What is the Open?
The Open is a worldwide CrossFit event where athletes of all levels complete weekly workouts and track their progress alongside the global CrossFit community. It’s one of the most fun, challenging, and community-driven times of the year at Mischief.
Who is the Open For?
The CrossFit Open is for everyone, no matter your age, experience, or fitness level. Each workout includes scaled options, making it accessible whether you’re new to CrossFit or a seasoned athlete. It’s a fun way to challenge yourself, track progress, and be part of a worldwide CrossFit community.
What is Friday Night Lights?
Friday Night Lights is a fun time to get a workout in and hang out with the community. During FNL people bring drinks and food and hang out. Doors typically open at 3:30PM and the first heat will go off at 4:00PM.
Can I come to Friday Night Lights and not workout?
Absolutely! Whether you work out or not you are welcome to join in on the festivities and cheer on your fellow members. You are welcome to bring food to share and your drink of choice. Friends and family are welcome to spectate and hang out.
How long is The Open and how many workouts are completed?
The Open is 3 weeks long (starting February 26th) and one workout is released a week (total of 3 workouts).
How will the Open affect class times?
Friday morning classes will run at their normal times, but Friday evening classes will be run in heats. Heats will be organized to ensure that everyone who wants to complete the workout with a judge has the opportunity to do so.
Please note that there will be no judges for the morning classes. For the evening heats, judges are optional if you have not registered for the CrossFit Open.
How do I sign up for heat times?
Heat times will be posted Thursday afternoon / evening each week on the Mischief schedule after CrossFit HQ has released the workout.
If my membership is 3X a week, will Friday Night Lights count as one of my classes?
Nope, Friday Night Lights is a free event for all members. Working out during one of our evening heats times will not count toward your 3x a week membership. Please note: Friday Morning classes will count toward one of your classes.
Do I need to sign up on the schedule if I plan on NOT working out but want to attend Friday Night Lights?
Nope, just show up when you want and leave when you want. Only people who plan on working out need to sign up on the schedule before the cut off times.
How will the heats be run?
Your heat time is the exact time your workout will begin. All athletes signed up on the schedule are asked to arrive at least 30 minutes before their heat time to allow enough time to warm up and review the workout details.
A designated warm-up area will be available, and the warm-up will be posted for you to complete on your own. Please note that heat times are not structured like normal classes—athletes are responsible for completing their own warm-up and understanding the workout ahead of time.
Coaches will be available to answer questions about movements, standards, or workout structure, but athletes should plan to be prepared and ready to go when their heat starts.
Will there be judges?
If you are not officially sign up for the CrossFit Open you have the option to have a judge. The purpose of the judge is to count your reps and ensure you are following the movement standards set by CrossFit HQ.
If you signed up for the CrossFit Open (via HQ’s website) you will need a judge to submit your score OR if you do not have a judge you will need to submit video footage of your workout.
How do I register online with the CrossFit Games and what does it involve?
Registration for the CrossFit Open takes place on The CrossFit Games website, which is a separate site from CrossFit Mischief. This is where you’ll submit your scores and appear on The CrossFit Games leaderboard.
Registering allows you to track how you progress year over year, set benchmarks for the future, and see how you stack up against athletes around the world. The cost to register is $20.
Do I have to register with the CrossFit Games to participate in Friday Night Lights?
Nope! You can 100% participate in Friday Night Lights, complete the Open work without registering with CrossFit Games. FNL is a free event for all members.
Other questions you might be asking yourself…
“I’m not fit enough” or “I’m not as fit as I was last year.”
You don’t need a particular fitness level to participate in the Open. All you need is a willingness to try—the excitement and camaraderie of the Open will take care of the rest. As the saying goes, “The best way to start is to start.” Rather than waiting to be “fit enough,” jump in and experience it.
Each year, members who participate in the Open are inspired to increase their weekly attendance, commit to a pull-up program, or work toward their first muscle-up. By next year’s Open, they’re fitter, stronger, and ready to take on even more. It all starts with that first Open experience—standing on the sidelines means missing out on that catalyst.
If you’re worried you’re not as fit as last year, don’t be. The Open is a great checkpoint: it may motivate you to improve, or it may show that you’re just as strong—or stronger—than before.
“What are the workouts like? I don’t think the Open is for me.”
The Open workouts are similar to the ones you do at Mischief, just programmed by someone else. By attending class, practicing the movements, and moving well each day, you’re already prepared and ready to take on the Open. Don’t underestimate yourself—you’ve got this!
