We were expecting a repeat workout, and Open Workout 25.2 delivered. Officially unveiled to eager athletes worldwide, this highly anticipated workout revisited the demanding elements of the 2022 Open’s 22.3. Competitors tackled an intense sequence of gymnastics and weightlifting movements, including pull-ups, double-unders, thrusters, chest-to-bar pull-ups, and bar muscle-ups. The workout’s design reinforced CrossFit’s commitment to testing both foundational and advanced movement patterns while embracing the sport’s core principle of constant variation.
Workout Details:
For time:
- 21 pull-ups
- 42 double-unders
- 21 thrusters
- 18 chest-to-bar pull-ups
- 36 double-unders
- 18 thrusters
- 15 bar muscle-ups
- 30 double-unders
- 15 thrusters
Weights:
- Women: 65, 75, 85 lbs (29, 34, 38 kg)
- Men: 95, 115, 135 lbs (43, 52, 61 kg)
Time Cap: 12 minutes
The announcement event was hosted at CrossFit Incendia in Peoria, Arizona, featuring an exhilarating head-to-head battle between veteran competitor Emily Rolfe and emerging talent Sydney Wells. Both athletes showcased their exceptional abilities, establishing impressive benchmarks for the global CrossFit community. The electric atmosphere at Incendia perfectly captured the essence of the CrossFit Open, where athletes of all levels come together to test their fitness against standardized benchmarks.
In the weeks leading up to workout 25.2, the CrossFit community was alive with speculation and preparation. Athletes focused their training on potential movements, with particular emphasis on gymnastics elements. The anticipated return of technical movements like toes-to-bar, chest-to-bar pull-ups, and muscle-ups had many athletes fine-tuning their skills and building specific strength. The barbell’s expected presence prompted athletes to practice various Olympic lifting movements, including power snatches, overhead squats, and deadlifts. Additionally, the cardiovascular components remained a crucial focus, with athletes incorporating rowing, running, and double-under practice into their preparation routines.
Early Community Predictions
- Ascending Ladders: The community widely discussed the possibility of ascending rep schemes, which would require athletes to carefully manage their energy output while facing increasingly challenging rounds. These predictions sparked conversations about pacing strategies and work capacity development.
- AMRAPs: Many CrossFit enthusiasts anticipated a 12 or 15-minute AMRAP format, recognizing its effectiveness in testing both physical endurance and mental fortitude. This format would require athletes to maintain consistent effort while managing fatigue throughout the prescribed time domain.
- Repeat Workouts: Speculation about potential workout repeats from previous Opens, such as 20.2 or 21.2, generated significant discussion. Athletes dove into their training logs, analyzing past performances and identifying areas for improvement. This retrospective approach highlighted the CrossFit community’s commitment to measurable, observable, and repeatable results.
The live announcement of Open Workout 25.2 was streamed globally on March 6, 2025, at 12 p.m. PT from CrossFit Incendia. The event featured an inspiring matchup between Emily Rolfe, who had demonstrated her elite capabilities with a third-place finish at the 2024 CrossFit Games, and Sydney Wells, whose impressive Games debut in 2023 marked her as a rising force in the sport. Their head-to-head competition provided valuable insights into movement strategies, pacing approaches, and effective workout execution for athletes worldwide.
The announcement of 25.2 workout generated immediate excitement and strategic discussions within the CrossFit community. Athletes began analyzing the movement combinations, weight selections, and time domain to develop optimal approaches for their abilities. The inclusion of both fundamental and advanced movements ensured that the workout would challenge athletes across all skill levels, maintaining the inclusive nature of the CrossFit Open.
Final Words
While the specific elements of 25.2 were initially unknown, the community’s preparation emphasized the importance of well-rounded fitness. Athletes focused on developing proficiency across multiple domains, including gymnastics, weightlifting, and cardiovascular endurance. This comprehensive approach to training reflected CrossFit’s core philosophy of preparing athletes for any physical challenge they might face.
The workout’s design demonstrated the evolution of CrossFit programming, incorporating elements that tested both basic movement patterns and advanced skills. This strategic combination ensured that 25.2 would provide appropriate challenges for beginners while offering elite athletes the opportunity to showcase their capabilities at the highest level.