What’s all the chatter about the Open?wp-1487118804329.jpg

The CrossFit Open is a 5 week competition starting on February 23rd ending on March 27th. Every Thursday evening CrossFit Headquarters announces the workout and people have 4 days, until Monday evening, to complete. Scaled and masters categories are offered. For most, it’s a test of where you stack up against your peers, for the elite it is the first phase in qualifying for the CrossFit Games. It costs $20 to sign up on the CrossFit Games website.

CrossFit Prelude has adopted its own intramural version of the Open for free! We will divide members into teams and compete together for the coveted Prelude Open Top Prize and bragging rights of course. Every Saturday during the Open we will host the workouts, with the goal being to have fun and bring the community together. The Prelude Open includes a sixth workout on April 1st to determine the supreme team! The Open is a lot of fun and a great opportunity to test your fitness, talk a little smack to your friends, and strengthen bonds within our community. But what if you are a newbie or not a steely eyed competitor? No worries – the Prelude Open is designed to scale the scale, and points are awarded for various types of participation, not solely athletic prowess. There are many ways to score points for your team that have nothing to do with your Open workout performance. Your team captains and assignments have already been chosen, and will be announced within the next few days.

For the competitive exercisers of the group, remember it is just exercise! Don’t let the workouts consume you, it’s not worth beating yourself up (or your judge for no-repping you!). Give each workout everything you’ve got, leave no doubt in your mind – then move on.

I admit that I dread the Open season because of the stress I put on myself …and Larris. This will be my fifth Open and each year I try to take it and myself less seriously, because it’s just exercise! The coaches and I have a ton of ‘tips’ for anyone interested, but our biggest recommendation is to HAVE FUN and support each other!