CrossFit Games - what is it? Everything about the competition.

A bit like the Olympics… with the difference that instead of elegant gymnasts and slim sprinters, you get athletes whose defining traits are versatility and adaptability. CrossFit Games is a competition where fitness, strength and endurance matter - tested on many different levels. The rule is simple: one discipline is not enough. To succeed, you need to be good in many areas.

What is it exactly? What is it about? What do the events and the whole competition look like? Everything worth knowing about the CrossFit Games - you will find here.

What are the CrossFit Games?

CrossFit Games is an annual sports competition that, since 2007, has aimed to determine the holders of the titles: 'The Fittest Man and Woman on Earth'. Initiated by Greg Glassman (founder of CrossFit), it has one simple goal: to thoroughly verify all possible aspects of human physical fitness.

What sets it apart from other competitions is the element of surprise. Very often, competitors learn what events await them literally just before the start itself.

Where can you watch CrossFit competition?

Want to admire people with incredible fitness and strength pushing past one limit after another? No problem! You can follow the CrossFit Games in several ways:

• Official broadcasts on crossfit.com.
• The CrossFit YouTube channel.
• Traditional TV stations such as CBS Sports.
• Official profiles on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter/X (current results and the best moments).

The “cherry on top”, meaning the CrossFit Games final itself usually takes place in August. Depending on the location and the organiser’s plans, the competition can last up to 5 days.

The history - how it has evolved since 2007

The Games have come a long and winding way. Starting from a relatively modest competition on a ranch in Aromas, all the way to becoming a global sports phenomenon. The first edition in 2007 attracted only a handful of competitors, who fought for a symbolic $500 prize. Today? The total prize pool usually reaches several million dollars. 

The real breakthrough came in 2011, when Reebok took an interest in the competition and became its main sponsor. The qualification system has also evolved. At first, it was based on simple online registration. Today, it consists of many stages - from online selection, through regional qualifiers, quarterfinals and semifinals, to the grand final.

How do you qualify? The CrossFit Games qualification system.

Qualification is a journey in which hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world compete against each other. The process looks like this:

1. CrossFit Open – an open competition in which anyone can take part. It involves performing designated exercises in any location.
2. Quarterfinals – individual online competition for the best participants from each continent.
3. Semifinals – live competitions held in different locations around the world, from which the best qualify for the final.

In the end, from the initial hundreds of thousands of participants, only a handful make it to the final - 30 men and 30 women.

Who takes part? Competitor categories.

Participants can compete in 4 main categories:

• Elite Individual (men and women) – the main category, featuring the very best of the CrossFit world. They compete for the title 'The Fittest on Earth'.
• Teams – teams made up of 4 competitors (usually 2 men and 2 women).
• Age Group Masters (35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64 and 65+).
• Teenagers (14-15 and 16-17 years old).

Different categories face a different number of challenges – while Elite Individual can go through as many as 15 events over 4-5 days, Age Group competitors usually face a smaller number of tasks.

Events at the CrossFit Games

Competitors have to be ready for literally anything. After all, it’s CrossFit! During the competition, there is no shortage of classic events involving barbell, dumbbell or kettlebell lifts (in various ways), the use of equipment (ergometers or bikes), as well as movements drawn from calisthenics (pull-ups, rope climbs, etc.).

Organisers like to experiment. That is why more unusual challenges are also common, such as different triathlon variants, mountain runs, carrying sandbags, handstand walking, pegboards and many, many more.

Scoring and competition format. How are the winners determined?

The scoring system in the CrossFit Games is relatively simple. Competitors earn points for each event:

• The winner receives 100 points
• The second competitor gets 95 points
• The third gets 90 points
• The next competitors get progressively fewer

After each event, the points are added up, creating the current ranking. In addition, after several events there is a so-called cut. At that point, people below a certain place in the ranking are eliminated from further competition. The stories of past champions prove that to win, you need to be well-rounded. 

Prizes and sponsorship for the best

Winning the CrossFit Games means prestige above all, the title 'The Fittest on Earth', but also… a huge cash boost. The prize pool has evolved from a modest $500 for the winner in 2007 to millions of dollars today.

The gold medallist in the Elite Individual category can count on as much as around $310,000. But that is only the beginning. Top competitors also become true fitness celebrities. Many of them sign lucrative contracts with brands.

CrossFit Games champions

Among the men, the undisputed king is Mat Fraser – winner of five titles in a row (2016-2020). Before him, Rich Froning reigned supreme – the first true king of CrossFit with four individual titles (2011-2014), who later switched to team competition and won more golds. Among the women, the absolute queen is Tia-Clair Toomey with six titles (2017-2022).

Other legendary names include the sisters from Iceland – Annie Thorisdottir and Katrin Davidsdottir (two titles each), and among current stars – Justin Medeiros and Laura Horvath. After a brief break in Tia-Clair Toomey’s dominance, Laura Horvath became champion in 2023, and in 2024 - Toomey again. Among the men, after Mat Fraser, the titles were won by Justin Medeiros (2021-2022), Jeffrey Adler (2023) and James Sprague (2024).

How do the CrossFit Games differ from regular CrossFit training?

While a “typical” WOD (Workout of the Day) in a local CrossFit box usually lasts up to an hour, competitors taking part in the Games complete from 3 to as many as 5 workouts - every single day. Of course, these are extremes reserved for true professionals.

Classic CrossFit classes are simply healthy challenges, scaled to your ability, designed to give you enjoyment from physical activity. Naturally, you can try doing the same exercises. But do them sensibly - adjusting the load, intensity and frequency to your needs and abilities.

Check out clothing that will make your CrossFit training easier

The SMMASH online store is a real source of proven products trusted by thousands of athletes. You will find shirts, shorts and many other options that provide comfort and freedom during every training session. Whatever type of CrossFit exercise you do (and beyond).