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What is ATHX? 7 things to know before you enter

ATHX is a 2.5-hour hybrid fitness competition. One strength test, one engine test, one conditioning circuit. Here is what is published, and what is not.

By Susmit Jalan, coach at Online Fitness Worldwide.

ATHX is a hybrid fitness competition. Strength, endurance and conditioning, all tested in one 2.5-hour block.[1][9]

It started in the UK in 2023.[10] adidas is the headline partner, and CrossFit calls it an official CrossFit Partner Event Series.[9] Those are their relationships. They are not mine.

You do three timed workouts, with warm-up, refuel and recovery zones between them.[1] Every athlete gets the same conditions, and the three workouts stay fixed for a full season.[9]

Every fact below comes from ATHX's own pages or from coverage I name. Where something is not published, I say so.

Facts as published on 2 November 2026. Workouts, dates and rules change. Check the event page before you enter.

See also: HYROX vs DEKA vs ATHX: 7 differences that decide which to enter · HYROX training plan for beginners: 12 weeks, 7 rules that matter · DEKA guide: FIT, MILE and STRONG explained, zone by zone

ATHX explained: 7 things to know before you enter

  1. The format: six zones in 2.5 hours

    What it is
    A continuous 2.5-hour event in six zones: 30 minutes warm-up, 20 strength, 10 refuel, 30 endurance, 30 recovery, 30 MetCon X.[1][9]
    What you do
    You move through the zones with your heat. A judge counts every rep.[9] You can't leave the arena during the 2.5 hours, except for the toilet.[5]
    Good to know
    Arrive at least an hour before your heat. Your heat time is when you enter the warm-up zone, not the floor.[5]

  2. Workout 1: Strength (20 minutes)

    What it is
    A lifting test. 2026: strict press 1RM (minutes 0 to 6), back squat 3RM (6 to 12), deadlift 5RM (12 to 20). The score is the total weight lifted.[2]
    What you do
    The 2027 test changes: shoulder to overhead 1RM, back squat 2RM, deadlift 3RM. The score is the sum of the three.[3]
    Good to know
    In the strength workout, chalk, sleeves, belts, lifting shoes and wrist wraps are allowed. Straps, hand grips and knee wraps are not.[4] ATHX publishes the written movement standards for each lift.[4]

  3. Workout 2: Endurance (30-minute zone)

    What it is
    2026: a 22-minute mix of running and rowing. In the ATHX division, individuals swap every 750 m (1,000 m in PRO). The score is total distance.[2]
    What you do
    2027: a 24-minute cap. Run a set distance first, 3 km in ATHX and PRO and 2.4 km in LITE pairs. Then maximum distance on the SkiErg. The score is the SkiErg distance.[3]
    Good to know
    ATHX publishes both the 2026 and 2027 sets. Your event page says what applies to your date. Check it before you train.[2][3]

  4. Workout 3: MetCon X (25-minute cap)

    What it is
    A seven-station circuit for time. 2026, ATHX division, individual: SkiErg 45 calories (men) or 30 (women), 30 alternating single-arm dumbbell ground-to-overhead (20 or 12.5 kg), 30 m sandbag carry (50 or 30 kg), 30 box jump-overs (24 or 20 inches), 30 m dumbbell walking lunges (20 or 12.5 kg), 30 m burpee broad jumps, then the SkiErg again.[2]
    What you do
    2027, individual: RowErg 45 calories (men) or 35 (women), 30 dumbbell ground-to-overhead, 30 dumbbell bench press, 30 sandbag squats, 30 m sandbag carry, 30 burpees over a soft bench, RowErg again.[3]
    Good to know
    The score is your finish time. A rep that misses the standard doesn't count, so you repeat it.[4]

  5. Divisions: LITE, ATHX and PRO, solo or pairs

    What it is
    LITE is the entry level: lighter loads, simpler versions such as step-overs, and pairs only. ATHX is the core division, with full standards. PRO has the heaviest loads and the strictest standards.[1][9]
    What you do
    Enter solo (ATHX or PRO) or as a pair (LITE, ATHX or PRO). Pairs can be two men, two women or mixed.[1] There are age groups too: the 2026 Finals list individual groups from 35 to 39 up to 65+.[6]
    Good to know
    ATHX says pairs suits a first event or a training partner.[1]

  6. Scoring, the leaderboard and the World Finals

    What it is
    Same tests and standards at every event that season, so scores compare across events.[9] CrossFit's announcement says every athlete gets a fitness score out of 100, built from the workouts and the movements inside them.[9]
    What you do
    The 2026 Finals run 27 to 29 November 2026 in Lisbon. At each event the top 4 individuals in the ATHX and PRO divisions, for men and for women, are in line for a place.[6]
    Good to know
    Invited athletes have 7 days to accept and buy their entry. Then the place rolls down the leaderboard.[6]

  7. Where and when it runs

    What it is
    On 2 November 2026 the official page listed 36 upcoming events in 14 countries: the US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, Poland and Sweden. Next are Amsterdam and Los Angeles on 7 November, then the Finals in Lisbon on 27 to 29 November. 2027 starts with London on 23 and 24 January.[7]
    What you do
    Past events since 2023 were in the UK, then Europe and the US.[8] ATHX says it is building in China with adidas, starting with coach certification.[11] Chinese press reports first official events in Beijing and Shanghai in 2027.[12]
    Good to know
    The official list covers Europe and the US. On that page I found no listing in India, the Middle East or Asia-Pacific.[7]

Train for it with Online Fitness Worldwide

Curious about ATHX, or another hybrid race? I coach the strength and conditioning side, live.

