Common Mistakes in the 2025 ATHX Games & How to Fix Them

Karim Djidel
Feb 11
3 min read

The ATHX Games continue to push athletes to their limits, testing strength, endurance, and efficiency in a high-stakes competition. However, after observing countless competitors at ATHX LDN 2025 season, I’ve noticed three major mistakes that cost athletes valuable points. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or preparing for your first ATHX Games, avoiding these mistakes can mean the difference between hitting your goals and walking away disappointed.

Let’s break them down.

1.Being Too Ambitious with Your Numbers in Strength Events

(Mistake: Going Too Heavy Too Soon & Missing a Score)

In the ATHX Games, you only have about two attempts to register a lift. That means your strategy should be to secure a score first before taking any risks. But many athletes get caught up in the hype, attempting personal bests (PBs) too soon, and end up with zero points when they fail both lifts.

Where This Happens Most? The Strict Press

Strict pressing demands shoulder and triceps endurance, and fatigue sets in fast. I’ve seen too many athletes miss both attempts simply because they started too heavy, and by the time they lowered the weight, their muscles were too fatigued to recover.

Fix It: Play Smart, Not Just Strong

✅ First attempt: Pick a safe, realistic number that you are 100% confident you can lift, even if it’s lower than what you think you can do. Secure the score.

✅ Second attempt: If you feel good, then go for a PB. If not, at least you have a number on the board.

💡 Pro Tip: Warm up properly, but avoid excessive pressing movements right before your attempts. You want fresh shoulders, not pre-fatigued ones.

2. Poor Pacing in the Endurance Event

(Mistake: Going Too Hard in the First 12 Minutes & Blowing Up Later)

The endurance event is a 24-minute grind, but too many athletes treat the first 12 minutes like a sprint, thinking they’ll “just hold on” for the second half. The result? Massive drop-offs in performance and a brutal second 12 minutes where they can barely move.

Why Does This Happen?

• Adrenaline + competition energy → Athletes start way too fast.

• Misunderstanding pacing → Many don’t realize how much 24 minutes will hurt if they burn out early.

• Lack of experience → Some competitors train shorter time domains and aren’t prepared for this type of sustained effort.

Fix It: Negative Split Strategy

✅ First 12 minutes: Hold back. Aim for a steady, sustainable effort that feels too easy at the start.

✅ Second 12 minutes: Pick up the pace. If you conserve energy early, you can attack the final stretch while others are struggling.

✅ Control breathing & heart rate. If you’re gasping for air in minute 8, you went too hard.

💡 Pro Tip: Train for progressive intensity. In training, practice starting conservatively and finishing stronger. This will feel unnatural at first, but it works every time.

3. Lack of Efficiency in the Metcon

(Mistake: Wasting Energy on Poor Movement Patterns & Transitions)

The Metcon event is where athletes lose the most time—not because they aren’t strong or fit, but because they aren’t efficient. Every wasted movement adds seconds to their total time and accelerates fatigue.

Common Efficiency Killers

❌ Bad pacing – Going all out in the first half, then hitting a wall.

❌ Sloppy technique – Inefficient reps take more energy and slow you down.

❌ Wasted transitions – Too much time setting up, fixing grips, or catching breath.

Fix It: Move Smarter, Not Just Harder

✅ Find a rhythm. Don’t rush into burnout—smooth, consistent reps win.

✅ Master efficiency. Break movements down and practice how to do them with the least effort possible.

✅ Use smart transitions. Move quickly between exercises, but don’t waste energy panicking or fixing form mid-set.

💡 Pro Tip: Record yourself in training and analyze where you lose time. Often, small tweaks (like grip changes or stance adjustments) make a huge difference.