Posted on

The CrossFit Open Leaderboard: See Who’s Currently Dominating

The submission deadline for 18.2 and 18.2A scores has officially passed, and the CrossFit Open leaderboards for men and women are currently fluctuating like crazy. We’re not saying that we’re glued to our screens, constantly refreshing the page or anything weird like that.

… Okay, we totally are…

Can you blame us?! As of this moment, here are the top five women:

  1. Emma Ferreira
  2. Carolyne Prevost
  3. Emma McQuaid
  4. Kara Saunders
  5. Cassidy Lance-McWherter


Not far below that is Camille Leblanc-Bazinet in ninth, Jessica Coughlan in 11th, and Katrin Davidsdottir in 12th. We spy with our little eye Brooke Wells in 15th, Kristin Holte in 23th and Tia-Clair Toomey in 33nd.

While Mat Fraser’s rankings have fluctuated a bit over the last couple of weeks, he’s wrapping up the second week of the CrossFit Open strong and at the very top of the leaderboard.

18.2 385# @roguefitness #hardworkpaysoffs #HWPO

A post shared by Mathew Fraser (@mathewfras) on


Here are the top five men:

  1. Mat Fraser
  2. Alex Vigneault
  3. Anthony Davis
  4. Michael Palomba
  5. Piotr Szczycinski

Patrick Vellner, who competed with Noah Ohlsen at the live announcement for 18.2 and 18.2A, is currently sitting in 12th. Speaking of Ohlsen, he’s currently ranked 80th — but we all know how much will change by the time the Open comes to a close.

We’re not sure what to expect over the next couple of hours, as there are still notable names missing. For instance, Annie Thorisdottir, who was in second place after 18.1, hasn’t yet entered her latest scores. Neither has Margaux Alvarez. (Ladies! The suspense is killing us!)

Did any of your favorite athletes make it in the top five?

Main image: Mat Fraser/Instagram

Posted on

Tia-Clair Toomey Shares Some of Her Favourite Movements

What movements are you hoping to see in the Open? Now we know what the current fittest woman on earth is hoping for. In a recent Instagram post, Tia-Clair Toomey revealed two of her top movements: handstand push-ups and power cleans. Watch her knock them out!

The Open is almost here. What do you think Castro has in store for us?

Main image: Tia-Clair Toomey/Instagram

Posted on

Tia-Clair Toomey Preps for the Open With This “Spicy” WOD

We’re already well into February and quickly closing in on the 2018 CrossFit Open. All eyes are on 2017’s fittest woman on earth, Tia-Clair Toomey, as she preps for the worldwide competition likely with the goal of hanging on to the coveted title. In preparation for the Open, Toomey shared a “spicy” WOD she recently did on Instagram of a six-minute AMRAP, consisting of 14 bar muscle-ups and 15 dumbbell snatches. Spicy is an understatement, but we wouldn’t expect anything less from the champion.

A post shared by Tia-Clair Toomey (@tiaclair1) on

Main image: Tia-Clair Toomey/Instagram

Posted on

Try This Clean and Jerk Complex From Tia-Clair Toomey

The fittest woman on earth, Tia-Clair Toomey, is always giving us new ideas for things to try in the gym. She’s a pro when it comes to practicing overhead stability, and nobody knows how to get abs of steel quite like her. It’s no secret she’s also a seasoned Olympic weightlifter and a total beast on the platform, and now we’re getting a glimpse into how she spends time training with a barbell. Here’s a recent complex she did — will you give this a try in your own training?

Main image: Tia-Clair Toomey/Instagram

Posted on

Try This Killer Core Workout From Tia-Clair Toomey

This makes our abs burn just watching. The fittest woman on earth has always been generous with sharing her workouts on social media. Recently, she showed us a little core workout she likes to do, consisting of roll-outs and L-sit holds. For the roll-outs, you can use an ab wheel like Tia, or a barbell with some change plates on the ends. Roll-outs (and L-sit holds, for that matter) aren’t just ab workouts. You’ll feel it everywhere. This must explain why she’s so shredded. Now, get to work, and let us know what you think!

Main image: Tia-Clair Toomey/Instagram from Essence Images

Posted on

Try This “Spicy” WOD From Tia-Clair Toomey

If a WOD has the fittest woman on earth doubled over and breathing heavy, you know it’s a tough one. Tia-Clair Toomey recently shared a rather challenging WOD she and some gym buddies took on, and now we’re itching to try it ourselves. It involves two rounds of 30 hang power cleans, 30 front squats, and 30 push presses. That’s certainly one way to get the heart pumping! See her video clip below.

