Rich Froning, one of the most accomplished athletes in CrossFit history, made a quiet but impressive return to the 2025 CrossFit Open where he finished 80th. Now 37 years old and years removed from individual competition, Froning demonstrated that age and retirement haven’t diminished his fitness or competitive mindset.
Known for winning four consecutive CrossFit Games titles from 2011 to 2014, Froning has remained active in the sport through team competition, coaching, and running CrossFit Mayhem in Cookeville, Tennessee. This year, he stepped back onto the individual stage for the Open—and delivered performances that placed him among the top tier of athletes in his division and beyond.
His participation wasn’t about a comeback or reclaiming a title. It was a personal challenge—and the results showed he remains one of the most capable and consistent athletes in the CrossFit space.
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A Closer Look at His 2025 Open Performance
The CrossFit Open is a global, three-week test of general physical preparedness. For Froning, it was another opportunity to measure himself against the current field of competitors—many of whom are decades younger and training full-time for the season ahead.
Workout 25.1
15-minute AMRAP:
- 3 lateral burpees over the dumbbell
- 3 dumbbell hang clean-to-overheads
- 30-ft walking lunge
Each round adds 3 reps to the burpees and dumbbell movements
Froning’s score: 310 reps
This workout tested pacing, coordination, and muscular endurance. Froning’s 310-rep score placed him well above the average and within the top 10% of competitors overall. His consistent movement and control reflected years of experience with pacing longer AMRAPs.
Workout 25.2
For time (12-minute cap):
- 21 pull-ups
- 42 double-unders
- 21 thrusters
- 18 chest-to-bar pull-ups
- 36 double-unders
- 18 thrusters
- 15 bar muscle-ups
- 30 double-unders
- 15 thrusters
Froning’s time: 5:18
This fast-paced chipper required a blend of gymnastics skill, cardiovascular efficiency, and barbell capacity. Froning completed the workout in just over five minutes, which kept him competitive with many of the sport’s younger elite athletes. His transitions remained tight, and his thruster sets were unbroken, highlighting his continued capacity for high-volume conditioning efforts.
Workout 25.3
For time (20-minute cap):
- 5 wall walks
- 50-calorie row
- 5 wall walks
- 25 deadlifts
- 5 wall walks
- 25 cleans
- 5 wall walks
- 25 snatches
- 5 wall walks
- 50-calorie row
Froning’s time: 11:36
Workout 25.3 combined multiple movement patterns across barbell cycling, rowing, and gymnastics. The wall walks and snatches challenged shoulder stamina, while the rowing demanded engine capacity. Froning’s 11:36 finish placed him ahead of several high-level athletes and demonstrated efficient barbell cycling and solid conditioning.
How His Results Compare
Froning’s times and scores were not only competitive in his age division but also stacked up well in the overall standings. In several events, his results outperformed current regional-level competitors and athletes preparing for the 2025 season. His performances were particularly notable given that he no longer trains specifically for individual competition and hasn’t appeared in an Open in years.
His ability to execute at a high level without peaking for the event reflects a long-standing training base and deep understanding of strategy and pacing. While not contending for a podium spot, his Open results reaffirmed his position as one of the most consistent and durable athletes in the history of the sport.
Maintaining Competitive Capacity with Age
At 37, Froning continues to train at a level that would challenge many younger competitors. His Open results suggest that his conditioning, movement efficiency, and mental focus remain sharp.
For context, many athletes in the men’s 35–39 age division see a noticeable drop in intensity or performance as they step away from regular competition. Froning appears to have avoided that drop-off.
A key factor in his sustained capacity is likely his daily training environment. As the owner and lead programmer at CrossFit Mayhem, Froning remains immersed in high-level training.
He frequently works out with athletes training for the Games, giving him exposure to the volume and intensity still required at the sport’s top level.
A Continued Presence in the CrossFit World
Froning hasn’t competed as an individual at the CrossFit Games since 2014, but his presence in the sport has remained steady.
After his shift to team competition, he led CrossFit Mayhem Freedom to multiple team championships and helped grow the Mayhem brand into one of the most influential names in CrossFit programming.
CrossFit Mayhem now serves as a global training destination. Athletes from around the world follow Mayhem programming, attend training camps in Cookeville, and benefit from the same approach that fueled Froning’s own career.
His influence now extends across coaching, athlete development, and broader fitness education.
What’s Next for Froning?
While Froning hasn’t announced any return to formal competition, his 2025 Open performance shows that he remains capable of entering the field at a high level. Whether he chooses to pursue more individual events, team competitions, or functional fitness formats like HYROX remains to be seen.
What’s clear is that Froning remains fully engaged in the world of fitness—both as a coach and as an athlete. His Open participation in 2025 reflects a commitment to personal standards and a willingness to test himself, regardless of expectations.
A Legacy That Continues to Evolve
Rich Froning doesn’t need to prove anything at this stage in his career. His legacy as one of the most dominant CrossFit athletes of all time is already secure. But his 2025 Open results show that he’s still performing at a level that commands respect—not for headlines or trophies, but for what it says about longevity, discipline, and consistency.
In a sport where careers are often short, Froning offers an example of what it looks like to sustain performance over the long term. And while he may no longer be chasing Games podiums, his influence—both on and off the floor—isn’t going anywhere.
His 2025 Open scores won’t redefine the sport. But they do remind us that with the right foundation, performance doesn’t have to fade with time.
