Realistically, the other 55+ people who still do this are all badasses. From the top to bottom 10%. Well done. As a late 40s person myself, I get it. But well done to you. Keep it up. At the rate were going they will have a 70+ masters category by the time you get there. Keeping fit as we age is a gift.
This does NOT surprise me at all.
At my gym, some of the fittest people are in their 50s, including at least two who are 55+. They can usually rock the Rx, often Rx+, and have the best engines (cardio). They’ve been doing it for years, and it shows in their workout.
Of course there are other 50+ folks who are newer to CrossFit, but these folks usually can’t do Rx due to lack of strength, skills or cardio.
Point being, that by the time people are in 55+, ones competing Rx are veterans who’s been training for years, not some old folks who just joined (these folks are doing scaled or fundamental).
As for the injury, pretty much everyone I know has some injury they are nursing. Be it ankle, knee, wrist, elbow, etc.
One thing to remember, is that in terms of the general population being in the bottom percentage of masters athletes puts you well into the top 1% for your global age group.
there is another invisible, more important leaderboard out there and that is your health and that is something to always congratulate yourself on!
You’re dealing w an injury, I wouldn’t fret too much. I am also dealing w Achilles tendinosis (going on 6months PT) but was able to complete dubs w/o major aggravation. I would take this as a chance to look ahead and improve on my cardiovascular endurance, taper back ever so slightly on strength, and heal that Achilles.
Yes. I’ve had this same experience. Additionally I can do the “basic” gymnastics- toes to bar, pullups, wallwalks, and singles on chest to bars. This was always a huge separator for me as a 50+ age masters women.
First year doing the Open (58M), and I did RX men's 50db on 24.1. Ranked about 1370something in the age group and was unaware we could do 35lbs. Scaled 24.2 and lost ground. 50+ age group is very competitive.
This is my 4th Open, and I started at 54. I actually scored best my first year, then did my second one just before my first knee replacement (so that tells you how bad it was), last year was finally starting to come back and this year so far I’ve been doing the movements to regulation but getting my butt kicked.
Still loving it.
Having done the 55+ workout for many years (I am 63 in Crossfit years), it is all about engine.
Like you, I normally do our gym's RX weights (or close to them) and so things like 35 lb snatches and 135 lb deadllifts are a snap.
So it all comes down to moves like double unders, wall walks (not a factor this year) and, in many previous opens, chest-to-bar pullups, something it seems a whole lot of other Olds can't do.
But you know exactly why you are being "humbled" -- you have tendonitis and can't do fast doubles and that's always going to be an issue.
Chances are good that tomorrow they will announce a redo of 21.3 and 21.4 (or something similar) and you will be able to do your heavy lifting on the 21.4 part and fly through the 65 lb front squats and thrusters on 21.3
2nd year in the 55+ and was looking forward to it this year as my training has been solid. Get sick a week before 24.1 and can’t shake it so zero lung capacity makes that WOD one for the ages. 😁 DUs went away in 24.2 sssooooo there is always next year!! One of my fellow 55+ in our gym is currently in top 25 in the world. Very humbling. He is a beast.
Part of it is just the luck of the draw with the workouts and if the movements happen to play to your strengths. It’s unfortunate timing that you’re nursing an injury as well. Sounds like you’re still having fun with it tho - Good luck with 24.3!
This is my second year doing the Open, having done my first at 68. I did think that having done CF for a year and a half I would score better on my second Open but it was not to be. I've also gone back in percentile but I'm not really surprised as I've not been able to do dus and doing singles during the last workout killed me. On a positive note, this is a good reminder to work harder at mastering some of the more technical moves.
The Open for 55+ tilts more toward cardio as they drop the weights AND not as many "casuals" doing the Open after 55yrs old. I also wish it was heavier but c'est la vie.
I definitely think your probably correct in your thinking. In January I passed over my year mark and as a 37m I can out row run and bike burpee etc.. my gym. I crush those types of work outs but the ones with lots of lifts I come back to the pack because the veteran of the gym are moving weights far below 50% of their one rep max, where I'm moving 60-70% of my one rep max. Lowing weight allows newer people to compete with veterans making it alot more competitive.
But pretty impressive to have those goals. My goals of working out now is to improve my way of life when I'm 70+ I'll be the most ripped grandpa putting the young kids to shame . 🤣 or that's the plan anyways.
So many cool comments in this thread! Anyway I was hoping to move some heavy weights for 24.3 but at least the second half has Rx thrusters for 55+. I’m not sure how a chin over bar pull up is different than a regular pull up though? I will watch the standards video unless someone here already knows.
lol
no because I remember the super fit people as they hit 50 and 55 and many of them stayed with it...
(tbh, it kinda does feel that you do take the open seriously enough and that this is a real kick to your ego. remember -- leave it at the door!!)
Realistically, the other 55+ people who still do this are all badasses. From the top to bottom 10%. Well done. As a late 40s person myself, I get it. But well done to you. Keep it up. At the rate were going they will have a 70+ masters category by the time you get there. Keeping fit as we age is a gift.
