CrossFit Open 26.1 Review: Community Reactions, Pros & Cons, and Our Honest Take

CrossFit Open 26.1

The first workout of the CrossFit Open has landed  and as always, it’s sparked debate across the global affiliate community.

Workout 26.1 delivered high-volume wall balls, box jump-overs and step-overs under a 12-minute time cap. Simple movements. Big engine demand. Minimal technical complexity.

But what does the community really think and where do we stand?

What Is 26.1 Testing?

At its core, 26.1 is a conditioning workout. It tests:

• Aerobic capacity

• Muscular endurance

• Pacing under fatigue

• Movement consistency

There’s no heavy barbell.
No complex gymnastics.
No high-skill separator.

It’s accessible. It’s repeatable. It’s uncomfortable.

Public Reaction: The Pros

Across affiliates and online discussions, several positives stand out.

Accessible to All Levels

Many athletes appreciate that this workout allows more people to participate Rx’d or close to Rx’d. There’s less intimidation factor compared to technical barbell or advanced gymnastics movements.

Clear Pacing Test

Coaches have praised it as a “discipline workout.” Go out too hot and you’ll pay for it. Smart pacing wins here.

Judging Simplicity

For affiliates running Friday Night Lights, simple movements mean:

• Fewer no-rep controversies

• Easier judging standards

• Faster heats

From an operational standpoint, that matters.

Public Reaction: The Cons

However, not everyone is impressed.

Repetitive and Volume-Heavy

The large number of wall balls has drawn criticism. Athletes describe it as:

• Monotonous

• Mentally draining rather than technically challenging

• More of a grind than a test

Limited Skill Separation

Higher-skilled athletes often rely on technical efficiency to create space on the leaderboard. Without complex movements, separation comes primarily from engine capacity narrowing the skill gap.

Feels “Generic”

Some community members have voiced that it feels closer to a conditioning event than a traditional CrossFit test.

Our View at UKSF

We’ll be honest.

We found 26.1 boring and lacking imagination.

Yes — workouts should be accessible.
Yes — the Open should allow broad participation.

But CrossFit has always been about testing multiple domains:

• Strength

• Skill

• Power

• Speed

• Coordination

• Accuracy

• Technical execution

When workouts lean heavily toward simple conditioning pieces, the technical roots of CrossFit start to fade.

This isn’t HYROX.

CrossFit was built on multi-modal, multi-skill challenges where a heavy snatch, complex gymnastics, and engine work could all appear in the same test.

We feel that in recent Opens, there’s been a gradual shift toward “accessible engine tests” rather than true, broad-spectrum CrossFit programming.

If future workouts don’t bring technical elements back into play, athletes who avoid skill development may struggle when competitions return to more traditional CrossFit demands.

Accessibility matters but so does identity.

How to Do Well in 26.1

Regardless of opinion, the workout is here. Execution matters.

Control Your First Set of Wall Balls

Do not sprint the opening 20–30 reps. Break early. Stay smooth. Protect your breathing.

Stay Low on Box Jump-Overs

Efficient rebounding (if capable) or fast, controlled step-downs save time and heart rate spikes.

Breathe With Intention

Wall balls are respiratory overload. Focus on:

• Exhaling at the top

• Staying relaxed through the catch

• Keeping sets consistent

Plan Your Breaks Before You Start

Know your rep targets in advance. For example:

• Sets of 15–20 early

• Smaller controlled sets later

Winging it will cost you.

Minimise Transition Time

This is where seconds are won:

• Stand close to the wall

• Position your box strategically

• Keep chalk and water out of the way

What This Means for the Rest of the Open

If 26.1 sets the tone, we may see:

• Higher engine bias

• Lower technical barriers

• Broader leaderboard compression

But historically, the Open often balances itself out across three workouts. If heavier lifts or complex gymnastics appear in 26.2 or 26.3, the picture could change quickly.

Final Thoughts

26.1 will hurt.
It will separate disciplined athletes from reckless starters.
It will reward pacing over power.

But whether it represents the full spirit of CrossFit is still up for debate.

We believe CrossFit should test multiple abilities, not just conditioning tolerance. The community thrives when workouts challenge both engine and execution.

Now we wait to see whether the remaining workouts bring technical depth back into the equation.