The CrossFit Open and Quarterfinals can be a stressful time for many, especially for those looking to qualify for the next level of competition.
I remember. I was there once. Or five times.
I competed at the Regionals five times back in the day and in the 2014 CrossFit Games as an individual, and I was admittedly anxious each year during the Open.
Being well on the other side now, I feel I have to apologize to my coach for my high-maintenance tendencies.
Credit: Jacob Lund / Shutterstock
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I apologize for the after-hours texts asking when you were going to validate my score and for asking you to come to the gym on Sunday so I could redo the workout and get one extra rep. And I apologize for talking your ear off as I was debriefing after the workout when you had another client waiting for her one-on-one session.
I apologize.
What I, of course, didn’t realize as an athlete was just what my coach — and many coaches and gym owners — also go through during the Open and Quarterfinals each year.
Not only do they volunteer countless hours — hosting Open Prep sessions and Friday Night Lights, putting out additional recovery programming, taping the floors and prepping the gym, printing out scoresheets, navigating the logistics of each workout, and then throwing a kick-ass Open after party (the list goes on) — they’re also left managing their members’ range of emotions for three weeks.
By the end of the Open, coaches and gym owners are exhausted. Probably more exhausted than the athletes themselves. So as an athlete, the least you can do is be a low-maintenance Open Athlete this year.
Don’t read this list as a set of requirements. Instead, take it as a list of things to consider, reflect on, and maybe put into action.
Read Everything!
If your gym owner sends out a newsletter (or other form of communication) with the subject line “All You Need to Know About the Open at CrossFit ABC,” read it! Check out some tips and strategies for the workout. (We’ll have insights from coaches Caroline Lambray, Michele Letendre, and Justin Cotler for the 2024 CrossFit Open, by the way.)
Credit: Starstuff / Shutterstock
[Related: The Open Report: Week 5 — Qualifying for Quarterfinals]
And chances are, the text message you and 12 other athletes are about to send your coach asking how to sign up for a heat time each week is detailed in that newsletter. This will go a long way in helping your owner avoid repeating the nuts and bolts of the gym’s Open plans.
The bottom line: Be aware of your gym’s Open procedures and rules. And consider where you might be able to find the answer to that question on your own before texting your gym owner or coach with an Open-related question.
Ask Yourself: “Do I Really Need To Redo for a Third Time?”
Ok, so if you have dug deep and the answer is an emphatic yes, and you need to redo the workout for those two extra reps, then at least be mindful of the rules. If your gym owner and coaches have noted that they aren’t going to be able to come in on Sundays to judge participants for a second or third time, then you’re probably not an exception to this rule.
And if your coaches are cool with redos and are going out of their way to judge you after hours, maybe just bring them a bottle of wine (or a 12-year bottle of Macallan.)
Take a Deep Breath: Your Score Will Be Validated
I remember having low-grade anxiety until my score had been validated, and I could tangibly see it on the leaderboard. But you know what — it always got validated (just maybe not as quickly as I wanted it to).
[Related: The Guide to CrossFit Gym Etiquette: It’s More Than Just Lifting]
It can be tempting to send the “I submitted my score, but it hasn’t been validated yet” text to your gym owner, but if everyone sent this text…
What? I Have To Pay $25 for Friday Night Lights!?
If that’s your reaction to paying $25, or even $40, for Friday Night Lights, consider this: All of the revenue raised is probably going directly to paying for paper and floor tape, maybe some drinks and snacks for after. Enough said.
Now Probably Isn’t the Time To Learn How To Do a Muscle-up
Asking your coach to meet you Friday morning for 30 minutes to give you some last-minute tips probably isn’t going to help you become proficient at muscle-ups before the workout. But it will stress out your coach, who is trying to manage many athletes.
Don’t Be “That Guy” (or Girl)
“That guy”: The one who asks a coach if they can judge them during group class time.
The guy who forfeits the group warm-up because he saw a 24.1 warm-up on Instagram that he thinks will better prepare him for thrusters and burpees.
Credit: Kjetil Kolbjornsrud / Shutterstock
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The guy who tries to get into a different heat at the last minute because he’s not ready to go yet.
Just don’t be that guy.
Be “That Girl” (or Guy)
“That girl”: The girl who volunteers to help out in any way they can, including by taking the judges course and volunteering to judge throughout the Open, by helping set up or clean up, etc.
Be Nice to Your Judge
There’s nothing like a no-rep to add stress to an already stressful time in your life. We get it. But try not to take it out on your judge. Keep calm, ask for clarification about why you’re getting no-repped, and carry on.
Did You Know: The Way to a Gym Owner’s Heart Is Through Their Belly?
If you really want to be loved, make your gym owner a meal one night (or bring them a burrito bowl) during the Open to show your appreciation. Remember, they’ve likely been at the gym all day and will appreciate not having to think about meal prep.
Or better yet, why not set up a meal train for them throughout the Open so they can focus on hosting the best Friday Night Lights for your community?
…Just an idea.
Featured image: CrossFit Helvetix
The post 9 Tips To Be a Low-Maintenance Crossfit Open Participant This Year appeared first on BarBend.
