Memories of CrossFit Open Pasts

A lot can change in a year. And a lot has. It seems like this CrossFit Open— although shorter in duration and under different circumstances— is helping many of us feel some sense of normalcy as we return to our gyms and try to continue with our lives. It was a difficult year for many gyms, as they had to close their doors and scramble to program for people at home with little equipment and work in a different format that they’re used to.

It’s nice to see that many gyms made it, as it’s obvious from the number of people on the Leaderboards.

Move Towards Something, Always

Over the years, I have spent some time recording and photographing athletes as they tackle these brutal workouts. One of the things that I love the most about doing this is the ability to capture an athlete reaching into the depths of themselves for a moment. The ‘push yourself’ cliché becomes all too real when you see someone on the verge of utter exhaustion or frustration take command of their neurons and contradict their body’s desire to stop.

CrossFit is about intensity but also about having fun

So why not revisit some CrossFit Open moments from a few years ago? I personally find most music played during workouts so horrible that I usually tune it out. Unless you have a musically-inclined coach, you may be listening to explicit hip-hop songs that you wouldn’t want your kids anywhere near or Ariana Grande’s disturbingly suggestive lyrics. Promotional videos and content for CF also tends to have a heavy beat, a lot of reverb, distortion, bass, etc. This whole series was about putting a different twist on it. And some guy named DJ Quads made it happen. Working somewhere across the pond, this talented guy took old songs and mixed them in a strange and innovative way. I found his music and thought it was the perfect fit.

After all, you don’t want to take yourself too seriously. Because all of this is also about having fun.