San Diego, United States | 23 January 2027
ATHX San Diego 2027 takes place on 23 January at the San Diego Convention Center, in downtown San Diego, California. It is one of the first events of the 2027 season, on the same day as the first day of ATHX London, and it comes with new workouts and updated movement standards compared with 2026.
Key event details
Venue:
San Diego Convention Center, 111 W Harbor Drive, San Diego, California, United States, 92101
Date:
23 January 2027. Heats run from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, and you pick yours when you enter.
How to get there
- Airport: San Diego International Airport is about three miles from the Convention Center, roughly 10-15 minutes by car or shuttle. Taxis are available at the airport transportation plaza.
- By car: the venue has a 1,950-vehicle underground garage below the building, entered from Harbor Drive. Payment is required on entry, and there are no in-and-out privileges, no overnight parking and no RV parking. Rates are set by the garage operator and change with activity at the venue. A 2,000-space structure next to the Hilton Bayfront, at Harbor Drive and Park Avenue, and other downtown lots are alternatives.
- By trolley: the MTS Trolley has two stops directly in front of the Convention Center.
- By train: Santa Fe Depot, served by Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and the NCTD COASTER, is reachable by trolley or a one-mile walk.
- By ferry: a ferry connects the Convention Center with Coronado, a 15-minute ride.
- Rideshare: Uber, Lyft and similar services operate throughout the area.
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 San Diego 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 San Diego 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.
San Diego: more than just fitness
- Balboa Park: the city's large cultural park, with gardens and museums, ideal for a relaxed recovery walk.
- Coronado: the island across the bay, with its beach and the historic Hotel del Coronado, reachable by ferry from the Convention Center.
- Gaslamp Quarter: downtown's historic district of restaurants and bars, an easy plan after competing.
Frequently asked questions
Where does ATHX San Diego 2027 take place?
At the San Diego Convention Center, 111 W Harbor Drive, San Diego, California 92101. Check the information the organization sends to registered athletes to confirm the exact hall within the venue.
How do I get from the airport to the venue?
San Diego International Airport is about three miles from the Convention Center, roughly 10-15 minutes by car or shuttle. Taxis are available at the airport transportation plaza, and rideshare services operate throughout the area.
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 Las Vegas takes place on 6 February at the Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas, ATHX Denver on 13 March at the National Western Complex, ATHX Nashville 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 California
ATHX San Diego 2027 opens the new season on the California coast 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 San Diego!
