Unraveling the 2022 CrossFit Open Workouts: Comprehensive Analysis of this Year's Challenges
Welcome to the lowdown on the 2022 CrossFit Open! You've probably stumbled upon CrossFit aficionados or heard about this badass event on the telly. Now, you're here for the lowdown on this sweat-drenched, muscle-flexing competition.
Grab a cold one, 'cause we're gonna turn you into a CrossFit know-it-all. Read on for insights from CrossFit bigwigs, a breakdown of the 2022 CrossFit Open workouts, and tips to tackle them like a pro.
What is the CrossFit Open?
CrossFit, defined by non-stop variation, high-intensity, and functional movements, has been around since 2000. Think gymnastics, cardio, and weightlifting, all mashed together. Got ESPN on? You've probably caught a glimpse of the CrossFit Games – the annual event that crowns the Fittest Woman and Man on Earth. The CrossFit Open is the first phase in this grueling gauntlet.
Kristi Aramo O'Connell, a six-time CrossFit Games athlete and co-host of a bangin' YouTube channel, explained it best: "You must complete this stage to be eligible and continue with competing in the season."
The season progresses as follows:1. The Open2. Quarterfinals3. Semifinals4. The CrossFit Games
Believe it or not, the CrossFit Open allows anyone – no matter their fitness level, age, or experience – to compete. As Haley Adams, a six-time CrossFit Games participant and 2021 Fittest American Woman, put it, "It's a way to measure your fitness against others from all around the world."
But don't get it twisted: The Open isn't all about competition. Some athletes train hard to test their improvements from year to year. Others hit up the Open for the social connections, and some just 'cause it's a fun way to test their limits!
The 2022 CrossFit Open
Since the very first CrossFit Open in 2007, the format has evolved dramatically. In 2022, the event took over three action-packed weeks, from February 24 to March 14.
Each week, a workout was released on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. (EST) via a YouTube livestream event, and athletes had until the following Monday, 8:00 p.m. (EST), to submit their scores. They had to execute the workout according to the standards released by CrossFit and either upload a video or have a score validated by a registered judge or affiliate owner.
The workouts
Historically, the CrossFit Open tested athletes' prowess in various time domains via an assortment of gymnastics movements, Olympic lifts, monostructural cardio, and powerlifts. In 2022, though, it was a tad lighter on the variety front.
So, what were the three workouts of 2022's CrossFit Open? Let's dive in!
CrossFit Open Workout 22.1
The festivities began with a mid-length, lower-skill triplet, featuring wall walks, dumbbell snatches, and box jumps. According to Adams, this workout "measures your capacity and how long you're able to hold onto an aggressive pace and keep moving."
CrossFit Open Workout 22.2
Week two pulled out all stops with a deadlift burpee couplet, testing both strength and stamina. With a sneaky rep scheme for a total of 100 reps of each movement, this workout proved to be insanely challenging for most athletes.
CrossFit Open Workout 22.3
Finally, 22.3 brought the heat with an inferno of shoulder and lung burn. As Aramo O'Connell noted, "It tests work capacity, higher skill gymnastics, and the push-pull combo."
Tips for Tackling the Workouts
Now you're pumped to dive into the action, but remember – safety first! Here's how to approach the workouts like a pro:
CrossFit Open Workout 22.1
The goal of this workout is to keep on moving without stopping, so adopt movement variations that allow you to continue to flow seamlessly. If you're nervous about Wall Walks or have mobility issues, consider scaling them. Scale the Dumbbell Snatches if you can't perform them unbroken, and lower the Box Jumps if needed. Set a steady pace from the start, providing a challenge but avoiding burning out too early.
CrossFit Open Workout 22.2
Everyone can handle a Burpee, but the deadlift demands adjustments based on your ability. Opt for a weight that tests your limits, but is still manageable. Scale down the weight if you aren't able to perform 7-10 touch-and-go reps in multiple sets. Now, ready, set, crush those deadlifts and Burpees! Remember – small sets are better than distressing collapse!
CrossFit Open Workout 22.3
This triple threat is the most challenging workout of the lot. If you haven't mastered Pull-ups, Chest-to-Bar Pull-ups, or Muscle-ups, consider bypassing 22.3 or learning the moves in a lower-intensity setting first. If you're up for the challenge, break the reps up from the start to save your shoulders!
Take the Plunge, CrossFit Newb or Expert Alike!
Even though the 2022 CrossFit Open season has concluded, the workouts remain as terrific tests of fitness. Whether you're a diehard CrossFitter or a fresh face, give these workouts a whirl. Trust us – they're more difficult and more exhilarating than they seem!
Happy training, and here's to reaching new fitness heights!
Gabrielle Kassel (she/her) is a queer sex ed guru and fearless journalist on a mission to help you feel amazing in your bod. Her work has graced the pages of Shape, Cosmopolitan, Self, and many more. When she's not reviewing pleasure products or coaching CrossFit, she's recording episodes of her podcast, Bad in Bed. Follow her on IG at @Gabriellekassel.
- In 2022, the CrossFit Open emphasized weight management and fitness with workouts that tested an athlete's capacity, strength, and stamina over three action-packed weeks, from February 24 to March 14.
- For the 2022 CrossFit Open, CrossFit aficionados had to execute the workouts according to the standards released by CrossFit and submit their scores by the specified deadlines, with a video or a score validated by a registered judge or affiliate owner.
- Kristi Aramo O'Connell, a six-time CrossFit Games athlete, highlighted that the 2022 CrossFit Open workouts aimed to test work capacity, high-skilled gymnastics, and push-pull combinations.
