Denver, United States | 13 March 2027
ATHX Denver 2027 takes place on 13 March at the National Western Complex in Denver, Colorado. It is the third ATHX event in the United States in the 2027 season, after San Diego and Las Vegas, with new workouts and updated movement standards compared with 2026.
Key event details
Venue:
National Western Complex, 5115 Race Court, Denver, Colorado, United States, 80216
Date:
13 March 2027. Heats run from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, and you pick yours when you enter.
How to get there
- By train: take the RTD N Line commuter rail to 48th & Brighton, National Western Station, which runs direct from Union Station.
- By bus: RTD bus route 48 stops near the station, and local routes 7 and 12 also serve the area.
- By car: there is on-site parking, but locations and fees vary by event.
- Accessibility: the venue is fully ADA accessible, with accessible entrances, seating, restrooms and designated parking across the campus.
- Airport: Denver International Airport is connected to Union Station by the RTD A Line train, which takes 37 minutes and runs every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day.
The ATHX format
2.5 hours of continuous competition across six zones: Warm-Up (30 min), Strength (20 min), Refuel (10 min), Endurance (30 min), Recovery (30 min) and MetCon X (30 min). The three workouts are the same at every event of the 2027 season, so you can train them well in advance.
This season's three workouts
- Strength (20 min): 1RM Shoulder to Overhead (minutes 0-5, press, push press, push jerk or split jerk), 2RM Back Squat (minutes 5-10) and 3RM Deadlift. For the deadlift you warm up from minute 10 to 12, then get two 1-minute windows to complete a 3RM, either as 3 continuous reps or 3 singles. The deadlift score is the average of your two lifts, and your final score is the sum of the three lifts. You can use the 15 kg or the 20 kg bar.
- Endurance (24-minute time cap): a set-distance run followed by maximum distance on the SkiErg until the cap. The run is 3 km in ATHX and Pro (10 laps of 300 m), and 2.4 km for Lite Pairs. Your score is the total distance you reach on the SkiErg.
- MetCon X (25-minute time cap): Row, dumbbell Ground to Overhead, dumbbell Bench Press, Sandbag Squats, Sandbag Carry, Burpees Over Soft Bench and a final Row. Your score is your finish time. In Lite, loads and reps are lower and you can step over the bench.
Categories and pricing
ATHX Denver offers three competition levels, ATHX Lite, ATHX and ATHX Pro, in Individual and Pairs format (male, female and mixed).
- Individual entry: $129
- Pairs entry: $239
The organization is also looking for volunteers on the day.
Get ready for Denver with Velites
First, check what gear is allowed. The official ATHX 2027 movement standards do not allow lifting straps, hand grips, grip tape or gloves of any kind during competition. Wrist wraps, a single pair of knee sleeves (not rolled), elbow sleeves, a weightlifting belt, weightlifting shoes and your own chalk are all allowed in the strength zone. Note that the weightlifting belt is not allowed during the Sandbag Squats.
For competition day:
- Knee sleeves, for the 2RM Back Squat and the Sandbag Squats, where you have to get below parallel on every rep.
- Wrist wraps, to keep your wrists stable on the 1RM Shoulder to Overhead and the Dumbbell Bench Press.
- Hybrid 1.0 and Minimal 1.0 shoes, built to move between running, strength and metcon without changing footwear.
For your training block: Quad Ultra hand grips help you build barbell and pulling volume without tearing up your hands. Use them in the box and leave them in your bag on event day.
Denver: more than just fitness
- Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre: the famous open-air venue set among red sandstone formations, a classic outing from the city.
- Denver Art Museum: one of the largest art museums in the Rocky Mountain region, an easy plan for the day after competing.
- Larimer Square: the historic downtown block of restaurants and shops, ideal for a relaxed evening.
Frequently asked questions
Where does ATHX Denver 2027 take place?
At the National Western Complex, 5115 Race Court, Denver, Colorado 80216. Check the information the organization sends to registered athletes to confirm the exact building within the complex.
How do I get from the airport to the venue?
From Denver International Airport, the RTD A Line train goes to Union Station in 37 minutes, with trains every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day. From Union Station, the RTD N Line runs direct to 48th & Brighton, National Western Station. Taxis and rideshare to downtown Denver take about 25 to 35 minutes, according to the airport.
Can I use hand grips or lifting straps during the competition?
No. The ATHX 2027 movement standards ban lifting straps in the strength zone, and hand grips, grip tape and gloves of any kind during competition. You can wear wrist wraps, one pair of knee sleeves, elbow sleeves, a weightlifting belt (except in the Sandbag Squats) and weightlifting shoes.
Are there more ATHX events in the United States in 2027?
Yes. ATHX San Diego takes place on 23 January at the San Diego Convention Center and ATHX Las Vegas on 6 February at the Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas. Later in the year, ATHX Nashville is on 14 August at The Fairgrounds Nashville, ATHX New York on 28 August at the Javits Convention Center, and ATHX Chicago on 11 September at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (Rosemont Convention Center).
What changes in the 2027 workouts compared with 2026?
Strength now has a 1RM Shoulder to Overhead, a 2RM Back Squat and a 3RM Deadlift, instead of the Strict Press, 3RM Back Squat and 5RM Deadlift. Endurance becomes a set-distance run followed by maximum SkiErg distance, instead of alternating running and rowing. MetCon X now uses Row, Bench Press, Sandbag Squats and Burpees Over Soft Bench. Gloves and grip tape are also now banned.
Conclusion: see you in Colorado
ATHX Denver 2027 brings the new season to the Rocky Mountain region with a fresh set of workouts. Train the three workouts, check what gear you can bring, and show up ready to compete.
See you in Denver!
