Every year, the CrossFit Open brings athletes from all over the world together in what is the largest fitness competition on the planet. Unlike any other event, it allows anyone to participate, creating a massive dataset of the absolute fittest people on earth, from elite competitors to everyday gym members just starting their journey.
But this year, registration is down by 32% compared to last year. Some see this as a negative sign—but I believe it’s actually a huge win for the future of CrossFit.
What’s Happening with the Open?
One major reason for the decline in sign-ups is a new rule requiring gym owners to have an active CrossFit certificateto register their affiliate for the Open. This means that only gyms run by actively certified coaches can host the event.
That wasn’t the case last year, which meant that some gyms without proper leadership or commitment to CrossFit’s core methodology were still able to sign up. Now, those gyms are out of the picture, and what remains are the ones that are truly dedicated to the CrossFit methodology, training, and community.
Why This Is a Positive Shift for CrossFit
1. The Worst CrossFit Gyms Are Gone
Over the years, some gyms have carried the CrossFit name but failed to uphold the quality, education, and coaching standards that make the methodology so effective. The new requirement ensures that only actively certified gym owners can affiliate and participate in the Open—which means we’re seeing a cleaner, stronger CrossFit community emerge.
2. The Open Is a Community Event, Not a Random Sign-Up List
By filtering out non-active affiliates, the Open now truly reflects the community of people who actually want to be part of it. The Open has always been for anyone—but not for everyone.
That means those who are in it, are in it for the right reasons. Whether they’re competitive athletes or just members challenging themselves, they are participating because they want to be part of the movement, not just because their gym happened to sign up.
3. Stronger Gyms Will Make CrossFit Grow
Some might say that fewer sign-ups mean CrossFit is shrinking. I’d argue the opposite. The best gyms—the ones that invest in their coaching, community, and education—will continue to thrive.
These are the gyms that:
- Run high-quality coaching programs
- Retain long-term members
- Create meaningful community events
- Actually help people improve their fitness and health
When better gyms grow, CrossFit grows in a sustainable way. Fewer bad gyms mean a stronger foundation for long-term growth.
What the Open Represents
The CrossFit Open is more than just a competition—it is the largest dataset of the fittest people on the planet.
- It allows anyone to participate, from elite competitors to first-time athletes.
- It provides different divisions and categories, making it accessible to all skill levels.
- It sets a baseline for progress, giving participants a chance to see how they improve year after year.
And while Escapist CrossFit isn’t focused on creating competitors, we love using the Open to demonstrate how our members improve their health and fitness over time.
Final Thoughts: A Smaller Open, But a Stronger Future
Yes, the Open registration is down. But what’s left is a more committed, higher-quality community of CrossFit athletes and gyms. The best affiliates will continue to thrive, and that will create long-term, sustainable growth for the sport and the methodology.
At Escapist CrossFit, we believe in helping people improve their health and fitness for life—and the Open is just one way we showcase that progress.
What Do You Think?
Do you see the drop in Open registration as a bad thing or as a positive shift for CrossFit? Let me know in the comments!