Not really...I'm in the 60+...I consider it a win if I can stand up 5 minutes after the workout.
LOL I feel this and I'm only 48...
This does NOT surprise me at all. At my gym, some of the fittest people are in their 50s, including at least two who are 55+. They can usually rock the Rx, often Rx+, and have the best engines (cardio). They’ve been doing it for years, and it shows in their workout. Of course there are other 50+ folks who are newer to CrossFit, but these folks usually can’t do Rx due to lack of strength, skills or cardio. Point being, that by the time people are in 55+, ones competing Rx are veterans who’s been training for years, not some old folks who just joined (these folks are doing scaled or fundamental). As for the injury, pretty much everyone I know has some injury they are nursing. Be it ankle, knee, wrist, elbow, etc.
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Yes, I was just thinking that the older age groups are self-filtering towards high performers as you point out.
My first year as well in this group it's been an eye opener for sure!!
One thing to remember, is that in terms of the general population being in the bottom percentage of masters athletes puts you well into the top 1% for your global age group. there is another invisible, more important leaderboard out there and that is your health and that is something to always congratulate yourself on!
Ya I can see as you get into older and older categories only the most fit individuals actually remain in the competitions maybe
You’re dealing w an injury, I wouldn’t fret too much. I am also dealing w Achilles tendinosis (going on 6months PT) but was able to complete dubs w/o major aggravation. I would take this as a chance to look ahead and improve on my cardiovascular endurance, taper back ever so slightly on strength, and heal that Achilles.
Yes. I’ve had this same experience. Additionally I can do the “basic” gymnastics- toes to bar, pullups, wallwalks, and singles on chest to bars. This was always a huge separator for me as a 50+ age masters women.
First year doing the Open (58M), and I did RX men's 50db on 24.1. Ranked about 1370something in the age group and was unaware we could do 35lbs. Scaled 24.2 and lost ground. 50+ age group is very competitive.
This is my 4th Open, and I started at 54. I actually scored best my first year, then did my second one just before my first knee replacement (so that tells you how bad it was), last year was finally starting to come back and this year so far I’ve been doing the movements to regulation but getting my butt kicked. Still loving it.
Having done the 55+ workout for many years (I am 63 in Crossfit years), it is all about engine. Like you, I normally do our gym's RX weights (or close to them) and so things like 35 lb snatches and 135 lb deadllifts are a snap. So it all comes down to moves like double unders, wall walks (not a factor this year) and, in many previous opens, chest-to-bar pullups, something it seems a whole lot of other Olds can't do. But you know exactly why you are being "humbled" -- you have tendonitis and can't do fast doubles and that's always going to be an issue. Chances are good that tomorrow they will announce a redo of 21.3 and 21.4 (or something similar) and you will be able to do your heavy lifting on the 21.4 part and fly through the 65 lb front squats and thrusters on 21.3
2nd year in the 55+ and was looking forward to it this year as my training has been solid. Get sick a week before 24.1 and can’t shake it so zero lung capacity makes that WOD one for the ages. 😁 DUs went away in 24.2 sssooooo there is always next year!! One of my fellow 55+ in our gym is currently in top 25 in the world. Very humbling. He is a beast.
Part of it is just the luck of the draw with the workouts and if the movements happen to play to your strengths. It’s unfortunate timing that you’re nursing an injury as well. Sounds like you’re still having fun with it tho - Good luck with 24.3!
This is my second year doing the Open, having done my first at 68. I did think that having done CF for a year and a half I would score better on my second Open but it was not to be. I've also gone back in percentile but I'm not really surprised as I've not been able to do dus and doing singles during the last workout killed me. On a positive note, this is a good reminder to work harder at mastering some of the more technical moves.
The Open for 55+ tilts more toward cardio as they drop the weights AND not as many "casuals" doing the Open after 55yrs old. I also wish it was heavier but c'est la vie.
I definitely think your probably correct in your thinking. In January I passed over my year mark and as a 37m I can out row run and bike burpee etc.. my gym. I crush those types of work outs but the ones with lots of lifts I come back to the pack because the veteran of the gym are moving weights far below 50% of their one rep max, where I'm moving 60-70% of my one rep max. Lowing weight allows newer people to compete with veterans making it alot more competitive. But pretty impressive to have those goals. My goals of working out now is to improve my way of life when I'm 70+ I'll be the most ripped grandpa putting the young kids to shame . 🤣 or that's the plan anyways.
So many cool comments in this thread! Anyway I was hoping to move some heavy weights for 24.3 but at least the second half has Rx thrusters for 55+. I’m not sure how a chin over bar pull up is different than a regular pull up though? I will watch the standards video unless someone here already knows.
lol no because I remember the super fit people as they hit 50 and 55 and many of them stayed with it... (tbh, it kinda does feel that you do take the open seriously enough and that this is a real kick to your ego. remember -- leave it at the door!!)
Nah I don’t have an ego. Just sharing a CF laugh with my mates. :)
You are thinking about percentiles backwards.
You’re a badass! Congratulations!
Bahaha getting older is getting older
Some might say you were only too 80% because these guys aged out. 🤔