Why CrossFit OGs Still Rule Instagram

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Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up.

In today’s edition:

• CrossFit OGs lead on Instagram, while newer stars lag behind—we explore why.

• Pamela Gagnon tackles whether Masters athletes should train high-level gymnastics.

• Jennifer Muir eyes the 2025 Games and Rogue Invitational.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I have some good opportunities to compete in a short bit of time,” - Jennifer Muir, Fittest Woman in Scotland, on her 2025 season.

INDUSTRY

From Likes to Legacy: Why CrossFit OGs Rule Instagram

When it comes to Instagram followers, it’s no surprise that the G.O.A.T.s of both men’s and women’s CrossFit, Mat Fraser and Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr, are leading the charts as the two athletes with the largest followings; Toomey-Orr has 2 million, while Fraser has 2.3 million.

• What’s perhaps more surprising is that recent stars, including 2024 CrossFit Games champion James Sprague (78,500 followers) and second-place finisher Dallin Pepper (91,500 followers), for example, have very small followings in comparison, despite their stellar accomplishments. 

• Similarly, the women who placed second and third at last summer’s Games, Gabi Migala and Emily Rolfe, have just 131,000 and 102,000 followers, respectively.

This prompted us to dig a little deeper, uncovering an intriguing fact: all CrossFit Games athletes with at least 1 million followers participated in their first CrossFit Games before 2016. 

• The sole exception is Dani Speegle, who debuted at the Games in 2019 and now boasts 1.8 million followers. Her participation in the Titan Games on NBC in 2020 may have played a role in this.

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SPEED READS

🎟️ 💪 2025 CrossFit Games Tickets: Tickets for the 2025 CrossFit Games at MVP Arena in Albany, NY, are on sale now.

👴 🏋️ 2025 CrossFit Age Group In-Affiliate Semifinals: The Age Group In-Affiliate Semifinals are taking place now!

• The workout details for the 2025 CrossFit In-Affiliate Age Group Semifinals were released earlier this week. Check them out here.

🧂 💧 LMNT “Reaching More People with Retail”: Popular electrolyte brand LMNT, known for its direct-to-consumer success, is now moving into retail—here’s why.

🇺🇸💪Northern Spirit x Mayhem: Mayhem Nation announced that Northern Spirit is now its Official Apparel Partner, with the brand set to produce global Mayhem gear and outfit all Mayhem Classic athletes and volunteers.

In-Affiliate Semifinals Changes for 2025: In-Affiliate Semifinals are on now — get the judging and location details necessary to validate your workouts.

ICYMI: Fuel smarter on training and rest days with targeted snack tips (apologies for the tech issue yesterday).

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

Should CrossFit Masters Athletes Perform High-Level Gymnastics?

As the CrossFit community ages, a growing percentage of the overall athlete population is moving into the more, shall we say, “mature” age groups. I’m saying it gently because I’m one of them, too!

So, how much should we hold back on higher-level gymnastics as we age? Should 60+ Masters perform bar muscle-ups in the Open? Should masters 40+ do fewer reps overall?

Grab your coffee as we dive into these questions and more. 

Not a Simple Question

To directly answer the question in the title of this article, yes, Masters athletes are very capable of performing higher-level gymnastics skills and continue to demonstrate this year after year, as we see on social media and at the Masters CrossFit Games.

However, it’s not that simple; not all Masters athletes should be performing advanced gymnastics skills.

THINGS TO…

…KNOW

Can You Combine HYROX and CrossFit Training?

Wod Science broke this question down in a nifty infographic below. Be sure to give them a follow on YouTube, where they dig deep into the details.  

CAN TIA PROVE THEM WRONG?

…READ

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…Watch

Danielle Brandon’s 2025 Season Video Diary

In Episode 1 of the DBE Diaries, we catch up with Brandon and her pup, Ca$h, in Tampa, FL, as the fan favorite breaks down her upcoming season, balancing the CrossFit Games and the World Fitness Project.

WATCH HERE.

PROFILE

Interview: Jennifer Muir, Scotland’s Fittest Woman, Eyes 2025 CrossFit Season

Jennifer Muir has accomplished a great deal in a short period. After finding CrossFit in 2021, she rose through the ranks quickly, earning the title of Fittest in the UK by 2023. 

Each year since she began her competitive fitness journey, she has gained more experience not only competing in the CrossFit season but also in off-season events such as FitFest and TYR Wodapalooza. 

• She has learned more about herself and has grown closer each year to the primary goal that has motivated her all this time: qualifying for the CrossFit Games. 

Some Background

Muir began competitive sports at nine as a swimmer. For five years, she excelled, and during cross-training, she discovered her talent for running as well. 

She decided to try out for the Scotland Triathlon team, using a bike bought specifically for the occasion from Gumtree, the UK's equivalent of Craigslist. She made the team at 14 years old. 

After two years of competing in triathlons, Muir found it challenging to balance a heavy academic load with her training; thus, she had to step away from the sport. However, she was able to transition into something different.

• “When I started University, I went to the gym to keep fit, and there was a powerlifting group there, who said, ‘Hey, you’re really strong, you should start powerlifting,’” Muir told Morning Chalk Up.

HIGHLIGHTS

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

• 🎂Happy birthday to Sam Kitching.

• Happy birthday (4/6) to Kelsey Kiel.

• Watch Colten Mertens put in some last-minute work before the Mayhem Classic this weekend.

• Congratulations to Bill Keithler from Pennington CrossFit for completing a 100k erg row in just under 13 hours to raise money for the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

• 🔥Well done to Laura Clifton on this 100-kilo/220-pound clean and jerk at The Trinity Throwdown in Australia.

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