The 2025 CrossFit season has kicked off with great energy as the CrossFit Open, the highly anticipated annual competition where athletes worldwide aim for rankings to secure their spots at the prestigious CrossFit Games, begins. On February 27th, the first workout of the Open, designated as 25.1, was unveiled during a live announcement from Cookeville, Tennessee, promising high-level athletic display and intense competition.
Key details of the event were shared through live streaming on the CrossFit Games website and their YouTube channel, allowing fans to watch the action for free. The atmosphere, electric from the start, was palpable as elite athletes took center stage. This year’s event featured notable CrossFit competitors Roman Khrennikov, Haley Adams, and Austin Hatfield, who were set to undertake the first workout together.
Workout 25.1 is structured as a 15-minute AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) and involves completing three movements with ascending rep schemes. The specifics of the workout are as follows:
- Lateral burpees over dumbbell: Reps increase by 3 each round (e.g., 3, 6, 9, 12, etc.)
- Dumbbell hang clean to overhead: Reps also follow the same increase as the burpees
- Walking lunges (bodyweight only): 30 feet (two 15-foot lengths)
The prescribed weights for the movements vary across categories. For men competing at the RX (prescribed) level, the weight is set at 22.5kg, whilst scaled versions for different age groups vary from 10kg to 15kg depending on the athlete's category.
Highlighting the event’s significance, the CrossFit community eagerly awaited the performance of Khrennikov, Adams, and Hatfield, whose skills promise to inspire participants around the world. Khrennikov is no stranger to the podium, being a two-time CrossFit Games podium finisher and recently earning the ‘Spirit of the Games’ award for his impressive display under challenging circumstances. Adams has carved out her legacy with eight CrossFit Games appearances, maintaining his strong performance and finishing fifth during the last year's competition. Hatfield burst onto the scene with remarkable strength, evidenced by his two event wins during the last Games, and impressive rankings within the past two CrossFit Opens. Each of these athletes is set to demonstrate exceptional athleticism and skill, showcasing the essence of the CrossFit spirit.
A live ceremony leading to the workout’s announcement saw Rich Froning, the former reigning CrossFit champion, unexpectedly join the competition, adding to the allure and excitement of the event. The integration of Froning, alongside these rising stars, created an undeniably electrifying ambiance.
Aside from Workout 25.1, the Open consists of two additional events, Open Workout 25.2 announced on March 6, and Open Workout 25.3 on March 13, with submissions for each closing 5 PM PT days after their respective announcements. A new format allows for both registered athletes to see the top-level competition live and then gain four days to complete their own workouts and submit their scores.
CrossFit has witnessed significant growth and evolution over the years. This Open season stands as not just a competition, but as a celebration of fitness, with camaraderie among athletes and communities worldwide. Athletes from diverse backgrounds compete not only for individual glory but also to contribute to their teams and their local communities.
Once all Open workouts are completed, the top athletes will advance to the CrossFit Semifinals, composed of both virtual and on-site competitions, access to which will be determined through their Open performance. Later on, the best athletes will earn the chance to participate at the ultimate stage—the 2025 CrossFit Games scheduled for August 1-3, 2025, in Albany, New York.
The CrossFit Open serves as the starting block, promoting fitness and competitive spirit among fitness enthusiasts globally. With the excitement of the first workout now underway, the CrossFit community is buzzing, ready to engage with this year’s intense competition and cheer on their favorite athletes as they display grit, determination, and skill.
Stay tuned for the upcoming workouts and be part of the action by tuning in to the CrossFit Games channels as the 2025 Open season continues to inspire athletes at every level.