It’s that wonderful time of year again: the Open is upon us! Maybe you’re new to the sport or maybe you’ve been around for a while but never felt “ready” for the Open. Well, this may very well be your year — the year you throw caution to the wind and go for it. What do you have to lose? Nothing!

You probably already know you want to tackle the Open with your all. However, having never experienced it before, some of your expectations might be a little unrealistic. We’re here to clear the air. If this is your first time competing in this amazing worldwide event, here are a few things you should know first.

Remember Your #1 Goal

Expectations? A lot of first-timers go into the Open with the intention of blowing everyone away with an insanely good performance. However, you might soon realize there are WODs a lot of us won’t even finish.

Reality? Understand that your goal for these workouts (aside from having fun) should be to just keep moving. Don’t take major breaks or conversely, try to go 100% the entire time (unless it’s a sprint). Focus on your breath, your pace, and never stop moving.

Taking the work in front of you and pacing yourself to move efficiently is the most effective way to achieve your best score and the first line of defense in tackling the Open like a total pro.

Treat Every WOD Like it’s Your Last

Expectations? You plan to redo every workout at least once to (hopefully) improve your score. In fact, in your mind, you see the opportunity to complete each workout at least four times each week. Once you know what to expect, you can better plan ahead, right? Well, yes. But…

Reality? It’s crucial to do your best the first time you complete the workout. Redoing the workout multiple times may not be a viable option. There are a few factors to consider. For instance, you’re going to be sore. Like, really sore. The mere thought of redoing some workouts for a better score is torture. In some cases, it’ll take a few days of full recovery to be able to tackle them with the same intensity.

Your body will need to be rested and recovered each week to face what Dave Castro has for us. There may be workouts you can repeat, and if you feel well enough, do it! However, don’t go in thinking you will be able to do this for them all. Be confident in what your body can do and do it the first time. Your muscles will thank you for it.

This is About Your Personal Fitness Journey

Expectations? There’s this misconception that just because you scale a workout, it’s somehow less important or holds less validity. After all, you can’t do movements the “right way.”

Reality? As long as the workouts are challenging for you, that’s all that matters. Whether you’re stringing together multiple ring muscle-ups or doing ring rows for sets of three, we’re all at a different place on our fitness journey. Approach each workout with confidence. You are a strong and capable athlete ready to complete the workouts as they come.

Whether you take on the scaled or the RX’d division, trust your body and the training you have done up to this point. Don’t worry about your score or what other people can do. The Open is about you.

Each year, a new group of athletes takes on the Open; and each year, a new group of athletes discovers what they can accomplish. I have never walked out of an Open season without at least one new PR and newfound confidence in myself. A worldwide community rallying for five weeks of intensity and toughness is something not a lot of sports have.

Be thankful we can be a part of it and don’t let unrealistic expectations get in the way of truly doing what the Open was intended for. Let the world see what an amazing athlete you have become and get ready to crush some goals.

Make sure you have all the right gear on you before the excitement begins. Shop for all the Open essentials with TWL.

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