Cycle #2: The Peaking Phase – 2026 Open & Intramurals

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Cycle #2: Monday, February 9 – Sunday, March 8

Our second 4-week cycle of the year is here, marking the final stage of our 8-week macro-cycle. This is our official "Open Peaking Phase." Everything we have built since January—the engine building and skill acquisition—is now being refined for peak performance.

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This cycle parallels the start of the 2026 CrossFit Open and our Defined Intramurals, which officially kicks off on February 26. We are moving from practice to performance, testing our fitness as a community every week on the gym floor.

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🎯 Why We're Doing This: The Outcome

This cycle is the culmination of our preparation, shifting from training for capacity to executing for score.

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• Peaking for Performance: Volume and intensity are specifically tuned to ensure you feel sharp for the Open workouts.
• Capacity Over Absolute Strength: We are continuing to lean away from building absolute strength to dial in the metabolic conditioning needed to "redline" through the demands of the Open.
• The Intramural Experience: Whether you are officially signed up for the Open or participating in our Defined Intramurals, this cycle is about putting your skills into play under "Friday Night Lights" or at "Sunday Service."

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💪 Movement Progressions & Skill Execution

In Cycle #1, we focused on acquisition. In Cycle #2, we are evolving into high-volume execution of the movement patterns most likely to appear in the Open:

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• The Barbell Foundation: We will maintain Conventional Deadlifts at moderate training levels and prioritize Front Squat variations, as so many Open movements are derived from the front-rack position.
• Olympic & Overhead Volume: We will continue dedicated Olympic Lifting days, cycling between Clean and Snatch-based complexes. Additionally, expect to train Shoulder-to-Overhead movements in higher volumes to build specific stamina.
• High-Level Skills: We are practicing the "Big Games" movements under fatigue, including Bar Muscle-Ups, Inversions (Handstand Walks/Pushups), Cage Work, Toes-to-Bar, and Double Unders.

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🏋️ Metabolic Barbell Cycling

The Open rarely tests how much you can lift once; it tests how well you move a barbell when your heart rate is high. You will practice moving moderate loads with high efficiency, ensuring technique remains crisp while you are metabolically taxed.

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🚀 What’s Next?

Once we cross the finish line of the Open and this 8-week macro-cycle, we will take a hard pivot. We will transition back to building top-end absolute strength as we begin our Powerlifting / 1,000lb Club training.

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But for now—it's time to let the engine roar!

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