The 2025 CrossFit Open has officially kicked off with the announcement of Workout 25.1, revealed on February 28, 2025. This sets the stage for the first qualifying phase of the year, attracting fitness enthusiasts from across the globe to participate. The Open is one of the largest sporting events worldwide, drawing tens of thousands of participants.
The format for Workout 25.1 challenges competitors with as many rounds and repetitions as possible within 15 minutes of:
- 3 lateral burpees over the dumbbell
- 3 dumbbell hang clean-to-overheads
- 30-foot walking lunges (2 x 15 feet)
Each round completed will increment the burpees and hang clean-to-overheads by 3 reps, with weight standards of 35 lbs (15 kg) for women and 50 lbs (22.5 kg) for men.
The announcement took place live at CrossFit Mayhem located in Cookeville, Tennessee, featuring elite athletes including Austin Hatfield and Haley Adams, along with two-time CrossFit Games podium finisher Roman Khrennikov. The special guest for the occasion was Rich Froning, widely recognized as one of the greatest CrossFit athletes of all time. During the event, Froning highlighted the essence of the workout: "After completing each round, add 3 reps to the burpees and hang clean-to-overheads."
This year’s announcement was hosted by Rory McKernan, with Chase Ingraham covering the events live as the athletes challenged themselves against the clock. The workout’s structure offers opportunities for both seasoned competitors and newcomers to gauge their individual fitness levels.
Austin Hatfield made his mark with impressive performance, recording 334 reps, placing him at the top of the leaderboard. He showcased outstanding endurance, maintaining his lead throughout the 15 minutes. Following him were Rich Froning and Roman Khrennikov, finishing with 309 and 305 respectively. Haley Adams represented the women, completing the workout with 261 reps, which still placed her among the top finishers.
The deadline for submissions of scores for Workout 25.1 is set for March 3, 2025, at 5 p.m. PT, giving participants ample time to film their performances and submit results. Following this first wave of competition, two more workouts will be revealed weekly. Workout 25.2 is set for announcement on March 6, 2025, and will have submissions due by March 10, with Workout 25.3 following shortly after on March 13, 2025, and closing submissions on March 17.
The 2025 CrossFit Open is structured to engage athletes from all backgrounds, providing the opportunity to assess their fitness levels and embrace the community spirit of competition. Each workout is unveiled with the excitement of elite demonstration, fostering camaraderie among athletes at all skill levels.
This year's Open also welcomes adaptive athletes, ensuring inclusivity within the competitive framework. Hosted by WheelWOD, the Adaptive CrossFit Open runs concurrently, allowing adaptive athletes to compete with modified workouts released each week.
The top 1% of performers from the Open will advance to the upcoming Semifinals scheduled from May 1 to May 4, 2025. These semifinals, held at CrossFit affiliates, provide another stage for athletes pursuing excellence at the CrossFit Games scheduled for August 1-3, 2025. Additional pathways for qualification include international events occurring between April and June, highlighting various ways for athletes to earn their spot at the Games.
Beyond elite competition, the CrossFit season is gearing up for community-driven events aimed at fostering inclusiveness and fun. Notably, the 2025 Community Cup and Pairs Competition are introduced, enhancing participant involvement and enjoyment.
The benefits of competing in the CrossFit Open are extensive. It promotes physical fitness growth across key areas such as strength, endurance, and flexibility. It also creates connections among participants, enriching their experiences with social support.
While the CrossFit Open is inclusive, participants should remain mindful of potential injuries associated with high-intensity functional training. It's imperative to prioritize proper technique, personalized scaling, and sufficient recovery to maintain safety and sustain long-term engagement.
Participate and experience the 2025 CrossFit Open, where personal achievement meets community spirit. Whether striving for the podium or pursuing personal fitness goals, this event encapsulates the essence of CrossFit culture by celebrating resilience, determination, and shared passion.