The 2025 CrossFit Open is Over – What’s Next?
The 2025 CrossFit Games Open has officially come to a close, bringing with it incredible performances from athletes around the world. Over the past three weeks, the community has come together to push their limits, celebrate fitness, and embrace the challenge of competition.
First and foremost, congratulations on completing the Open! Being part of a global competition that tests physical and mental resilience is a remarkable achievement.
Now that the Open is behind you, you may be wondering:
- What should I do next?
- Is my competitive season over?
- How do I get back to structured training?
While the Open may have ended, the season of local competitions, throwdowns, and other events is just beginning. Whether your goal is to improve weaknesses, maintain momentum, or shift your focus to another fitness challenge, here’s how to approach post-Open training effectively.
1. Identify & Work on Weaknesses
The Open likely highlighted areas that need improvement—whether it was strength, endurance, gymnastics skills, or pacing. Now is the perfect time to rebuild your foundation and refine your performance.
- Keep it simple. Instead of trying to improve everything at once, prioritise one or two key areas and dedicate time to them weekly or even daily.
- Refine technique. If certain movements felt inefficient or inconsistent, spend time drilling proper form.
- Build base strength and endurance. This is the best time to focus on foundational work without the pressure of competition.
🔹 Example Focus Areas:
✅ Improving barbell cycling efficiency
✅ Building strength in gymnastics movements
✅ Developing a stronger aerobic base
2. Keep Doing Classes, but Change Your Approach
If you thrive in a class-based environment, continue showing up—but with a new perspective.
- Shift your mindset from competing to refining. Instead of chasing leaderboard scores, use each workout to test and expand your limits.
- Set mini-goals for every WOD. Challenge yourself with unbroken sets, controlled pacing, or minimising transitions.
- Experiment with different strategies. This is the time to find where your ceiling is and push your thresholds in specific areas.
By staying consistent with classes while implementing intentional improvements, you’ll see steady gains without needing a complete overhaul of your training.
3. Rebuild from the Ground Up
For those who want to start fresh and rebuild movement proficiency, post-Open is the ideal time for technique-focused training.
- Technique First: Strength training should prioritise mechanical efficiency over heavy loads.
- Example: A max front squat is meaningless if form breaks down at heavier weights. Identify your threshold max—the heaviest weight you can lift with perfect form—and use that as your benchmark.
- Foundational Conditioning: Build an aerobic base with Zone 2 heart rate training to improve endurance without excessive fatigue.
- Strict Gymnastics Strength: Focus on strict pull-ups, handstand push-ups, and core control before moving back into high-rep kipping movements.
This phase will set the groundwork for more efficient and injury-resistant performance in the long run.
4. Follow a Structured Program
If you’re unsure how to structure post-Open training, following a proven program can help guide you. Many third-party programming platforms offer dedicated post-Open cycles designed to:
- Rebuild strength and skill capacity
- Introduce progressive metcon and conditioning blocks
- Refine movement mechanics and work capacity
📌 Why Follow a Program?
- Takes the guesswork out of training
- Ensures proper progression and recovery
- Helps maintain consistency and long-term progress
Consistency is the key to long-term success—not just intensity or talent. By following a structured plan, you’ll build a strong foundation for future competitions, performance goals, or general fitness.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 CrossFit Open may be over, but your training doesn’t stop here. Whether your focus is on local competitions, building strength, improving conditioning, or simply refining your skills, this is the time to reset, refocus, and plan for what’s next.
No matter where you go from here, the most important thing is to stay consistent and keep challenging yourself.