Posted on

Can You Really Be a Competitive Weightlifter and CrossFitter?

You’ve probably known of a few people who are capable of being both a competitive weightlifter and a competitive CrossFitter. The most famous is likely Tia-Clair Toomey, who won the 2017 CrossFit Games about one year after she represented Australia at the Rio Olympics. This is a highly unusual case, with most CrossFitters being decent lifters, and most lifters being decent CrossFitters (or amongst the best, as the case is with Mat Fraser — admittedly, a rare find).

So, why don’t we see more people performing at the competitive level in both?

What Each Sport Demands

Physiologically, weightlifting is at the very extreme end of the power versus endurance spectrum. Movements are so brief and so technical that it requires an incredible central nervous system as a part of training. Weightlifting is more about speed than anything else.

The other end of this spectrum would be Ironman triathletes and ultra-marathoners, who cannot be successful without training and improving their endurance over very long distances.

snatch

No matter your talent, there is no feasible way to train both ends of the spectrum and absolutely dominate in either one.

CrossFit fits into this picture somewhere in between the weightlifter and the marathon runner. Workouts include a little bit of everything: strength, endurance, and speed. It also relies on the same basic mobility, speed and movements we use in weightlifting.

Once you’ve trained strength and speed, what’s left is endurance. For weightlifters looking to tackle CrossFit at a higher level, this is often the hardest part. They’re not used to 20-minute WODs, because their movements take a matter of seconds.

Still, you can — without a doubt — train endurance. So, does that mean an athlete can realistically tackle both sports? There’s still more to this debate.

Being a Specialist Versus a Generalist

Besides endurance being a challenge, the biggest obstacle is a matter of logistics. There are so many skills to learn in CrossFit that the athletes are only moderately good at all of them, and never truly become a master at any of them. They are not the strongest athletes, not the most powerful, do not have the best endurance, are not the best gymnasts, etc. Learning many different skills makes the athletes very fit and well-rounded, but not a specialist in anything in particular. These are generalists.

regionals

While the CrossFitter is busy improving upon 20 different things (including lifting), the weightlifter is perfecting one: weightlifting. Because of this, it’s clear that a full-time weightlifter will likely be more proficient at weightlifting than a CrossFitter will ever be. Weightlifters are specialists.

The simple logistics make it difficult to imagine succeeding in both when training demands such different things. That being said, some people seem to make it work.

How You Might Make it Work

There have been some high-profile female CrossFit athletes, including Annie Thorisdottir, who have attended world-class weightlifting events such as the European championships and world championships. They are the best in their respective nation, performing at the bottom of the international field. They oftentimes represent countries with little or no high-level weightlifters or no weightlifting program, so the competition might not be as stiff. Regardless, simply qualifying to the international stage is an incredible feat and something to be immensely proud of.

If you think you would be happy performing in the top 20 or 30 in your nation, go for it! It might be difficult to take the platform at the IWF World Championships and the CrossFit Games in a single year; but don’t let that stop you from training your heart out. And remember, you can always compete on a local level for fun. After all, the number one priority should always be to enjoy what you’re doing — not win medals.

Can you train in both sports? Yes. Can you compete at a high level in both? It’s not likely. This doesn’t have to be a bad thing. You can still find a way to include both Olympic weightlifting and CrossFit into your programming so that spending time in the gym is always fulfilling.

Posted on

This is How the Fittest Woman on Earth Works on Shoulder Stability

tia-clair toomey

Tia-Clair Toomey knows how important it is to practice overhead stability. Now, she’s back with yet another exercise — a variation of one she previously showed us on Instagram. At that end of her training, she attached two kettlebells to a bar using resistance bands, and went for a stroll. This isn’t about simply being strong. It’s also about being able to manage wobbling weight and walk in a way that you don’t totally lose control. She says it helps the shoulders become more stable; truthfully, it probably helps your whole body learn how to stabilize. Check it out!

Main image: Tia-Clair Toomey/Facebook

Posted on

Here’s How Tia-Clair Toomey Practices Overhead Stability

Strength, balance, and mobility are key to proper technique for overhead movements. You need to feel in control of the barbell and stabilize your spine — this will make you feel secure when performing any overhead movement as your core is tight, arms are locked out and legs are active. There are numerous ways to practice overhead stability, as Tia-Clair Toomey — CrossFit Games 2017 champion — showed in an Instagram post. By using two weights on each side, Tia strengthens her core and balance, so that neither of the bumper plates touch the floor.

