The CrossFit Games kicks off tomorrow, Wednesday 1 August. The first day's individual events look an absolute killer.
Taking place at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin, CrossFit's elite will compete for the crowning glory in a series of brutal full-day schedules, finishing on Sunday, 5 August.
CrossFit have a tendency to delay announcement of the full schedule until very close to the opening day. This has definitely created a suspense that seems completely justified when you look at the opening day's events.
A four-part day of full-body beasting beckons, taxing all aspects of physical prowess.
Here's what the schedule looks like:
CRIT
This is the name given to the first individual event of the CrossFit Games - a cycling session that will really make you wince.
Competitors will be tasked with:
- Completing a 10-lap bike race around the 1,200 metre course
- They'll have to finish it as quickly as possible, and within 30 minutes.
CrossFit head honcho Dave Costro released an image of the bike all athletes will be using.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk7mJxwlRx_/?hl=en&taken-by=thedavecastro
Muscle-ups
All athletes will have to complete 30 muscle-ups in under five minutes. Each of them will work off a single set of gymnastic rings.
A muscle-up is the ultimate bodyweight exercise, essentially comprising a pull-up and dip into one exercise. Once you've pulled your bodyweight up to the rings, you must use the strength in your chest, shoulders, triceps and core to press yourself above the rings.
CrossFit Total
Athletes will have to hit their 1RM (one rep max) on three staple lifts:
- Back squat
- Shoulder press
- Deadlift
They will have a four-minute window for each lift, in which they are allowed three attempts. Total score will be taken as a combination of their best squat, press and deadlift.
For example, if your max squat hit 200kg, press 100kg and deadlift 250kg, your total would be taken in pounds as around 1,213 lbs.
These lifts must be performed with minimal access to supportive equipment. You won't find any safety pads here.
Marathon Row
Competitors will be feeling it by this stage - to say the least. The hard work does not end there, though.
Each athlete will have to row 42,195 metres - the equivalent to all 26 miles of a traditional marathon. It will be performed on a Concept 2 rowing machine, and must be completed in under four hours.
We're sweating just thinking about it.
