kg), 65 lb (29 kg)
- Women: 225 lb (102 kg), 135 lb (61 kg), 95 lb (43 kg)
The History of the CrossFit Open
The CrossFit Open is the largest and most inclusive fitness competition in the world. It serves as the first stage of the CrossFit Games season, allowing athletes of all levels to test their fitness and compete against the global community.
Since its inception in 2011, the Open has grown exponentially, shaping the landscape of competitive CrossFit and serving as a proving ground for elite athletes and everyday gym-goers alike.
Origins and Purpose
Before 2011, qualification for the CrossFit Games was limited to a series of in-person Regional events. However, as the sport grew, CrossFit HQ sought a way to involve more people in the qualification process. The solution was the CrossFit Open, an online competition that allowed athletes worldwide to participate by completing workouts and submitting scores.
The Open was designed to:
- Provide a fair, scalable, and inclusive competition for all levels.
- Identify the fittest athletes in each region.
- Serve as the first step toward qualifying for the CrossFit Games.
Evolution of the CrossFit Open
Since its launch in 2011, the Open has undergone several changes in structure, format, and qualification pathways.
2011-2018: The Original Format
- The Open debuted in 2011 with six weeks of workouts. Participants performed the workouts in their own gyms, either submitting video evidence or being judged by an affiliate.
- Athletes competed for spots in Regionals, which served as the second qualification stage before advancing to the CrossFit Games.
- This format remained consistent through 2018, with five weeks of workouts (usually ranging from AMRAPs to max lifts and time-based challenges).
Notable Moments:
- 2013: Over 138,000 athletes registered, making it the largest CrossFit competition in history at that time.
- 2014: The infamous 14.5 workout introduced a brutal thruster-burpee ladder that challenged even elite competitors.
- 2018: The Open had a record 429,000 participants, demonstrating CrossFit’s continued growth.
2019-2020: A Major Overhaul
- In 2019, CrossFit HQ announced a dramatic restructuring of the CrossFit Games qualification system.
- Regionals were eliminated and replaced with Sanctionals, independently hosted competitions that provided direct invites to the Games.
- The Open became twice a year for the first time, occurring in February and October (though this changed back in 2021).
- A new rule allowed national champions (the top athlete from each country in the Open) to qualify directly for the Games.
Key Changes and Highlights:
- 2019: Mat Fraser and Tia-Clair Toomey dominated, but the Open allowed many new faces to qualify for the Games.
- 2020: Due to COVID-19, many competitions, including the Games, were scaled down. The Open, however, remained a key event.
2021-Present: The Modern Open
- The Open was reduced to three weeks, making it shorter and more accessible.
- A quarterfinals stage was introduced as an intermediate step between the Open and the Semifinals, replacing Sanctionals.
- 2021 marked the first year where athletes could compete from home, submitting scores using the “At Home” equipment-free division.
Recent Innovations:
- 2021: The Open introduced foundations and adaptive divisions, making it even more inclusive.
- 2022-2023: CrossFit continued refining the format, making small adjustments to the competition structure.
- 2024: More divisions and a focus on grassroots participation were emphasised.
The Impact of the CrossFit Open
The CrossFit Open has fundamentally shaped the sport in several ways:
- Global Reach: With hundreds of thousands of participants, the Open remains the most accessible fitness competition in the world.
- Athlete Development: Many elite competitors—like Justin Medeiros, Laura Horvath, and Mal O’Brien—first gained recognition through strong Open performances.
- Community Engagement: Local CrossFit gyms (affiliates) use the Open as a benchmark event, encouraging members to participate and push their limits.
The CrossFit Open has evolved from a simple online competition to a global phenomenon, allowing everyday athletes to compete alongside the fittest on Earth. Whether as a stepping stone to the Games or a personal fitness challenge, the Open continues to inspire and shape the CrossFit community worldwide.
