The CrossFit Open always has a few surprises, but we can accurately predict the majority of what will come up. Knowing this, should we train specifically for it?
It all depends on your goals. If your goal is to do your absolute best in The CrossFit Open, then yes, you should train specifically for it. ‘But wait!’ you cry, ‘Isn’t CrossFit about the unknown and the unknowable!?’. Yes it is, but in The Open, it’s a bit more known, and a bit more knowable.
You see, a lot of people claim that you should keep ‘just doing CrossFit’ to prepare for The CrossFit Open, and not train specifically. To me (if you want to maximise your Open performance) this doesn’t make sense.
Imagine you’re studying for an exam. Before the exam, the teacher gives you the questions. Now, do you continue to study EVERYTHING you’ve covered that year, or do you study and prepare specifically for the tested material? Casto has given us insight into the tested material. This insight comes from empirical evidence – previous Open Workouts. We can make accurate guesses into time domains, movements, loads and structures.
If you want to maximise your Open performance, you better get good at the tested material.
The ‘exam’ analogy is a good one, because The Open is just that, a test. It’s a test of your training methodologies. Of your commitment and your effort. If The Open means nothing to you, and you’d be equally happy with placing 100,000th as you would be placing 200,000th, then sure, ignore the study material. But I can’t think of many people who wouldn’t choose a higher placing if they had the ability to control it.
This doesn’t mean you training completely changes. Maybe it does, if The Open means everything to you. But more likely, you make a few small adjustments or additions to develop the skills you know will be tested.
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