Bound Newsletter 2.28.2026
2026 CrossFit Open Week One Recap:
26.1 Brought the Fire
Week one of the 2026 CrossFit Open is officially complete — and 26.1 did exactly what the Open is designed to do:
It tested grit.
It tested pacing.
And it tested who was willing to stay uncomfortable the longest.
The Workout: 26.1
For Time:
20 Wall Balls (20/14)
18 Box Jump Overs (24/20)
30 Wall Balls
18 Box Jump Overs
40 Wall Balls
18 Box Step Overs (20/14lb)
66 Wall Balls
18 Box Step Overs (20/14lb)
40 Wall Balls
18 Box Jump Overs
30 Wall Balls
18 Box Jump Overs
20 Wall Balls
A total of 246 wall balls.
108 box transitions.
Relentless volume.
Nowhere to hide.
At first glance, it looked simple.
But anyone who stepped on the floor knows — simple does not mean easy.
The Real Test: Strategy + Stamina
26.1 rewarded athletes who could:
Stay disciplined early
Break wall balls intelligently
Control breathing under fatigue
Manage leg fatigue before it became failure
The wall balls accumulated fast. The legs filled up. The heart rate climbed. And that massive set of 66 wall balls in the middle? That’s where the workout separated athletes.
Some sprinted and paid for it.
Some paced perfectly and surged late.
Everyone felt it.
What Stood Out at CrossFit Bound
This weekend wasn’t about who finished first.
It was about:
Athletes hitting unbroken sets they didn’t think were possible
Members staying steady instead of panicking
First-time Open athletes walking into Friday Night Lights nervous — and leaving proud
Teammates counting reps loud enough to carry someone through the 50s and 60s
The 66 wall balls became a mental battle as much as a physical one.
And you won that battle.
Rep by rep.
Set by set.
Together.
Why Workouts Like 26.1 Matter
Wall balls and box work aren’t flashy.
They’re foundational.
They demand:
Squat endurance
Hip power
Core stability
Mental resilience
This is fitness that carries over to life. When your legs are burning and your lungs are screaming — and you choose to keep moving — that’s transferable strength.
That’s what we train for year-round.
The Open just shines a spotlight on it.
The Power of Community
If you were in the gym this weekend, you felt it.
The cheers got louder as reps climbed higher.
Nobody was alone on that final set of 40.
And every single athlete crossed the finish line supported.
That’s what makes CrossFit Bound different.
The Open doesn’t create our culture — it reveals it.
One Week Down.
26.1 tested endurance and grit.
Now we recover.
We refine.
We get ready for what’s next.
Because if week one showed us anything, it’s this:
You are more capable than you think.
Week Two is coming.
Let’s go.
CFB Intramural Open Standings after Week 1
Team 1
Team 2
Team 3
Team 4
Bragging Board:
Check out the CrossFit Games Leaderboard to keep up with the Top Performers at CrossFit Bound and compare to everyone in the world
Check Out our Weekly Training Highlight Reel Below
Upcoming Brithdays & Anniversaries
Anniversaries
4-Years
Steven Shaw March 28
3-Years
Cody Porter March 27
Dylan Porter March 27
2-Year
Luke Marben March 15
Francis Rivera March 27
Cody Cobb March 25
Alex Falcon March 9
1-Year
Alyssa Winkler March 28
Richard Brantely March 17
Birthdays
Winfred Brown March 7
Tiffany Rivera March 10
Brooklyn Shaw March 11
Samantha Joering March 18
Cody Porter March 21
Sam Stark March 22
Kerry Aponte March 23
Mary Turner March 28
Nicolas White March 29
Brian Chambers March 30
New Bound Build and Bound Endurance Training Cycles Start March 2nd
5K A Day Endurance Track
Building Our Engine for Hero Month
Over the next 12 weeks, we’re launching our 5K A Day Endurance Track — a focused aerobic development program designed to build a stronger engine across four modalities:
5K Run
5K Row
5K Ski Erg
10K Echo Bike
1 Weekly 400m Sprint Session
Each week, we’ll train 4 endurance days using structured intervals and add one dedicated sprint session to improve speed, mechanics, and finishing power.
Why We’re Doing This
Hero Month workouts demand:
Sustained effort
Smart pacing
The ability to push when uncomfortable
Speed when it matters
A resilient aerobic base
This program prepares you for all of it.
The 5K days build your engine.
The Sprint Day keeps your speed sharp and improves running efficiency.
We’re not just training to survive Hero workouts — we’re training to perform in them.
What You’ll Gain
Increased aerobic capacity
Better breathing control under fatigue
Improved running mechanics
Stronger finishing kick
Confidence in longer workouts
Faster 5K times across all machines
Sprint work helps you run smoother, more efficiently, and with better turnover — which actually makes your longer efforts feel easier.
The Big Goal
Hero workouts represent grit, resilience, and respect.
This cycle builds both:
The engine to sustain effort
The speed to finish strong
We build the base.
We sharpen the edge.
Then we show up ready for Hero Month.
Bound Build - Barbell Engine: Strength in Motion
For the next four weeks, we’re building a stronger, more powerful version of you — from the ground up.
