Why I Love the CrossFit Open

The CrossFit Open is a worldwide fitness competition. Any human on planet Earth can partake. And I mean anyone. Absolute beginners, novice enthusiasts, my Mom, professional athletes, folks with disabilities, youths and teens, some fitness, no fitness - the CrossFit Open is for anyone.

You sign up, you do three workouts over three weeks, get in a few good sweats, and then you reflect on the experience.

The cost is $20. Next to nothing when considering what it can give you.

And this is where my emotional responses bubble up. A mixture of exuberant joy, nervousness, and unity. A deep penetrating passion and fervor. I can't quite pinpoint why my internal chemistry reacts so profoundly to such an event. But as I write these words, my hands literally tremble when striking the keys. My eyes well up with tears. My God, I do love it so. 

What the CrossFit Open represents for me, well... it's central, it's core, it's part of my nucleus. It's one of the most basic parts of identity, my substance, and the ardor it invokes has been with me for as long as I can remember. I hope to impart a small bit of that feeling to you. 

Here are my reasons.

Do the Hard Thing

If it's anything, the CrossFit Open is a challenge. Physically and mentally. The workouts are designed to make you think and to make you sweat.

At some point in your life, you will be challenged. You will face an extremely hard decision or there will be some physical barrier to negotiate. How will you react in this situation? Did you prepare yourself to be resilient? To overcome? Can you do the hard thing?

Whether it's physical, emotional, or mental, doing the "hard thing" can be trained just like anything else. Repetitions matter. Putting yourself in challenging situations matter. And that's what the CrossFit Open is about. Putting yourself in a mentally and physically challenging position, in a controlled environment, so when you face a difficult challenge in a chaotic, unforgiving, and demanding world, you will be ready.

You are Human

And humans require relationships. We need friendships, love, and connection. We need support. We yearn for community.

The CrossFit Open provides a sense of belonging, a feeling of togetherness and solidarity. Through the CrossFit Open, we have a common interest that unites us. Every participant has a weekly test we must perform.

Imagine one big family, sharing in a struggle, supporting one another through a challenge. Reach out your hand. Your friend is waiting to provide support. Recognize the pain in someone's eyes? Give them encouragement, help them overcome. This is community. It is a fundamental aspect of the human condition. It is core tenet to any relationship or friendship. 

Community is the CrossFit Open and it's the aspect of the Open that I hold so dear.

There are other positive characteristics of the CrossFit Open that deserve praise and explanation: the feeling of accomplishment, general competition (against others or your previous self), and the fitness itself, just to name a few.

But facing challenges head on and doing so with your gym family are the two most important.

I hope this article inspired you to sign up.

I'll forever do the CrossFit Open, for as long as there's one to do.

I'm Coach Joe Marcavage. I've owned CrossFit Vertex since it opened in 2012 and I've been working on my own health and fitness for over 30 years. I'd love to meet up to discuss how CrossFit Vertex can help you achieve your health and fitness goals. Joe's Schedule.

Joe Marcavage

Owner, CrossFit Vertex