The evolution of CrossFit Games programming tells us everything about what elite fitness truly means. In our deep dive into the 2025 CrossFit Games workouts, we uncover how traditional movements executed at extraordinary levels continue to define the sport's pinnacle.

This breakdown reveals fascinating patterns: running dominated as the most programmed movement (appearing three times), while foundational gymnastics elements like toe-to-bar, handstand walks, and bar muscle-ups created appropriate tests without relying on exotic skills. The weightlifting components showcased remarkable strength standards – numerous men squatting over 500 pounds and women exceeding 300 pounds, often after completing grueling previous events.

What stands out most is the time domain distribution, with 67% of events lasting under 10 minutes and only one true endurance test. This pattern has remained consistent throughout CrossFit Games history (62% historically falling into the short time domain), suggesting that the ability to repeatedly perform at extreme intensity levels throughout a weekend defines elite fitness as much as any single capacity.

The programming brilliance shines in workouts like "Running Isabel," where the perfect combination of running and snatches created just the right challenge, with athletes making strategic decisions about when to break sets while battling visible hypoxia. Similarly, the "Albany Grip Trip" combined 2000 meters of running with 60 heavy deadlifts and 550 feet of handstand walking – a combination that would seem impossible to most, yet was completed in around 11 minutes by top competitors.

For CrossFit enthusiasts at any level, the takeaway is clear: mastery of fundamentals across varied time domains is the path to fitness excellence. Even at the highest levels, it's not about specialization in exotic skills, but rather expressing basic movements with extraordinary intensity, efficiency, and capacity.

Ready to elevate your own training? Follow Misfit Athletics programming at Strivee or Fitter through the link in our bio.

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Misfits! We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did and you're feeling generous throw us a review and let us know how we're doing, we'd really appreciate it.

If you'd like to join the Misfit family and get fit head to the link in our Instagram bio to get started today.

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What happens when you're at the pinnacle of your sport and suddenly your body betrays you? Seven-time CrossFit Games athlete Paige Semenza takes us through her remarkable journey of injury, adaptation, and triumph that culminated in her best Games finish yet—despite training through debilitating back and shoulder injuries.

The conversation starts with Paige revealing the moment in April 2023 when she felt that dreaded "pop" in her back during a deficit deadlift, just weeks before semifinals. Rather than surrendering to circumstance, she and her coach completely reimagined her training, focusing exclusively on pain-free movements while bringing maximum intensity to whatever limited exercises she could perform. Remarkably, this approach carried her through qualifications and to a ninth-place finish at the Games.

Just as her back issues were resolving, Paige encountered a devastating rotator cuff injury that severely limited her ability to perform pressing movements and pulling gymnastics—cornerstones of competitive CrossFit. Through cortisone shots and modified preparation, she navigated a grueling schedule of competitions while her body was screaming for rest.

What makes this episode truly special is Paige's raw honesty about the mental toll of training through injury. "I felt like a different person," she confesses about competing at World Fitness Project while physically compromised. The rebuilding process that followed—focused on conventional strength movements and patient progression—reveals profound insights about fitness development that challenge the "more is better" approach.

Perhaps most inspiring is Paige's philosophy on consistency: "I'm going to give myself grace when I show up, and whatever I can give that day, I'm going to be proud of." This balanced approach has enabled her to maintain progress through immense challenges and eventually return stronger than before.

Whether you're a competitive athlete or someone navigating your own fitness setbacks, Paige's journey offers valuable lessons about adaptability, mental fortitude, and the power of showing up day after day—regardless of circumstances.

Ready to train like a Misfit? Our free trials are available on Strivee and Fitter for a limited time. Experience our programming and join our community of dedicated athletes working toward their own breakthroughs.

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Misfits! We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did and you're feeling generous throw us a review and let us know how we're doing, we'd really appreciate it.

If you'd like to join the Misfit family and get fit head to the link in our Instagram bio to get started today.

Misfit Athletics Programming:
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https://misfitathletics.fitr.training/t/misfitathletics/

Misfit Affiliate Programming:
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Misfit Apparel at sharpentheaxeco.com
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The CrossFit Games season might end in August, but the journey to the 2026 season begins July 28th with Misfit's Phase Zero. This critical five-week baseline testing period establishes your starting point across strength, skill, conditioning, and workout proficiency before launching into nine-week training phases designed to systematically build your competitive engine.

In this comprehensive roadmap episode, we break down exactly how Misfit programming is structured, revealing the strategic progression of movement biases, energy systems development, and lifting protocols that build throughout the training year. The cornerstone of our approach is what we call "Murderer's Row" - the movements that consistently appear in competition and determine success at every level. For 2026, we've refined these focus areas based on extensive analysis of recent competition trends and athlete performance data.

Beyond just movements, we explore how monostructural conditioning progresses from zone two capacity-building in Phase One to aerobic efficiency work in Phase Two, culminating with anaerobic power development in Phase Three. We also introduce the new Misfit Aerobic Threshold Test (MATT), a 40-minute assessment designed specifically for CrossFitters who can't sustain the same percentage of threshold as pure endurance athletes in traditional FTP tests.

Perhaps most valuable is our discussion on training maxes versus ego-driven numbers - why basing your percentages on what you can lift "any given day" leads to better development than chasing numbers you hit once under perfect conditions. Whether you're targeting the Open with our Hatchet program or aiming for Semifinals and beyond with Pro, this episode provides the framework for understanding how each piece of the training puzzle fits together.

Want to experience the Misfit approach firsthand? We're offering a 7-day free trial through August 3rd on both our Strivee and Fitter platforms. Start your 2026 season journey with us and discover why our systematic programming produces consistently exceptional results across all competitive levels.

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Misfits! We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did and you're feeling generous throw us a review and let us know how we're doing, we'd really appreciate it.

If you'd like to join the Misfit family and get fit head to the link in our Instagram bio to get started today.

Misfit Athletics Programming:
https://strivee.app/marketplace/p/misfit
https://misfitathletics.fitr.training/t/misfitathletics/

Misfit Affiliate Programming:
https://teammisfit.com/subscribe/

Misfit Apparel at sharpentheaxeco.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/misfitathletics
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/misfitathletics

Thanks for clicking like and don’t forget to subscribe!