CrossFitters everywhere know that there comes a time, usually between February 23rd and March 27th, that athletes around the world undergo the first level of testing their fitness. This test is called “The Open”, and it consists of 5 different workouts; one a week, that will make you wish you had spent more time doing double-unders than grabbing a beer with your fellow athletes. Of course, as athletes in general, we test our fitness every time we walk through that ominous garage door; but, these workouts are done by everyone on a different level. In fact, a lot of us focus extremely hard on our weaknesses, and improving more in fitness to get us ready for the open. Some of us don’t do the open, some of us work hard to improve during the open and a percentage eventually move up the ranks (I call these folks superhuman).

If you are new or thinking about trying CrossFit out for the first time; don’t be scared, because you can modify the open however you need. The CrossFit world has prided themselves on making CrossFit something that everyone can feel involved in; everyone is a different kind of fit and the CrossFit world understands that.

Before doing the open, there are some things you should know. You will have a judge; the judge's job is to count reps, no-rep you, make sure you’re doing the movements correctly/safely and provide you with a little feedback. You can get a no-rep for numerous reasons; not hitting depth in your squat, not locking out all the way on a press or not jumping correctly when doing a burpee over bar. The thing to remember about this experience is not to get discouraged by a no-rep and keep pushing to hit every rep correctly after.

My first open experience was great! It was a chipper for time, a chipper is a type of workout where you have a set rep scheme with different movements and you essentially “chip away” at your workout for time. My first open workout was this:

21 Thrusters

21 Burpee over Bar

18 Thrusters

18 Burpee over Bar

15 Thrusters

15 Burpee over Bar

12 Thrusters

12 Burpee over Bar

9 Thrusters

9 Burpee over Bar

6 Thrusters

6 Burpee over Bar

3 Thrusters

3 Burpee over Bar

It’s a different feeling when you’re looking at that countdown; you feel a lot of things. Mostly that you need to pee; but, I’m not going to get into that. Usually you’re looking at your bar and waiting for those three final beeps. When the clock starts all you want to do is get the workout done. This workout in particular was cardio! I think I had around 10 no-reps (don’t get discouraged) and they were honestly for the most simplistic thing during the workout and that was: landing with two feet, while jumping over the bar, during burpee over bars. I quickly figured it out and was able to move on from that (pride in tact still). When you’re in the double digits, the workout feels like hell; but, as you get into the single digits you break past that dreadful wall.

I have thought about how to describe this workout over and over again in my head and the only thing that comes to mind is the burpees. When doing a burpee (that’s included in a workout that’s fast and for time) you want to utilize the least amount of energy as possible; so, doing a burpee with your legs wide enough to not bend into a squat and throwing your body down on the ground like a fish out of water (instead of doing a push-up) is the way to go. If I could describe this workout in one phrase, it would be just that: you’re a fish out of water. It is an amazing cardio workout with thrusters and burpees being the movements of choice and by the end of it, you just want to lay on the floor next to your bar a gasp for air (like a fish out of water). But, don’t freak out and run for the hills; try this workout and you will not regret the rush you get at the end of it!