What is ATHX?

ATHX is a functional fitness competition built around three key areas:

• Strength – getting stronger, moving well and seeing what you’re capable of.

• Endurance – developing your aerobic fitness, improving your engine and learning to sustain a high output.

• MetCon – combining strength and conditioning through circuits, AMRAPs, rounds-for-time, erg work, dumbbells and bodyweight movements.

  
  

The framework stays the same, but the tests evolve each year. This means we can programme intelligently throughout the year rather than simply training for the same workouts repeatedly.

2025 example – Strength

• Weighted Pull-Up – 3 Rep Max

• Squat – 5 Rep Max

• Overhead Press – 10 Rep Max

  
  

2026 example – Strength

• Overhead Press – 1 Rep Max

• Squat – 3 Rep Max

• Deadlift – 5 Rep Max

  
  

So, same fundamental qualities, but different tests. This allows us to build the strength you need without simply training for the exact same competition every year.

Why have we affiliated with ATHX?

We believe training should be about what your body can do, not just what it looks like.

Of course, people join gyms because they want to get fitter, stronger, leaner or more mobile. But we don’t think obsessing over scales, mirrors, calories and body fat is the most meaningful way for most people to measure progress.

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We’d rather focus on things like:

• Lifting something you couldn’t lift six months ago

• Running or rowing faster

• Completing a workout in less time

• Learning a new movement

• Pushing yourself outside your comfort zone

• Testing everything you’ve worked for

  
  

ATHX gives your training a purpose without making your appearance the purpose. It gives you something measurable to work towards and, if you want to, something to compete in.

If you’ve never competed before, we’d encourage you to speak to a coach. Putting yourself outside your comfort zone can be incredibly powerful for your confidence and self-esteem.

And if competition isn’t for you, that’s absolutely fine. You can still do ATHX classes simply to get stronger, fitter and better conditioned.

What are the ATHX classes?

You’ll now see ATHX classes throughout the diary. They’re deliberately different from our Strength classes.

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Each class includes:

1. Strength

One key compound lift, generally focused around:

• Squatting

• Hinging

• Pressing

• Pulling

  
  

These movements will benefit you in ATHX competition, but more importantly, they’ll make you stronger.

2. Accessories

Additional movements designed to give you a more complete, whole-body workout rather than simply repeating the main lift.

3. MetCon

The class finishes with a short conditioning piece.

This could be:

• Short and sprint-based

• Longer and more aerobic

• Focused on a particular energy system

• A circuit, AMRAP or rounds-for-time

  
  

The aim is to give you a high-intensity hit of conditioning without spending the entire session doing it.

That’s what makes ATHX a great option if you’re nervous about conditioning, or simply want to add more of it into your week.

You don’t need to spend an hour doing hard conditioning several times a week to get fitter. ATHX gives you a smart combination of strength, conditioning and athletic development.

The Move Well Coaching Team