Online Fitness Worldwide is not affiliated with ATHX, adidas or CrossFit and is not endorsed by them. This is independent coaching.

Iron Hour is 60 minutes, 1:1, live. Set-up at minute 0: camera placed so I can see your whole body. Warm-up from minute 4. The primary lift at 14. Accessories at 28. Cool-down at 50.

Lean Reset is 20 sessions a month, 1:1. Open Floor is a small group.

Coming back after a long break? Return is 45 minutes, 12 alternate-day sessions a month. We build the base first.

Coached live on Google Meet, Zoom or FaceTime. In Hindi or English. On IST. Not sure yet? Start with a 30-minute consultation. It is a conversation, not training. Booking holds a time. The fee is agreed directly.

See the programsAsk on WhatsApp (opens in a new tab)

What is not published, and what I won't claim

Entry fees change by event. They are on each event page. I don't quote them.[5]

Dates for 2027 outside the listed countries: not published.[7]

Size: TheProgrm reports nearly 6,000 athletes across the six competitions of the 2025 season.[10] I have no figure I can check for 2026.

Ordinary events: you register, pick a heat time and turn up.[5] I found no qualifying standard to enter.

No client results here, and none implied. This is an explainer, not a promise.

A sample session to feel the shape of ATHX

Sample only. Not a prescription. Adjust it to your body, your health and your history.

  • Warm-up, 10 minutes: easy row, hips, shoulders, a few light squats.
  • Lift: build to one hard but clean set of 5 on a back squat. Stop with reps left. No max today.
  • Rest 5 minutes. Walk. Drink.
  • Engine: 10 minutes, alternate 250 m run and 250 m row. Steady.
  • Rest 5 minutes.
  • Circuit: 3 rounds of 10 dumbbell ground-to-overhead, 10 step-overs, a 20 m carry, 5 burpees. Move steadily.
  • Stop any block when form breaks. This is a taste of the order, not a test.

Before you start

General information, not medical advice. ACSM's screening model says: if you are inactive, have no symptoms and no known heart, metabolic or kidney disease, you can start light to moderate exercise without medical clearance and build up gradually. If you have one of those conditions, or symptoms such as chest pain, unusual breathlessness or dizziness, get medical clearance first.[13] Race-style work is hard: heavy lifts, jumps, burpees, sprints and carries. Build up to it over weeks. Don't test a maximum lift alone or without a spotter or a coach watching. Entering any race? Read that event's own rules. Have a heart, blood-pressure or joint condition? Ask your doctor first.

ASCA Level 1 (strength and conditioning) and ACE (anatomy and biomechanics). These are credentials held by the coach. Neither body endorses this business or this article.

Sources

  1. [1] ATHX Games. How It Works (format, zones, categories, solo and pairs, race-day timeline). Official site; accessed 2 Nov 2026. https://athxgames.com/how-it-works (opens in a new tab)
  2. [2] ATHX Games. 2026 Workouts (Strength, Endurance, MetCon X; individual and pairs). Official site; accessed 2 Nov 2026. https://athxgames.com/workouts/2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. [3] ATHX Games. 2027 Workouts. Official site; accessed 2 Nov 2026. https://athxgames.com/workouts/2027 (opens in a new tab)
  4. [4] ATHX Games. 2026 Movement Standards. Official site; accessed 2 Nov 2026. https://athxgames.com/movement-standards/2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. [5] ATHX Games. FAQs (what ATHX is, pairs, rest periods, allowed equipment). Official site; accessed 2 Nov 2026. https://athxgames.com/faqs (opens in a new tab)
  6. [6] ATHX Games. ATHX 2026 Finals Qualification (Finals 27–29 Nov 2026, Lisbon; qualification and age groups). Official site; accessed 2 Nov 2026. https://athxgames.com/finals-qualification/2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. [7] ATHX Games. Upcoming Events (36 events listed on 2 Nov 2026). Official site; accessed 2 Nov 2026. https://athxgames.com/events (opens in a new tab)
  8. [8] ATHX Games. Past Events (2023 to 2026). Official site; accessed 2 Nov 2026. https://athxgames.com/past-events (opens in a new tab)
  9. [9] CrossFit Games. ATHX Games: An Official CrossFit Partner Event Series. 17 Sep 2026. https://games.crossfit.com/article/athx-games-an-official-crossfit-partner-event-series (opens in a new tab)
  10. [10] Beers E. What Is the ATHX Games? The Hybrid Fitness Competition You Need to Know. TheProgrm; 8 Apr 2026. https://www.theprogrm.com/blog/what-is-athx (opens in a new tab)
  11. [11] ATHX Games. "ATHX is expanding into new territory…" (China coaching certification with adidas). LinkedIn; 28 Aug 2026. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/athx-games_athx-athxgames-athx2027-activity-7499168967526170624-jYoR (opens in a new tab)
  12. [12] 阿迪达斯携手ATHX落子中国，赛事将于明年落地北京、上海 (adidas and ATHX enter China; events planned in Beijing and Shanghai in 2027). 体育产业独立评论 via 163.com; 4 Aug 2026. https://www.163.com/dy/article/L3G1ITBD0529AL0N.html (opens in a new tab)
  13. [13] Riebe D, Franklin BA, Thompson PD, et al. Updating ACSM's recommendations for exercise preparticipation health screening. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2015;47(11):2473–2479. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000000664 (opens in a new tab)