The CrossFit® Open has been the ultimate battleground since 2011—the place where PRs are crushed, egos are checked, and legends are born.
But when it comes to the workouts: not every movement is a winner. Some are straight-up iconic, while others… yeah, they probably should’ve been benched a long time ago.
So today, I’m ranking the top movements for the CrossFit® Open. No fluff, no BS—just the raw, honest truth about what makes these movements epic (or not). Let’s dive in!.
The S-Tier Elite: The Best of the Best
At the top of the Open movements, we have a handful of exercises that truly capture what CrossFit® programming is all about. These S-tier movements are non-negotiable favorites:
Burpees: The Ultimate Test of Work Capacity
Burpees are the gold standard of functional fitness. Whether it’s bar-facing, lateral, or box jump-over burpees, they’re simple, brutal, and effective. Harvard even says they burn more calories per minute than anything else—so you’re getting maximum bang for your buck. They’re tough for elite athletes and accessible for everyone else, which is why they’ll always sit at the top.
Read more about burpees in the CrossFit® Open.
Toes-to-Bar: Core Meets Coordination
There was some debate here, but toes-to-bar belongs in S-tier. It’s accessible, but it’s no cakewalk. This movement tests your midline stability, grip, and coordination in a way few others do. It doesn’t require raw strength, but it still separates the field.
Read more about toes to bar in the CrossFit® Open.
Chest-to-Bar Pull-ups: The Standard for Pulling Power
Chest-to-bar pull-ups are the ultimate test of upper-body pulling. They’re challenging but achievable, making them a perfect addition to S-tier. Plus, the clear contact point makes judging easier. Pair them with thrusters, and you’ve got a combo that’s as fair as it is fierce.
Read more about chest to bar pull ups in the CrossFit® Open.
Squat Cleans: Strength Meets Skill
Squat cleans are everything we love about CrossFit®—technical, powerful, and just plain cool to watch. They’re a little more forgiving than snatches but still demand solid mechanics. They’re an S-tier classic.
A-Tier Excellence: The Backbone of Great Workouts
Double Unders: The Skill Separator
Double unders blur the line between skill and fitness. That’s what makes them unique—pure skill with no strength requirements. They’re a huge separator in the Open and accessible enough for anyone to improve with practice.
Read more about double unders in the CrossFit® Open.
Deadlifts: A Strength Staple
Deadlifts are simple and effective, which is why they’re an A-tier staple. Sure, they show up a lot, but they give strong athletes a chance to shine. They’re heavy, rewarding, and tough to beat.
Clean and Jerk: All-Around Power Test
The clean and jerk is as versatile as it gets. It’s a go-to for testing strength, power, and coordination in one lift. Whether in a heavy workout or a complex, it always delivers.
Read more about clean & jerks in the CrossFit® Open.
Walking Lunges: Underrated and Effective
Walking lunges don’t get enough credit. Front rack, overhead, or single dumbbell—they’re all great tests of stability, endurance, and mental grit. The front rack variation gets a special nod for its difficulty.
Front Squats: Underused Powerhouses
Front squats don’t get as much love as they should, but they’re a gem. They test strength, mobility, and positioning, and they’d be even better with heavier weights in the Open.
Read more about front squats in the CrossFit® Open.
Squat Snatches: The High-Skill Benchmark
Squat snatches are technical and rewarding. While not as accessible as cleans, they’re unmatched for showcasing mobility and skill. They’re one of the best movements out there.
Read more about snatches in the CrossFit® Open.
Calorie Row: Aerobic Capacity
Rowing for calories beats rowing for meters any day. It’s harder to game and a solid test of aerobic capacity. Simple, tough, and fair.
Read more about rowing in the CrossFit® Open.
B-Tier Solid: The Unsung Heroes
Wall Walks: More Than Meets the Eye
Wall walks surprised everyone by becoming a legitimate test of muscular endurance. They’re a great alternative to handstand walks and deserve a solid B-tier spot.
Read more about wall walks in the CrossFit® Open.
Box Jumps: The Basics Done Right
Box jumps are nothing fancy, but they’re effective. They test explosive power and coordination, making them a reliable addition to any workout.
Read more about box jumps in the CrossFit® Open.
Wall Balls: Simple and Necessary
Wall balls might not be exciting, but they get the job done. Squat, throw, repeat—it’s a full-body grind that’s just plain effective.
Read more about walls balls in the CrossFit® Open.
Power Snatches: The Light-Weight Debate
Power snatches have their place, but they’re often criticized for allowing sloppy form at lighter weights. They’re a good test, but they’re not on the same level as squat snatches.
Read more about barbell cycling in the CrossFit® Open.
Overhead Squats: A True Mobility Test
Overhead squats test everything—mobility, strength, and precision. They’re tough, but their high skill demand keeps them from rising higher.
Read more about overhead lifts in the CrossFit® Open.
Lower Tiers: Movements We Can Skip
Pistols (F-Tier): Not Worth the Risk
Pistols are a nightmare for knees and ankles. The risk-reward ratio just isn’t there, especially under fatigue. They’re F-tier all the way.
Kipping Handstand Push-Ups (F-Tier): Just Say No
These are universally hated for a reason. They’re hard to judge, unsafe, and encourage poor movement patterns. F-tier without a doubt.
Read more about kipping handstand push-ups in the CrossFit® Open.
Dumbbell Hang Clean and Jerks (F-Tier): Forgettable
These don’t bring much to the table. They’re sloppy compared to barbell variations and feel more like filler than a meaningful test.
Movements That Didn’t Get Ranked
Thrusters
Thrusters didn’t get a tier, but they deserve a mention. They don’t earn “the greatest barbell movement of all time,” without the evidence to back it up. They test strength, endurance, and mental toughness in one brutal package.
Read more about thrusters in the CrossFit® Open.
Key Takeaways for Athletes
If you’re gearing up for the Open, focus on crushing the S and A-tier movements. These are the staples that pop up every year and make the biggest difference in your leaderboard placement.
But don’t sleep on the lower-tier movements—they’re sneaky and can be the difference between a solid workout and a total disaster.
The best Open workouts mix it up with movements from all tiers, testing different parts of your fitness while still being approachable for everyone in the community. Knowing where movements rank can help you as an athlete sharpen your training.
Movement standards and how they’re applied matter just as much as the movement itself. Even a top-tier movement can become a mess if it’s programmed badly or judged inconsistently.
CrossFit®’s always evolving, and these rankings could shift as new standards and variations come into play. What’s that sweet spot? Balancing accessibility with the ability to separate fitness levels.
So, keep this tier list in your back pocket, but remember—the best athletes can throw down across all categories. Fitness doesn’t care about tiers, and the Open will always find new ways to push you to your limits with creative, challenging combinations.
Everything You Need To Get Your Best Score Yet In The CrossFit® Open 2025:
- The Open Matters Again: New 2025 CrossFit® Season is Here
- When, What, and How: Sign Up for the CrossFit® Open 2025
- Everything You Need to Crush the CrossFit® Open 2025
- Our Predictions for the CrossFit® Open 2025
- Movements You Can Expect To See In The CrossFit® Open 2025
- I Ranked The Top Movements For The CrossFit® Open 2025
- Top 5 Movements to Master Before the CrossFit® Open 2025
- How to Prepare for the CrossFit® Open 2025?
- Does the CrossFit® Open 2025 Leaderboard Matter?
- Quick Links to the CrossFit® Open 2025 Workouts