ATHX 2026 Workouts: Everything You Need to Know
ATHX Games is back for 2026 and is shaking things up. Known as one of the most demanding fitness challenges in Europe, ATHX pushes athletes through a 2.5 hour gauntlet of strength, endurance and functional fitness. This year, the workouts have been refreshed with new lifts and conditioning tests designed to separate the good from the great.
As the official equipment partner of ATHX, BLK BOX powers every zone with elite-level kit. From rigs and barbells to sandbags and plyo boxes, athletes in London, Munich and Madrid will compete on nothing but the best.
The ATHX Format for 2026
The ATHX challenge remains divided into six zones, each testing a different aspect of fitness:
-
Warm Up Zone - 30 minutes
-
Strength Zone - 20 minutes
-
Refuel Zone - 10 minutes
-
Endurance Zone - 30 minutes
-
Recovery Zone - 30 minutes
-
Metcon X Zone - 25 minutes
This format has become the signature of ATHX, but the workouts inside those zones are where the changes come into play.
The 2026 Workouts
Strength Zone
-
0–6 min: 1RM Strict Press
-
6–12 min: 3RM Back Squat
-
12–18 min: 5RM Deadlift
Scoring: Total weight lifted (by pair in Teams, or by individual).
Competing athletes will need access to a solid lifting setup for training. A BLK BOX 1 Series Full Rack or 1 Series Squat Stand paired with the Belfast Bar and HD Bumper Plates is perfect for building raw strength under pressure.
Endurance Zone
-
Run and Row combination
-
22-minute time cap
-
Swapping between partners
-
Teams: one athlete runs while the other rows, swap after each run (500m Lite, 750m ATHX, 1k Pro)
-
Individuals: alternate run and row after each distance (750m ATHX, 1k Pro)
Scoring: Total distance covered
Athletes will take on a run before switching into rowing. Precision pacing is everything here. To replicate the challenge in training, consider integrating Concept2 Rowers.
Metcon X Zone
This is where the lungs burn and mental toughness counts.
-
60 cal Ski-Erg
-
60 Alt Ground-to-Overhead
-
60m Sandbag Carry
-
60 Box Jump Overs
-
60m Dumbbell Walking Lunges
-
60 Burpee Broad Jumps
-
60 cal Ski-Erg
Scoring: Time to complete
Weights and reps differ between Individual, Lite, and Pro categories, but the demand stays the same total body endurance and grit. Training with BLK BOX Strongman Sandbags and Plyo Boxes will help athletes prepare for the unpredictable nature of these movements.
Why These Changes Matter
The new format rewards well-rounded athletes who can lift heavy, move fast, and maintain composure when fatigue sets in. For gyms and coaches, it’s a chance to balance barbell work with endurance and functional carries.
Train Like You’ll Compete
As ATHX continues to grow, the partnership with BLK BOX ensures that competitors face the challenge using world-class equipment. If you want to replicate the event in your own facility, start with the essentials:
The Road Ahead
ATHX 2026 is more than just a competition. It is a test of strength, stamina and resilience that celebrates the relentless pursuit of better. BLK BOX is proud to be at the heart of the arena, supporting every athlete with world-class equipment.
Ready to take on the challenge? See the full ATHX workouts here and start building your arsenal with BLK BOX.
Better Starts Here. 2026 Starts Now.