by Coach Vanessa Dickens
The Crossfit Open is an online, five-week event, with five workouts announced on Thursdays and you have until Monday to complete the workout and submit your score.
Even if you cannot do the exact prescribed weight or you feel your gymnastics skills aren’t up to par for any or most of the Open workouts, you will most likely surprise yourself with what you are able to accomplish. The Open is about calling on the best in yourself no matter your current level. You are physically stronger than your mind lets you believe. Now it’s time to prove it! Plus with the scaled division, there are really no reasons not to sign up!
Still not sold on the idea?
Well, let’s take a minute to reflect, I’m sure some of you may have competed as kids whether during sports or just racing siblings to the car. Some of you may have competed in college. As we grow up sometimes we often feel like we need to retire that side of us. Even if we compete for jobs and accounts and other “grown up” things, but more often than not, we have forgotten the adrenaline rush that comes from competing. Even if you don’t think your a competitive person there is something magical about putting yourself on the line that sparks inspiration.
During the Open workouts, you get a opportunity to do the same exact workouts as the best of the best! If you are a fan of the top CrossFit athletes, it’s exciting to match your stats to theirs. The progression of CrossFit has grown leaps and bounds. Seeing their scores at the top of the leaderboard only deepens your appreciation for their dedication, skill, and strength.
At Paramount, we have Friday Night Lights during the Open workouts. All friends and family are invited to come to the big show to dance, cheer, scream! On a technical note, we assign heats, print score sheets, have judges. But most importantly, we keep it fun! This is about our community; the bonds we create during competition makes it feel like we’re going to battle together. We’re all nervous, but we know that we are willing to give it our all! So be open to exploring the best you have to offer right now, in this moment.
Have fun and get ready for Open Season!
“If there is anyone out there with self doubt, I can promise you it’s a fun 5-week experience! Last year at this time I was coming off of the gym’s introductory fitness challenge and was brand new to CrossFit. I registered for the scaled work outs in the Open and had a blast! We may not be Tia Clair Toomey or Mat Fraser, but you will bring the best version of yourself on the floor and that’s one of the most invigorating feeling in the world! If I can’t convince you, check out the documentary “Fittest on Earth” on Netflix. If that doesn’t pump you up, I don’t know what else will.”
—Maria Eggers, Paramount member