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🌍 CrossFit’s 2026 Open Announcements Are Going Global

October 17th, 2025

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Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up.

In today’s edition:

  • đŸ”„ CrossFit is kicking off the 2026 hype early — all three live Open announcement locations have dropped.

  • 🔍 EC Synkowski decodes the latest diet-study buzz and reminds us: science > clickbait.

  • 👟 Reebok x F45: The training powerhouses launch a global partnership covering footwear, apparel, and more.

QUOTE OF THE DAY
❝

I think I might do one this year [live Open announcement]
20th year.”

Dave Castro on The Sevan Podcast (10/12/25).
CrossFit Games

CrossFit Starts the Hype Early: 2026 Open Announcement Locations Revealed

Credit: CrossFit Games

The 2026 CrossFit Games Open is still over four months away, but some details have already been announced.

In case you missed it: Three weeks ago, CrossFit announced via an Instagram video that 26.3, the final workout of next year’s Open, will be revealed live in Miami during Wodapalooza on March 12.

  • Then, on October 10, CrossFit released a second video where Dave Castro and James Sprague revealed that 26.2 would be announced at the Moffett Air National Guard Base in Sunnyvale, CA.

Most recently, on October 15, we found out that the 26.1 live announcement will be held in a location in Europe.

A MESSAGE FROM GYMREAPERS

Ambition Drives. Balance Sustains.

Pushing too hard without rest doesn’t make you stronger. It breaks you down.

Ambition is the fire that starts the mission. But without restraint, it burns out fast. The real strength lies in knowing when to push—and when to pull back.

Rest isn’t retreat. It’s strategy. It’s what allows you to rebuild, reload, and return sharper.

Because ambition without balance burns bright and dies fast. But balanced ambition? That builds a legacy.

Discover how balance fuels lasting progress—in and out of the gym.

*This newsletter relies on our sponsors. Please consider supporting them.

SPEED READS

📉💡 Redefining Obesity: A new study suggests nearly 70% of U.S. adults would qualify as obese under updated criteria that factor in body fat distribution — up from 43% under BMI alone. The move could shift how doctors, insurers, and fitness pros define “healthy.”

đŸ“±đŸ˜‚ ROXFIT Gets Real: The hybrid fitness app just launched a “Meme Committee” — blending strength, sweat, and humor to build community in a space flooded with AI marketing.

đŸ”„đŸ‹ïžâ€â™€ïž GymBattle360 Launches a League for Gyms: The new startup is turning everyday training into organized sport — with local qualifiers, city finals, and $500K in prizes. Think training meets intramural league, with team events, bragging rights, and built-in member retention. Read more.

đŸŽ€đŸ’Ș The Art of Coaching: In this CrossFit video, CrossFit’s Eric O’Connor and Stephane Rochet break down why great trainers aren’t made by certifications — they’re built on connection. From compliment sandwiches to celebrating micro-wins, this one’s a masterclass in coaching with heart.

ICYMI: đŸ’Ș After a third ACL tear, Rebecka Vitesson is back, tougher, hungrier, and chasing her spot among CrossFit’s elite.

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

Why That “Double Your Weight Loss” Study Isn't What It Seems

Credit: @optimizemenutrition / Instagram

You might have seen the headlines: "You can double your weight loss by ditching this cancer-causing food from your diet" or "Cutting out one food type can nearly double weight loss, new study suggests."

  • Even I initially fell for it; the promise of doubling weight loss sounds incredible. I was thinking of tens of pounds, just from the headlines alone.

But when you look into what the study actually found, the reality is much more nuanced than those eye-catching headlines suggest.

On a recent episode of the Consistency Project podcast, we discussed this study on ultra-processed foods and weight loss, and the real lessons are much more valuable than any clickbait promise.

THINGS TO



DISCOVER

The Architect of HYROX

As the mind behind HYROX’s race format, Mintra Tilly walks through how she built the structure from scratch — from coaching roots to designing a sport that blends endurance, strength, and accessibility. She shares insights on philosophy, growth strategy, and putting female leadership front and center.


CONSIDER

Are You Addicted to Metcons?

Training Think Tank coaches Adam Rogers, Perrin Behr, and Max El-Hag unpack “intensity addiction” — why chasing daily redlines feels great (dopamine hit) but quietly kills consistency, progress, and longevity. They draw the gambling-vs-investing analogy, define true burnout (not just a bad day), and lay out how to fix it.


DO

Take CrossFit’s October Brand Survey

HQ’s asking for your input on the brand’s direction — programming, events, media, and more. It’s quick, anonymous, and helps shape what gets built next for affiliates and athletes alike.

INDUSTRY

Reebok, F45 Training Announce Global Partnership

Credit: Reebok

On Thursday, Reebok and fitness brand F45 announced a new global partnership.

The iconic footwear and apparel brand, famous for its Nano training shoe line, announced in a press release that it will launch a multi-year collaboration with F45. The fitness class typically lasts 45 minutes and combines functional fitness and cardio with circuit training.

  • “As part of the partnership, Reebok becomes F45’s official partner for performance footwear, apparel, and wearables,” Reebok said in a press release.

In 2026, Reebok plans to outfit all F45 coaches in custom-designed uniforms and debut an exclusive co-branded member collection. 

Separately, Reebok introduced a Smart Ring, a wearable device that monitors training, recovery, and lifestyle. This innovation capitalizes on the rapid expansion of the fitness industry and the broader health and wellness sector that has surged in recent years. 

  • F45 launched its first studio in 2013 in Sydney, Australia, and has since grown to over 3,300 studios sold in over 67 countries, according to the F45 website.

HIGHLIGHTS

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