In short, the CrossFit Open is the first of two qualifiers for the CrossFit Games. Those who make the cut in the Open move on to Regionals, and then potentially the CrossFit Games. Ok, so now that that is out of the way, let’s talk about what it means to us. The CrossFit Open is five workouts that serve as a benchmark of how our previous years fitness changed and it serves as a measure of how our next years fitness will continue to change.
Think of it as a benchmark workout, except it’s 5 of them, served up 1 per week, for 5 weeks straight. It challenges us to perform things we may have never done, and to learn what we need to improve upon. It pushes us way out of our comfort zone physically, mentally and maybe even emotionally, but does so while placing us in an immensely supportive environment amongst friends and fellow athletes. We’ve had athletes of all age groups, experience levels, and motivations join us and not one has asked for their money back. It’s $20.
Now, for the details; The CrossFit Open begins Thursday, February 22nd when they will announce the first 2018 CrossFit Open WOD to the world. It will be the WOD all day on Friday, the 23rd, at Roots in regular group class but the real fun begins at 4pm with the Friday Night Lights (FNL). At 4pm the lights go down, Iron Dave gets on the mic and we throw down on whatever Dave Castro (CrossFit co-director of training) has thrown at us that week. Think of it as the Cool Cruel Summer series with judges and on a global level. That’s right, we’ll need certified judges and we rely on you all. (Keep your eyes posted on the blog for an upcoming Open Judges post.)
You will start by registering for the CrossFit Open, but registration doesn’t open until January 11th so we’ll remind you. Then, for 5 Fridays (2/23-3/23) you’ll sign-up for a heat through MBO, just like you sign-up for class now. If you take a group WOD during the day you will be doing the CF Open WOD for that week but in a less kickass environment, which does not automatically preclude you from attending the FNL event that evening as a fan, which we highly encourage. When you come in for the FNL event there will be a sign-in at the front desk, a warm-up Coach on the floor, and we’ll get you warm and ready to go when your heat starts. Don’t worry, everyone else will be nervous too! And yes, as always, there will be scaling. Each week will have an official sponsor supplying swag for raffles and food will be available for purchase.

We expect questions, so please come to any Coach with any concerns you have about joining us! In the meantime, we’ll share athlete’s stories who have done it in the past and their thoughts about it. Have you participated in the CrossFit Open? Please share your experience in comments!
Friday Night Lights at Roots:
18.1- Feb. 23
18.2- March 2
18.3- March 9
18.4- March 16
18.5- March 23