The 2014 Open is around the corner! What will CrossFit Open Workout 14.1 be?

Since 2011, the CrossFit Open has provided an opportunity for everyone – no matter age, location, or fitness level – to compete for the chance to advance to Regional competitions and ultimately, the CrossFit Games. This year 48 men, 48 women and 30 teams will qualify for their respective Regional competitions by taking part in the five Open workouts. Thursday, February 27th (USA PACIFIC TIME) marks the first day of the CrossFit Open, and it’s a date many have been anxiously awaiting. It’s when CrossFit HQ will announce the first workout of the year: 14.1.

Past trends can help predict future results.

What does the Open have in store this year? There are a few trends that surface when looking at past Open workouts that allow us to make predictions about this year’s workout.

• An open workout will need to test fitness – that is, increased work capacity across broad time and modal domains.
• Workouts generally consist of frequently used movements like:

• Since nearly 200,000 are expected to compete in the 2014 Open, the movements selected will need to be achievable by wide variety of individuals. This means that more complex and advanced movements, such as chest-to-bar pull ups, muscle-ups, and double-unders will probably not be tested.

• The workout will last approximately 10 minutes. In 2013 and 2012 the majority of the AMRAPs were 7 to 15 minutes in length.

• Burpees are commonly used in Open workouts, and for the past two years the first workout of the Open has incorporated burpees. This could mean one of two things – either CrossFit HQ will stay true to form and incorporate burpees, or they will surprise us by mixing it up. Other commonly used movements include box jumps, wall balls, snatches, and thrusters.

• Open workouts typically group two or three exercises together. In the past combinations of lifts and gymnastic movements have been common, such as thrusters and pull ups or deadlifts and box jumps.

So what predictions do we make for 14.1 here at The WOD Life?

Our best guess is that 14.1 will be a 7 to 10 minute AMRAP of two basic and common exercises such as wall balls and box jumps.

Prepare for the unknown and the unknowable.

It’s not certain what challenges are in store for 2014 Open competitors, but it is certain that the Open this year will be more exciting than any other. With nearly 200,000 competitors from thousands of affiliates spanning 17 regions, the Open will no doubt embody the spirit of CrossFit by bringing together a broad, inclusive community dedicated to excellence in all endeavours.

Stay tuned for more Open updates, and good luck!