Re: 2015 CrossFit Open, Regionals, and Games Thread
 

I would not characterize the Open as being skewed toward light weight for the general population of CrossFitters. If you are talking about the elite athletes who are at least regional contenders, yes the weights are light. But I'd say if you have to put the bar down on the thrusters for 15.5, that isn't light weight given the number of reps involved. And only the very best athletes can go unbroken.

I'd say 90% or more of athletes' scores on 15.5 will be determined primarily by how well they handle the weight of the thrusters. Only for the very best athletes will rowing times become a big differentiator.
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One thing to consider is CrossFit's published analysis of 15.4. They concluded the "ideal body weight" for an excellent score appears to be about 2.7 pounds of body mass per inch of height for men and 2.2 pounds per inch for women.


Quote: [B]"Then there's this "ridge" of body composition, roughly at 2.7 lb. of body mass per inch of height in males, and at 2.2 lb. per inch in females, that seems to yield the best scores for this workout for a given height."[/B]


That would mean a male who is 5'8" would have an ideal weight in the range of 180-185 lbs. for 15.4. A woman who is 5'4" would have an ideal body weight of just over 140 lbs. And this is on a workout which included lots of HSPU--a gymnastics movement you think would favor lighter athletes.

Given this info, I tend to think the workouts actually favor very strong athletes as opposed to athletes with big engines and lack strength but still might do well on a workout such as burpees only. Someone who is 5'8" and over 180 lbs, with a "fit" body fat percentage, is quite stout. That is definitely not a lightweight and is most likely very strong athlete.

Even most of the gymnastics movements favor very strong athletes. Take a look at how gymnasts look and are built. They are little powerhouses and their strength is outstanding.

Even in the Open, CrossFit as a sport is one which favors very strong athletes as opposed to athletes with big engines but lacking in strength.

Re: 2015 CrossFit Open, Regionals, and Games Thread
 

Tickets for Regionals go on sale March 30th!

I plan on going to watch the South Regionals in Dallas, TX. This is my first time going. Does anyone know what price range tickets have been in the past?

Thanks in advance!

Re: 2015 CrossFit Open, Regionals, and Games Thread
 

[QUOTE=Steven Wingo;1250985]I would not characterize the Open as being skewed toward light weight for the general population of CrossFitters. If you are talking about the elite athletes who are at least regional contenders, yes the weights are light. But I'd say if you have to put the bar down on the thrusters for 15.5, that isn't light weight given the number of reps involved. And only the very best athletes can go unbroken.

I'd say 90% or more of athletes' scores on 15.5 will be determined primarily by how well they handle the weight of the thrusters. Only for the very best athletes will rowing times become a big differentiator.
------

One thing to consider is CrossFit's published analysis of 15.4. They concluded the "ideal body weight" for an excellent score appears to be about 2.7 pounds of body mass per inch of height for men and 2.2 pounds per inch for women.


Quote: [B]"Then there's this "ridge" of body composition, roughly at 2.7 lb. of body mass per inch of height in males, and at 2.2 lb. per inch in females, that seems to yield the best scores for this workout for a given height."[/B]


That would mean a male who is 5'8" would have an ideal weight in the range of 180-185 lbs. for 15.4. A woman who is 5'4" would have an ideal body weight of just over 140 lbs. And this is on a workout which included lots of HSPU--a gymnastics movement you think would favor lighter athletes.

Given this info, I tend to think the workouts actually favor very strong athletes as opposed to athletes with big engines and lack strength but still might do well on a workout such as burpees only. Someone who is 5'8" and over 180 lbs, with a "fit" body fat percentage, is quite stout. That is definitely not a lightweight and is most likely very strong athlete.

Even most of the gymnastics movements favor very strong athletes. Take a look at how gymnasts look and are built. They are little powerhouses and their strength is outstanding.