Barbell Engine: Strength in Motion is a full-body strength cycle designed to improve your positional strength, barbell efficiency, and total-body power. Each week follows a focused structure:
Monday – Thruster Strength: Leg drive, overhead stability, and full-body stamina under load.
Wednesday – Snatch Skill Transfer: Sharpen bar path, speed under the bar, and overhead confidence.
Friday – Clean & Jerk Skill Transfer: Develop explosive hip drive, strong front rack positions, and confident jerks.
The goal over these 4 weeks:
Build stronger squats and pulls
Improve barbell timing and mechanics
Increase power output
Move heavier weight with better control
This isn’t just about lifting more — it’s about moving better, transferring strength into skill, and building a stronger foundation that carries into every workout.
Expect to feel stronger, faster, and more efficient by the end of the cycle. Let’s build.
Upcoming Events & Clinics
CROSSFIT OPEN - FEBRUARY 26 through MARCH 16
- Jan 14th is the opening day for registration. Let’s represent this year!
- HERE are more details.
Barbell Club starts back on Thursday February 19th
Bound Run/Sprint Club meeting at 7:30am on Saturday mornings at Kennesaw Mountain High School
Friday Night Lights
Feb 27
March 6
March 13
Article of the Week: You Gotta Keep Score: Why You'll Regret Not Recording Your Open Results
By Stephane Rochet - CF Lvl 3
We all have goals. Areas we want to improve, whether it’s nutrition, training, finances, or relationships. We want results. But here’s the thing: the only way to know where you are and then determine if your action plan is taking you toward your goal is to track your results.
You gotta keep score.
What Gets Measured Gets Managed
This is a famous business phrase for a reason. When we consistently attach numbers to an action, we get a clear understanding of its effect. We’re not stuck with ambiguous “I think this is working” or “I think I’m getting better.”
We know exactly what’s happening, and we can use this information to drive toward the results we want.
CrossFit Open Results Are Valuable Data
When we record our results on the Open leaderboard, we get incredibly valuable data on how we compare to our peers this year and year over year, how we’re improving, and the areas of weakness we need to address.
The Open is an incredible diagnostic tool, but only if we post our numbers.
You gotta keep score.
Keeping Score Is a Huge Part of CrossFit
We often ask athletes, “If you’re not recording your numbers, are you still doing CrossFit?”
Yes, you are, but you’re not taking full advantage of the program. Without recording your results, you have no idea what areas are improving, where you might be stagnating or getting worse, what’s out of balance, and what specifically needs to be done to improve your fitness.
CrossFit prides itself on using measurable, observable, and repeatable data to drive our training and optimize results.
You gotta keep score.
You’re Going to Wish You Recorded Your Results
For those who just want to do the Open for fun or are hesitant to record their numbers, we get it. It’s not easy to show the world where you’re at in black and white.
Just know that five years from now, you’ll regret not recording your results, because the fitness transformation story they would tell about you would be amazing. You’d have an accurate, objective record of the incredible work you’ve done and the unbelievable results you’ve achieved. Just like before-and-after photos in a transformation contest, your Open results highlight your fitness journey in a very compelling way.
You gotta keep score.
Recipe of the Week: High-Protein Lean Steak Fajitas (Serves 4)
Instructions
1️⃣ Marinate the Steak (30–24 hours ahead)
Whisk marinade ingredients together.
Coat steak thoroughly.
Refrigerate at least 30 minutes (up to overnight for best flavor).
2️⃣ Cook the Steak
Heat cast iron skillet or grill to high heat.
Cook steak 4–5 minutes per side (medium-rare to medium).
Rest 5–10 minutes.
Slice thin against the grain.
3️⃣ Cook the Vegetables
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in skillet.
Sauté peppers and onions 5–7 minutes until tender but slightly crisp.
Season lightly with salt and pepper.
4️⃣ Serve
Build fajitas in lettuce cups or low-carb tortillas.
Add steak, veggies, cilantro, and a small spoon of Greek yogurt.
Add sliced avocado if desired.
📊 Estimated Macros (Per Serving – without tortillas)
Calories: ~520
Protein: ~55–60g
Fat: ~28g
Carbs: ~10–12g (mostly from vegetables)
If served in lettuce cups, carbs stay very low.
Low-carb tortillas will add ~5–10g carbs depending on brand.
Why This Works
High protein supports muscle recovery and satiety.
Moderate fat keeps hormones optimized without overdoing calories.
Low carb helps with blood sugar control and body composition goals.
Lean steak keeps the flavor high without excessive saturated fat.
Ingredients
Protein
2 lbs lean flank steak or top sirloin (trimmed of visible fat)
~8 oz per person
High protein, naturally lean
Marinade
2 tbsp olive oil
Juice of 2 limes
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp oregano
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
Vegetables
2 bell peppers (sliced)
1 large onion (sliced)
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste
Optional Low-Carb Serving Options
Butter lettuce cups
Low-carb tortillas
Cauliflower rice
Fresh cilantro
Sliced avocado (moderate portion)
Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream)
