Behind the Scenes: Association of Fitness Judges Holds First-Ever Seminar

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Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up.

In today’s edition:

• The Association of Fitness Judges held its first-ever seminar at TYR WZA in Miami, and we got a behind-the-scenes look.

• “Tried and true beats shiny and new,” especially when it comes to the science behind slowing down aging. EC Synkowski has more below.

• In response to some of the recent announcements surrounding de-affiliations and Open registration trends, Athena Perez explains why she and Scaled Nation are sticking with CrossFit.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Scaled Nation CrossFit chooses to stay an affiliate because I believe in our mission. CrossFit is something I do and cherish — but it’s not who I am. And for me, that has always been enough.” - Athena Perez, founder of Scaled Nation CrossFit.

COMPETITIONS

Association of Fitness Judges Holds First-Ever Seminar in 2025

“You guys have the hardest job out there” — Khan Porter

The Association of Fitness Judges (AFJ) held its first Seminar in Miami Beach, FL, just before TYR Wodapalooza Miami 2025.

The AFJ was founded just before the 2024 CrossFit season began, and its mission is to promote the professional development and advancement of officials (i.e., “judges”) in the sport of functional fitness.

According to its website, the AFJ splits its approach into three goals: 

• Judges Directory: Develop a vetted database of judges, noting the prior judging experience in an effort to help connect judges to competitions, training camps, and individual athletes for in-person and remote competitions moving into the 2025 season and beyond.

• Competition: Develop a method of giving feedback to judges and a mentorship system to enable judges to improve their craft, allowing them to be more effective in benefiting both the athlete and the competition as a whole. The AFJ looks to aid in staffing competitions of all sizes who would like assistance in recruiting experienced judges for their competitions.

• Education: Develop a series of documents, videos, and seminars such as:

  • What to Expect at a Competition – seeing athletes performing movements at competition speed and from non-ideal angles, staging, scorecard etiquette, athlete relations etiquette, and hand signals.

  • Online Video Judging – how to set your athlete up for a successful virtual competition.

With these three goals in mind, the AFJ brought together leaders along with top-level Games athletes for a day-long seminar for novice and immediate-level judges looking to improve their skills.

• I got to sit in to learn more about the organization, its goals, and how it seeks to accomplish them this season.

A MESSAGE FROM ELEMENT 26

Are Your Grips Ready for the CrossFit Open?

The 2025 CrossFit Open kicks off this Thursday, and there's one thing you can count on: being on the pull-up bar.

When every rep counts, get the grips that keep you on the bar longer, stop blisters and tears, and reduce grip fatigue.

And here's one big thing: Element 26 is so confident you’ll love these grips that they're offering a 30-day free trial. Plus, if you don’t love them, return them for a full refund within 30 days of delivery.

Order now on Amazon. Have them by Thursday.

SPEED READS

🚨🚨 The CrossFit Open Is Coming: The 2025 CrossFit Open will take place from February 27 to March 17, so sign up now!

• Velites, the new “Official Grip and Jump Rope of the CrossFit Games,” is giving away free limited-edition wristbands to all Open registrants and Games spectators for the next three years! Learn more here.

🌎 🎟️ 2025 Qualifying Event Updates: Here are a few quick updates from some of the 2025 CrossFit Games Qualifying Events. 

• Northern California Classic: The first round of invitations for the final In-Person Qualifying Event of the season has been sent. The deadline to accept is February 27, and backfills will begin the following day.

• Torian Pro: The past Torian Pro champions have earned direct qualification to Oceania’s only In-Person Qualifying Event this season. See the list here.

• Mayhem Classic: Check out the official roster for the invitational, the first In-Person Qualifying Event of the season here.

ICYMI: On the heels of several athletes announcing they would sit out of the CrossFit Games season, four-time elite CrossFit Games athlete Emma Lawson revealed that due to a nagging back injury, she too would sit the Open out in favor of preparing her body for the World Fitness Tour.

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

The Surprising Science of Slowing Down Aging

Even the best of us find ourselves tempted by promises of a magic pill or powder that will turn back the clock and keep us young.

But what if I told you the most potent anti-aging tool is already right at your fingertips – and it doesn't cost a dime more than you’re already spending on your health?

It's not the latest trendy superfruit or cutting-edge supplement. 

It's good old-fashioned exercise.

• I reviewed the science for a recent episode of the Consistency Project podcast, and it’s clear that consistent physical activity is one of the most effective ways to maintain health and vitality as we age.

I have great news for those of you who already go to the gym regularly – you're ahead of the curve in the anti-aging game.

COMMUNITY

Why We’re Sticking with CrossFit: Scaled Nation

In June 2018, I sat in CrossFit HQ’s offices, about to record an episode of the CrossFit Podcast. 

I had no idea who was interviewing me, no clue who owned the company, and no recognition of names that, to some in the community, were legends. 

Rory (McKernan)? Adrian (Bozman)? Greg (Glassman)? Dave (Castro)? No idea. 

• When Sevan Matossian asked if I knew who “Patrick Vellner” was, I answered honestly: “Who’s that?”

That wasn’t a jab at Vellner — it was just my reality and the reality for many others. I had very little exposure to the CrossFit world outside of my gym. 

• The Games never shaped my CrossFit experience, and they never will. I was focused on showing up, learning, and getting healthier every day.

The Games didn’t pull me in — the people did. 

Regular folks showing up, working hard, and striving for healthier, longer lives. I’d heard of the Games and CrossFit HQ with its larger-than-life figures, but I never watched, never followed. 

And would it have made any difference in my journey? Not one bit.

• I’ve been to the Games a few times, mainly to see friends or speak on a panel, but I never stayed long. Don’t get me wrong — it was exciting, impressive, an incredible spectacle. I just wasn’t a die-hard fan. After a few hours, I was good.

HIGHLIGHTS

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

• 💕Happy anniversary to Luke and Jennifer Parker.

• Happy birthday to Brent Fikowski and Lucille Phelouzat.

• Check out little Willow training with mom Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr. 

• Congratulations to Rafael of CrossFit Montijo of Portugal on this 130-kilo/286-pound clean complex.

• 🖐️Check out this 200-kilo/440-pound single-arm deadlift from Bartek Lipka of Poland.

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