Even in the Open, CrossFit as a sport is one which favors very strong athletes as opposed to athletes with big engines but lacking in strength.[/QUOTE]

If I'm reading this correctly, you are saying that the make or break points on 15.5 are going to be based on strength? I disagree. Sam won the announcement solely based on her engine, not on her strength or ability to "handle" the weights. I know you specifically said that to the elite athletes, the thrusters are light, but both Annie and Camille have an easier time with that weight than Sam does, because they are both stronger - yet Sam won the workout, handily.

For the 90% you mention, putting the bar down isn't a matter of handling the 95/65. It is the metabolic insanity that thrusters put upon you. It always is. Thrusters at these common weights are always about how long can you endure the suck and heart rate in the throat. It is never about being a bit "too heavy".

A 95lb thruster for any decent male Crossfitter - no where near elite - is light. It is the total reps and damage caused after a row where it happens. The strong but no where even close to Regional level females in my gym can handle 95lb (male weight) thrusters for numerous reps. Any time it creeps beyond 7+ reps, they never mention how "heavy" it is. It simply is because its really hard for them to continue without feeling like they will die. They all Front Squat 175+ and Push Press 150ish and I'm talking about them doing thrusters with mens weights and it isn't a strength issue for them. I find it hard to believe that anyone doing 15.5 not scaled, as a man, is going to have any issues because of their strength.

I can thruster 225 for 3-5 reps. Not comfortably, but strength wise, it isn't all out insane for me. I'll be putting down these 95lb thrusters on the rounds of both 27 and 21, so to me, without a doubt, its engine. And I don't consider myself an overly strong normal, weekend warrior, old guy type of Crossfitter, so 90%? Nah.

Re: 2015 CrossFit Open, Regionals, and Games Thread
 

[QUOTE=Victor Robles;1250994]Tickets for Regionals go on sale March 30th!

I plan on going to watch the South Regionals in Dallas, TX. This is my first time going. Does anyone know what price range tickets have been in the past?

Thanks in advance![/QUOTE]

I went to watch the NW Regionals last year, and the tickets were about $20 for one day.

Re: 2015 CrossFit Open, Regionals, and Games Thread
 

Richard, thanks for your thoughtful post analyzing what's going to get people in 15.5. I'm constantly amazed by how many people don't understand what the primary suck of a workout is going to be, even when they've done Crossfit for years. I guess it helps keep things interesting, though!

Re: 2015 CrossFit Open, Regionals, and Games Thread
 

I agree that strength wasn't nearly a limiting factor for this workout. Strength clearly helps but it comes down to your conditioning. We can all do sets of 10-20 thrusters at 95lbs but can you do them when your heart is beating after the row? The cumulative damage from all the reps is spot on.

Re: 2015 CrossFit Open, Regionals, and Games Thread
 

[QUOTE=Jim Ryan;1251023]We can all do sets of 10-20 thrusters at 95lbs but can you do them when your heart is beating after the row?[/QUOTE]

Nope.... no we all can't =(

Re: 2015 CrossFit Open, Regionals, and Games Thread
 

maybe i am blind but i don't see Camille on the leaderboard anymore... :confused:

Re: 2015 CrossFit Open, Regionals, and Games Thread
 

[QUOTE=Snir Golan;1251040]maybe i am blind but i don't see Camille on the leaderboard anymore... :confused:[/QUOTE]

She, among a ton of other huge names haven't posted 15.5 scores yet. No Lauren Fisher, Rich Froning, Matt Fraser, and a ton of others. Check back tonight or tomorrow.

In fact, if you search for her on the leaderboard, it'll take you down to a group of the big-name females who are in the top 100ish of the open, but haven't posted scores yet. Right there is Camille, Emily Bridgers, Stacie Tovar, Dani Horan, Lauren Fisher, Julie Foucher, etc.

Re: 2015 CrossFit Open, Regionals, and Games Thread
 

[QUOTE=Snir Golan;1251040]maybe i am blind but i don't see Camille on the leaderboard anymore... :confused:[/QUOTE]

She said she was going to do it again if she got pushed out of first. Last time I checked, she was in third, so I imagine she is re-doing it.