On February 27, 2025, CrossFit Mayhem in Cookeville, Tennessee, live-announced CrossFit Open Workout 25.1 provided by Rogue, marking the official start of the 2025 CrossFit Games season. 25.1, the first of the CrossFit Open’s three workouts, set the tone for a season full of tough competition, community spirit, and intensity. From novices to pros, athletes from all over the world are now taking on this unusual exercise, starting their path to the CrossFit Games in Albany, New York.
In the fitness community, 25.1 has already generated excitement and discussion because it combined well-known motions and a progressive rep plan. Top athletes Haley Adams, Austin Hatfield, Roman Khrennikov, and an unexpected “special guest” all participated in the session, which was made public during a live webcast presented by former CrossFit Games analyst Rory McKernan and “Get With the Programming” podcast presenter Chase Ingraham.
The news, which was made available on the CrossFit Games website and YouTube channel, attracted thousands of visitors who were excited to witness the workout and compare their level of fitness to that of the experts. The international CrossFit community is ablaze with excitement, strategy debates, and initial responses to this debut challenge, as evidenced by posts on X.
Breaking Down CrossFit Open 25.1
The actual workout is a 15-minute AMRAP (as many rounds and reps as possible) that is intended to assess strength, pace, and endurance.
Workout Structure:
- 3 burpees performed laterally over the dumbbell
- Three clean-to-overhead dumbbells hangs
- Walking lunge for 30 feet (divided into two 15-foot portions)
- After every round, increase the burpees and clean-to-overheads by three repetitions while keeping the lunge constant.
Movement Highlights: The walking lunge tests lower-body endurance, the dumbbell hang clean-to-overheads (usually with a 50-lb dumbbell for men and a 35-lb dumbbell for women in the prescribed version) combine strength and coordination, and the lateral burpees add an intense aerobic aspect.
Strategic Twist: Because of the escalating rep scheme, the workout begins deceptively manageable but quickly increases in intensity, necessitating careful pacing from the athletes to prevent burnout.
A consistent tempo is crucial, according to posts on X, such as one from @BrandonDelgad0: “The beginning will seem easy but the increasing reps will become uncomfortable fast.” As athletes plan how to strike a balance between speed and sustainability within the allotted 15 minutes, this sentiment reverberates across the community. In the meanwhile, the live announcement set a high standard for competitors by showcasing top athletes pushing their boundaries. Austin Hatfield’s breakthrough potential and Haley Adams’ experience were both visible.
Why 25.1 Matters
More than just a set of workouts, the CrossFit Open is a worldwide competition that brings together affiliates, gym partners, and lone athletes for a common fitness test. This year, the new Community Cup, a local tournament that will debut in 2025, will be open to all competitors who finish the Open and submit results for all three sessions. There are chances to qualify through online affiliate events or live premier qualifiers around the world, with 25.1 serving as the first step toward the semifinals for the top 1% of individual athletes.
With score submissions due by 5 p.m. PT on March 3 and the announcement scheduled for noon PT on February 27, competitors have a limited window of time to compete and record their achievements. To encourage last-minute participants to sign up, registration is open until the deadline. “This global competition is where we all get to push our limits, test our fitness, and connect with our gym community,” said @the_og_jonna in a post on X. The physical challenge combined with that sense of community is what makes 25.1 a unique event on the CrossFit calendar.
Accessible yet demanding, community-focused yet fiercely individual, CrossFit Open 25.1 has already established itself as a respectable start for the 2025 season. This workout encourages everyone to go hard and start strong, regardless of whether their goal is to finish or place on the podium. What plan do you have for 25.1? Time is running out—let’s move!