THE ALL IN OPEN

If you have been to ALL IN CrossFit the past two Fridays, then you know that the CrossFit Open is right around the corner. The Open is a worldwide competition, open to ANYONE, and is the first step on the road to the CrossFit Games. Last year, almost 140,000 athletes competed in the Open, and this year, CrossFit is expecting even more. Most of us do not participate with hopes of making it to the Games. We do so to challenge ourselves, to test our fitness, and to experience the thrill of competition.

The Open is a five-week competition beginning on Thursday, February 27th when CrossFit releases the first workout. You will have until the following Monday to complete the workout and to submit your score. You must do the workout as prescribed by CrossFit- no scaling movements or weights. There will be a judge counting your reps and ensuring you are meeting the movement standards. The good news is that CrossFit usually structures the workouts so that a portion of it can be completed by the newest of CrossFitters. A new workout will be released every Thursday the following four weeks.

Chris and I have been thinking about a way to encourage participation by our members in the Open. We think competition brings out the best in people, creates camaraderie, and inspires others. We want to create an environment for our members- no matter the fitness level- in which they feel comfortable taking on the Open. Thanks to our friends at Catalyst Fitness, we are proud to introduce the ALL IN OPEN!

Here’s how it works:

• ALL IN members need to go here: https://games.crossfit.com/cf/login?returnTo=%2Fcompetition&flow=games to sign-up for the Open. Please select ALL IN CrossFit as your affiliate. The cost is $20.

• Based on the number of members who sign-up for the Open, ALL IN will create several teams. Teams will have captains, and team members will need to come up with a name for their team.

• Teams will earn points as follows:

+1 point: Every member of a team that completes an Open workout and submits a score each week will earn one point. Maximum one point per athlete per workout.

+1: The top three male and female athletes for each workout will earn one point for their team.

+1: One point will be awarded to any team who has a member willing to do the Open workout in a head-to-head format with another participant on Thursday night following the workout announcement.

+2: One athlete each week will be designated “Spirit of the Open” and will earn two points for his or her team. This athlete will not necessarily be the athlete with the best score but will be someone who persevered in a workout or is otherwise deserving of this honor.

+5: The team with the most noise, pride, and presence each week will receive five bonus points for their team.

• Teams are invited to come to the gym on Thursday nights at 7 pm for the live announcement of the Open workout. We are also planning to have two athletes go head-to-head immediately following the announcement so come cheer them on!

• Workouts will be performed on Fridays during regular class times whether you are signed up for the Open or not. We would like to encourage Open participants to attend the 5:30 pm class time to do the workout then as a group.

• If you would like to repeat a workout or cannot be there on a Friday, we will announce a time on Saturdays or Sundays for you to do the workout.

• Participants MUST submit their scores on the CrossFit Open website by Mondays at 5 pm in order to earn a point for their team.

• At the end of the five weeks, we will have an ALL IN Open celebration where our top team will be announced. Prizes will be awarded.

The ALL IN OPEN is not about being the best athlete in the gym. It is about being YOUR best. It is about building community within our gym. It is about challenging yourself and getting out of your comfort zone.

If you have any questions about the CrossFit Open or the ALL IN OPEN, please talk to Shelby or Chris. We know that you will not regret participating and may even surprise yourself at what you accomplish.