The Fittest Games is one of the longest running local competitions within the sport of fitness. Established in 2008 out of CrossFit Central in Austin, TX, founder Jeremy Thiel wanted to offer athletes an opportunity to compete outside of the only large competition at the time: The CrossFit Games. While Thiel went on to take the title as the “3^rd Fittest Man in the World” in the CrossFit Games that same year, he saw the Fittest Games as offering a larger majority as taste of the push and adrenaline rush he got from competition.

 

Here’s a little inside scoop into the growth and the development of the this veteran competition, that began as a month-long series competition, held in four cities throughout Texas.

 

February 2008: The very first Fittest Games was held in Austin, Texas in CrossFit Central’s first 600 square-foot gym. The competition began as a four competition “challenge” that took place once a month over the course of 4 months in Austin, Buda, Burnet and Houston, Texas. The overall winner’s purse was a flight to the 2008 CrossFit Games and their registration fee.

 

March 2009: In 2009, The Fittest Games became a two-competition event consisting of a qualifier and a championship. The first “qualifier event” was held at both CrossFit Central in Austin and at CrossFit Dallas Central in Dallas on the same day to support the volume of athletes across Texas. The Fittest Games “championship” was then held in April in Austin. After two workouts, Jeff Reed and Jen Shaw won The Fittest Games Championship.

 

2010: CrossFit Central chose to forgo holding the Fittest Games in 2010 for the opportunity to host the first ever CrossFit Sectionals at Camp Mabry.

 

February 2011: The Fittest Games moved to CrossFit Central on Burnet Road and across the street at the Lamar Middle School track. There, they introduced a team division and a 40+ Division. Over 500 spectators came out to the event and 200 athletes competed. Lisa Thiel won 1^st place in the Women’s Elite Division. Patrick Burke won 1^stplace in the Men’s Elite Division and CrossFit Dallas Central took the team division.

 

January 2012: The 2012 edition was held in a large warehouse in East Austin. CrossFit Central distinguished divisions as Pro and Amateur, a new standard from the previous labeling of Elite and Intermediate. ‘The Heart of the Lion’ award was also created. Candice Ruiz took 1st place in the Women’s Pro Division and CrossFit Dallas Central won 1^st place in the Team Division.

 

January 2013: The first year we held The Fittest Games at CrossFit Central’s Downtown location and the first year to move to a two-day event. The theme for this year’s competition was #Limitless. Over 1,200 spectators came out to gather, cheer and support their community. Megan Norris won 1^st place in the Women’s Pro Division, Phillip Kneip won 1^st place in the Men’s Pro Division and CrossFit Cedar Park won the Team Division.

 

January 2014: This year’s theme was #TheKingdom. In the Fall of 2013, “The Lottery” was introduced. This was an online community competition consisting of 8 workouts held over the course of 4 weeks, giving athletes the opportunity to earn entry into The Fittest Games competition in January. Jenn Jones and Brice Collier finished 1^st in the Pro Division, Mad Athletes finished 1^st in the Team Division, Chris Larrazolo and Vanessa Silva finished first in the Amateur Division, Jared Muse and Janet Black finished first in the 40-49 Division, and Michael Goins and Susanne Kraus finished 1^st in the 50+ Division. The 2014 Fittest Games competition was held at CrossFit Central in Downtown Austin. 500 athletes took on the competition with a purse over $20,0000 and 1^st place Pros, Amateurs and Teams earning NutriForce sponsorships. Pat Burke, Emily Cruthers, and Crossfit Cedar Park took the podium that year. 

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The Fittest Games: WOD Analysis 
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