The CrossFit Open: Three Weeks, One Workout, The Whole World
By WE.FIT
If you’ve been around CrossFit for a while, you’ve probably heard people talk about the CrossFit Open. It’s the largest CrossFit competition in the world, and it happens once a year.
For a few weeks, gyms everywhere do the same workouts, and athletes of all levels take part. Some people assume it’s only for the elite, but that’s not how it works at all.
During Open weeks, the energy in the gym shifts. People cheer louder, high-five more, and talk through how they’re going to approach the workout. Even the ones who usually train quietly start getting more involved. There’s something about everyone doing the same workout that brings people together in a way regular training doesn’t.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through how the Open works, from the weekly schedule and workout formats to what it actually feels like at the gym and how to make the most of it.
The 2026 Open Schedule: 3 Weeks, 3 Workouts
This year’s Open kicks off on February 26, 2026, and runs all the way through to March 16. That gives you three weeks, with one workout released each week.
The workouts are labeled 26.1, 26.2, and 26.3, with the numbers simply matching the year and the week. So 26.1 is the first workout of 2026, 26.2 is the second, and 26.3 is the third. Once a workout drops, it becomes the main talking point in gyms around the world for that entire week.
What makes it exciting is that nobody knows the workout ahead of time. It gets revealed, and then everyone around the world does the same one during that week. You find out at the same time as everyone else, and that surprise element is honestly part of what makes the whole thing so fun.
The schedule also keeps things nice and simple. You’re only ever focused on one workout at a time, so there’s no need to prepare for months of different events. One challenge per week, that’s it. It keeps the pressure manageable and lets you put all your energy into what’s right in front of you.
How Each Open Workout Week Plays Out
Each week, the workout is released online. Once it’s announced, gyms start planning their sessions around it. Some host special Open nights with a big crowd and lots of energy, while others work it into their regular class schedule.
When it comes to timing, some members like to do it on Friday when the atmosphere is buzzing, while others prefer a quieter slot later in the week. There’s no right or wrong — it’s whatever works best for you.
On the day you come in, warm up, and then complete the workout following the official standards. Standards are just clear rules that make sure everyone is doing the same thing, no matter where they train. Things like how low you need to squat, or how high your chin has to go on a pull-up.
Judging, Scores, and the Leaderboard
In most gyms, someone will watch your workout and count your reps. They’re also there to make sure each rep meets those standards. It’s just a way of keeping things fair, since people all over the world are doing the same workout. It might feel a little unusual the first time, but you get used to it quickly.
Once you’re done, you submit your score online. That score goes onto a global leaderboard where you can see how you compare in your age group, country, or even worldwide. Some people check it constantly, others barely glance at it, and both approaches are perfectly fine.
You’re also allowed to redo the workout if you want to improve your score, but there’s no pressure to. A lot of people do it once and are happy with how it went. There’s no rule that says you have to chase a better number. Just show up, do your best that week, and that’s more than enough.
Same Workout, Different Levels: Rx, Scaled, Foundations
One of the best parts about the Open is that everyone does the same workout structure. But there are different versions of it. This is what makes it accessible to almost anyone who trains at a CrossFit gym.
Rx is the full version as written. This usually includes heavier weights or harder skills. It is designed for people who are comfortable with advanced movements and loads.
Scaled adjusts the workout to make it more manageable. That could mean lighter weights or simpler movements. Scaled still gives you a tough workout, just in a version that fits your current level.
Foundations is made for beginners. It keeps things simple and focuses on basic movements. It allows newer members to take part without feeling overwhelmed.
If you’re thinking about which one to pick, don’t fall into the trap of choosing a harder version just because it looks better on paper. That’s not how the best athletes think about it.
They pick the version that lets them move well, stay consistent, and actually finish the workout feeling good. Whether that’s Rx, Scaled, or Foundations doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, the best version is the one you can do well and feel good about when it’s done.
Open Weeks at the Gym: What to Expect
Open weeks feel different at the gym.
People stay a little longer. They cheer louder. They count reps for each other. Even members who never talk much suddenly become your biggest supporters. You might find yourself cheering for someone you barely knew the week before.
If it’s your first Open, you might feel nervous. That’s normal. Almost everyone does. Your heart beats a little faster before the countdown starts. But once you begin, it feels like any other workout, just with more support and energy around you. After the first few minutes, you settle into it and focus on the work.
There’s something powerful about knowing thousands of people around the world are doing the same workout that day. It connects your small gym session to something much bigger.
For many members, the Open becomes their favorite time of the year. The shared experience is what makes it memorable, as it brings people closer.
How to Get the Most Out of the Open
Pick the version that fits you best. There is no pressure to prove anything. This is your workout, not anyone else’s.
When it comes to the actual workout, focus on clean reps and try to keep a steady pace. It’s tempting to go all out from the start, but that usually catches up with you fast. A smart, consistent pace will almost always beat a sprint that burns out halfway through.
Between weeks, take care of yourself. Sleep well, eat properly, and give your body time to recover. Three weeks isn’t long, but it’s enough to feel the impact if you’re not looking after the basics.
And most importantly, enjoy it. The Open is a great chance to step back and see how far you’ve come, whether that’s since last year or even just the last few months. Use it as a reminder of how much stronger and fitter you’ve become.
At WE.FIT, the Open is one of our favorite times of the year. Our coaches are there to help you pick the right version, pace your workouts, and make the most of every session. All you have to do is show up each week, give it what you’ve got, and be there for the people around you. That’s what the Open is really about.
