Why CrossFit Hits Different in Europe

October 22nd, 2024

Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up.

In today’s edition:

  • With the CrossFit offseason in full swing, much of the attention is focused on European competitions. Learn more about the Euro CrossFit scene from veteran broadcaster Lauren Smith.

  • James Sprague won the CrossFit Games in Fort Worth under unprecedented conditions. Find out how his 2024 season stacked up against all the previous Fittest Men on Earth.

  • Does your gym have unique traditions and celebrations? We asked around social media and got some great answers from the CrossFit community. Check out our list and send us a note about your own.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“European fans will always hit different because we are all so different from one another; it doesn’t matter what sport you are in. There are mixed languages, religions, flags, values, and it all comes together in this wonderful chaotic celebration of sport.” - Lauren Smith on the European CrossFit scene.

COMPETITIONS

Credit: @cfprs / Instagram

European CrossFit Hits Different – An Interview with the UK’s CrossFit Commentator Lauren Smith

The CrossFit offseason is in full swing, and plenty of Semifinal and Games athletes are participating in competitions around the world. 

  • The German Throwdown recently took place on October 5-6, with Games veterans Moritz Fiebig winning the Elite Men’s division and Jacqueline Dahlstrom taking second for the Elite Women. 

That same weekend, Lucy Campbell returned to competition for the first time since wrist surgery, topping the podium at the Marbella Championship in Spain.

In the months ahead, there are countless competitions to keep an eye on. One of the biggest ones takes place in a matter of weeks when the 2024 Rogue Invitational goes down in Aberdeen, Scotland.

The field of elite athletes is robust and ever-growing, as the European CrossFit scene provides many opportunities for athletes to earn a living by competing each year. And as fans and athletes can attest, these European events have a vibe all their own.

SPEED READS

🤓💪The Professional Coach Webinar with Josh Everett: Today at 4 p.m. PT, CrossFit’s The Professional Coach Team will host Josh Everett to discuss sport-specific CrossFit training for high school and college athletes and the impact of a holistic coaching approach. Join the conversation here and subscribe to CrossFit’s new coaching YouTube channel.

  • With experience as a two-sport collegiate athlete, a collegiate coach, a tactical strength coach for the Navy, and a three-time CrossFit Games competitor, Everett is an expert on the topic.

😎🌴 TYR Wodapalooza Miami Qualifier Is On! Check out the details below for the TYR WZA Online Challenge & Qualifier (OCQ), which started last week for individuals (The Team OCQ is Oct. 31-Nov. 6). Get registered here. Week 2 WODs are coming soon!

  • TYR WZA Online Challenge & Qualifier

    • Week 1: Indy - October 17-21, 2024

    • Week 2: Indy - October 24-28, 2024

    • Week 3: Teams - October 31-November 6, 2024

  • TYR WZA OCQ Individual Divisions

    • Elite/Rx | Intermediate/Open

    • Masters 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60+

    • Teens 13-15, 16-18

📚🏋️‍♀️ 2025 USA Functional Fitness Collegiate Championships: The individual online qualifier for the second annual USA Functional Fitness (USAFF) Collegiate Championships is open now and scores can be submitted until October 23. Athletes must be current college or university students and 25 years old or younger as of December 31. Register now.

  • The top 10 Rx athletes (five male and female) will be invited to compete in person at the USAFF Collegiate Hypermedley on February 8-9, 2025, at CrossFit Reston in Reston, VA.

ICYMI: Learn how Rogue Invitational rookie Tayla Howe lost her way, found balance in life, and is now succeeding in her drive for CrossFit greatness.

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

Credit: @emomphoto / Instagram

How Does James Sprague’s 2024 Season Stack Up Against Previous Fittest Men on Earth?

When analysts and fans talked about the 2024 CrossFit Games in the lead-up to Fort Worth, James Sprague wasn’t really in the podium conversation. 

  • Sprague didn’t crack my seven podium contenders or even my four dark horses. At the end of the weekend, however, Sprague walked away as the CrossFit games champion. 

It was a surprise — but that’s why we watch sports in the first place. 

Looking Back

When we look back on the 2024 season, how does James Sprague’s season compare to the rest of the Fittest Men on Earth?

COMMUNITY

Credit: @welcome_to_the_mill / Instagram

“The Fun is in the Community” – Unique CrossFit Gym Traditions

CrossFit founder Greg Glassman once summed up CrossFit in the following sentence: 

  • “The magic is in the movement, the art is in the programming, the science is in the explanation, and the fun is in the community.”

If you were to step into any CrossFit gym anywhere, you would likely always see a few things. 

  • There’s always a “Workout of the Day,” classes are usually an hour long, and the whiteboard is full of seemingly made-up words and acronyms. 

And at least one person is working out shirtless, no matter the weather.

However, despite following the same methodology and principles, every gym is unique in its own way, defined by its location, its own culture, and community. 

  • We took to social media to learn about some traditions or special events that gyms across the affiliate map celebrate, and we got some pretty cool answers. Check them out below.

HIGHLIGHTS

Celebrating a PR, hosting a fundraiser, this, that, or otherwise? Send us a tip.