Main Image: Tia-Clair Toomey/Facebook

Posted on

Pacific Dominates at the 2017 Reebok CrossFit Invitational

This year’s Reebok CrossFit Invitational didn’t disappoint. Four teams comprised of the most stellar athletes on the globe came together in Melbourne to give it their all. At the end of the evening, Pacific reigned supreme, with a whopping 26 points total. Trailing behind came Canada with 19 points, the U.S. with 10 points and Europe with eight points.

It was a far cry from last year’s Invitational, where Europe took the top prize and Pacific came in third. In fact, Pacific has never finished better than third at this event. But this year, they came determined to prove they’re winners, with the fittest and second fittest women on the planet part of their team, and home field advantage. Aside from Tia-Clair Toomey and Kara Webb, Pacific also included Rob Forte and James Newbury, who also coached.

Europe was expected to put up a good fight, and they did; but there was some uncertainty as Sara Sigmundsdottir was sick leading up to the Invitational, keeping her out of practice. Team Canada had two Games podium finishers as well in Brent Fikowski and Pat Vellner. The U.S. roster was nothing to scoff at, either, with a coach like Adam Neiffer — a nine-time Affiliate cup athlete.

There can only be one winner, though; and this year, it was Pacific’s turn.

Congrats to each and every competitor — you gave quite a performance.

Main image: Rob Forte/Instagram

Posted on

Get Pumped for the Reebok CrossFit Invitational!

The 2017 Reebok CrossFit Invitational is upon us, and fans are ready. The fittest men and women from each region of the globe will come together this Sunday, November 5th, at the Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The teams for Canada, Europe, the USA and Pacific are set, with powerhouse athletes like Tia-Clair Toomey, Annie Thorisdottir and Noah Ohlsen up to compete. The show starts at 4 p.m. AEST and is scheduled to go two hours — will you tune in?

The CF Invitational has become a unique and adrenaline-pumping competition in its own right. It’s considered by many to be the ultimate team competition on the globe, making groups of the two strongest men and women in each region. Last year, Europe took the top prize, followed by the USA, Pacific and Canada. This year’s team surely won’t disappoint:

Canada: Alessandra Pichelli, Carol-Ann Reason-Thibault, Brent Fikowski and Patrick Vellner will form a team coached by former Games champion Camille Leblanc-Bazinet.

Europe: Bjorgvin Gudmundsson, Sara Sigmundsdottir, Annie Thorisdottir and Jason Smith will come together to compete as a team for the first time. They will be coached by Samantha Briggs.

USA: Coached by Adam Neiffer, Tennil Reed-Beuerlein, Kari Pearce, Scott Panchik and Noah Ohlsen will represent the USA.

Pacific: Rob Forte, James Newbury (who will also coach), second fittest woman on earth Kara Webb, and Fittest Woman on Earth Tia-Clair Toomey are ready to represent on home soil.

Event one for this year have been released, and we can expect to kick off the day with rope climbs, rowing, worm cleans, and the Assault bike.

Who do you think will win? Let us know your predictions!

Another day to make America fitter! #TeamUSA #CrossFitInvitational ? @daniel.a.snaps for @crossfit

A post shared by Noah Ohlsen (@nohlsen) on

Main image: Noah Olsen/Instagram

Posted on

Here’s How Tia-Clair Toomey Gets Her Six-Pack Abs

When talking about the fittest woman on earth, one thing comes to mind:

Abs.

Also, insane strength, inspiring dedication, and a killer work ethic. Tia-Clair Toomey is all of the above and more, and fans were thrilled to finally see her standing at the top of the podium at this year’s CrossFit Games. While her list of qualities is a lengthy one, we’re not afraid to admit we’re dying to know how she has such a killer six-pack. Lucky for us, Toomey has been generous enough to share some of her favorite exercises for staying so lean and shredded. Here are some of her top core workouts.

1. Windshield Wipers

Don’t be fooled — these are way tougher than they look. Try one. Seriously — just one. Hanging from the bar (and making sure you’re not sinking into your shoulders), bring your toes as close to the bar as possible and lower them to one side. Bring them back and then lower them to the other. Repeat until your abs burn with the fire of a thousand suns.

2. Ab-Blasting Tabata

This one combines windshield wipers and sit-ups in the form of a tabata. See how many rounds you can get through before you enter the pain cave.

3. Planks on Planks

Planks are so challenging because they burn literally everywhere. If you’re feeling a little feisty and want to be tough like Tia-Clair, try adding weight like she did!

Main image: Tia-Clair Toomey/Facebook