With less than twenty days to the launch of the 2017 CrossFit Open, many affiliates, gym owners and athletes have been up in arms around the potential use of dumbells in the CrossFit Open.
Last year, the Open caused some controversy requesting a 25ft Overhead Walking Lunge. With many smaller gyms restricted on space, creative thinking was required to correctly execute the workout. The workouts were often run outside and in very small heats which understandably put a strain on the smaller affiliates or those affiliates with a large amount of members participating in the CrossFit Open.
This year, Dave Castro has given everyone notice with his cryptic clues the dumbells will more than likely be featured. “You have been warned”:
CrossFit Games subsequently confirmed the rumour, with the announcement via their Instagram that dumbells would in fact feature in the 2017 CrossFit Open.
Here is an exert from their post:
Dumbbells will be part of the required equipment for the 2017 Open workouts. See below for the weights needed to accommodate each division.
Rx
50 lb. (22.5 kg)
35 lb. (15 kg)
Other Divisions, including Masters 55+, Teenagers and Scaled
35 lb. (15 kg)20 lb. (10 kg)
10 lb. (5 kg)
Note:
• Kilogram dumbbells cannot be used by athletes competing in the U.S. or Canada.
• If you are using adjustable dumbbells, the largest plates allowed are standard-sized 10 lb. (5 kg) metal change plates (9 in. in diameter).
• When the dumbbell is at rest, the bottom of the handle cannot be more than 4 in. off the ground.
• Any athlete using an unconventional or unmarked dumbbell will need to confirm the weight of the dumbbell on a scale and clearly show the height of the handle with a measuring tape in their video submission.
• Kettlebells, fat bells or other non-traditional dumbbells are not allowed.
The challenge for affiliates, specifically in countries such as Australia and New Zealand that follow the metric system is the measurement of dumbells. The 22.5kg dumbell is not a common measurement of weight in these nations, which likely will force affiliates and athletes to use 25kg.
Sure, the alternative is to find an adjustable dumbell but for many affiliates this is an expense they will not be able to incur for the CrossFit Open.
The good news is that there is still time until the CrossFit Open kicks off, so it’s time to get creative!
