CrossFit Names Head of Safety

April 25th, 2025

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Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up.

In today’s edition:

  • After the 2024 Games fallout, CrossFit hires “athlete-first” safety leader.

  • Skill Progression 101: Bar vs. ring muscle-ups, explained.

  • Velites expands reach, joins WFP as jump rope, grip, and wristband partner.

QUOTE OF THE DAY
❝

I’m excited to join the team and further advance an athlete-first approach to safety – one that listens, adapts, and puts the well-being of our athletes at the center of everything we do.”

Wendy Guthrie on her new role as Head of Safety for CrossFit
INDUSTRY

CrossFit Names Wendy Guthrie Head of Safety in Wake of 2024 Games Tragedy

Credit: Joe Genetin-Pilawa  

CrossFit announced yesterday that they have appointed Wendy Guthrie as the Head of Safety for this summer’s CrossFit Games in Albany, NY.

  • “Wendy brings an ideal blend of safety expertise and CrossFit knowledge, having led athlete safety efforts at the very highest level in sport while also being a longtime dedicated member of the CrossFit community,” said CrossFit CEO Don Faul in a press release.

As Head of Safety, Guthrie, “will be responsible for advancing CrossFit Sport safety practices, leading real-time safety response operations during competitive events, and continuously refining CrossFit’s approach to athlete protection,” the press release stated.

  • Further, Guthrie will “liaise with the CrossFit Safety Advisory Board to research and elevate safety standards and foster a culture of accountability and care across the sport.”

The big picture: The Head of Safety role is a new one that CrossFit introduced this season in the aftermath of Lazar Đukić’s tragic death at the 2024 CrossFit Games, which led many in the community, including the Professional Fitness Athletes’ Association (PFAA), to call for accountability and a commitment to prioritize athlete safety. 

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SPEED READS

🥩🥦 Eat Like the Second Fittest Man: Curious about what an elite CrossFit athlete eats in a day? Follow Dallin Pepper, the second fittest in 2024, as he shares a full day of eating while training for the CrossFit season. Watch now. 

🎥 📺 Jayson Hopper UNSCRIPTED: Brute Strength has launched a new YouTube series that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the athletes in its camp. Check out the new drop featuring Jayson Hopper.

📋✍️ Join the BarBend Forum: The BarBend Forum is live now. Join the conversation about all things CrossFit and training.

ICYMI: Run course rules spark fairness concerns ahead of Team Semis.

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

Muscle-Up Matchup: Bar vs. Ring – Which Should You Learn First?

Credit: @b.a.w_media / Instagram

Ring or bar muscle-ups: Which is harder and more useful? You may be confused about which one to focus on in your training.

Here are some key data points and thoughts about each to help you make an informed decision about your next gymnastics goal.

  • Over the past decade, we have seen bar muscle-ups gain popularity compared to ring muscle-ups. 

The CrossFit Open doesn’t necessarily favor one over the other, but it's worth noting that bar muscle-ups didn't appear until 2016, five years after the first Open in 2011. Ring muscle-ups have been part of the Open since its inception, starting with Open Workout 11.4, the very first year.

So, which skill should you focus on learning first, and why?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but let’s compare these skills side by side to understand the risks versus rewards of each.

THINGS TO…

…KNOW

Who Qualified for the 2025 Masters and Teen Games

Check out this list of top teenagers and masters who have earned tickets to the Age-Group CrossFit Games, by Legends and PIT Prodigies.

…LEARN

What Pre-Workout Actually Does

Curious about trying pre-workout? Or, wondering what it’s doing to your body when you get the tingles and it feels like you can hear colors? Coach Fritz Nugent breaks it down in this post from Invictus Fitness.

…ENTER

The Rogue Fitness Bandit Challenge

Here’s a fun test: in a 12-hour window, find your fastest one mile run time, your one-rep max front squat, and your max reps set of pull-ups. If you think you’re up for it, register now (before 4/28), and give it a go.

INDUSTRY

Velites Doubles Down – New Gear Partner of the World Fitness Project

Credit: @worldfitnessproject / Instagram

The World Fitness Project announced on Tuesday that Velites is the Official Jump Rope, Hand Grips, and Wristbands for the 2025 WFP season. 

  • “Velites has been known for innovation in the functional fitness space, in multiple domains. Their team is made up of an incredible group of hard-working individuals, and we’re proud to collaborate alongside them to carry out a meaningful partnership,” said the WFP’s Director of Business Development, Ryan Husband. 

So far, the only other partners announced include pliability, the Official Mobility Partner of the WFP, and Concept2, the Official Ergometer Machine Provider of the WFP.

The WFP’s announcement comes just a week after CrossFit announced that Velites has become the Official Apparel and Footwear partner for the 2025 CrossFit Games season.

HIGHLIGHTS

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