STRENGTH Showdown
STRENGTH Showdown, a team fitness competition
Four people, one team, a crowd on every side. Bring your gym, your run club or your coworkers.
- 01 Teams of four
No more than two men per team.
- 02 Outdoors
A crowd on every side, in a city park or district.
- 03 For a cause
The prize pool is split between the winners, a charity and the community.
What it is
STRENGTH Showdown is our team fitness competition. Teams of four compete outdoors through fitness challenges, with people watching on every side. It's competitive, sure. But every team is there to represent a wellness community: a gym, a studio, a run club, a crew of friends.
That's the part we love. You aren't just a name on a scoreboard. You're carrying your community's name into it. Bring your people to cheer.
How a team is built
Four people per team. No more than two men on a team, so every team has at least two women on it. Beyond that it's up to you. Pick three people you trust to show up, and train together.
Where it has run
- Chicago, August 2026. Fulton Market.
- St. Louis, 2026. Forest Park, on turf, in front of a crowd.
The next dates aren't set yet. When they are, they'll be on our events calendar.
The prize pool
In 2026 the prize pool was $6,000, and it gets split three ways. $2,000 goes to the winning team. $2,000 goes to a charity the winners pick. And $2,000 goes back to the community the team represented. So even the win gets shared out.
Watching
You don't have to compete to come. Spectators are a big part of it. We describe it as an outdoor fitness competition with a crowd on every side, and that's what it is. Spectator tickets are listed with each event.
Getting ready
If your team is thinking about it, start training together a few weeks before, not alone. Most of the challenge is moving as a group. We put together a list of team fitness challenge ideas you can use to practice, or just to run at your own gym or office.
Looking for something more relaxed with a friend? Our breast cancer pickleball tournament uses doubles teams of two, and our fitness pop-ups and socials skip the scoreboard completely.
What to wear and bring
Dress like you're going to a hard outdoor class. Training shoes with grip, because you may be on turf or grass. Clothes you can move in without fixing them every two minutes. A full water bottle each. Matching shirts help your people find you in the crowd. Get there early enough to warm up together instead of meeting at the start line cold.
Why teams
Solo races are great, but you finish and go home. When you do something hard with three other people, you tend to keep talking to them after. That's the whole idea behind STRENGTH IN THE CITY. As Rita, one of our ambassadors, put it: "By connecting with instructors and other participants, I have been able to expand my network and discover many hidden gems in the city."
Questions people ask
How many people are on a team?
Four. No more than two men per team.
Do we have to be athletes?
No. Pick a team that fits you, and train together before the day.
Where does the prize money go?
In 2026 the $6,000 pool was split three ways: the winning team, a charity the winners pick, and the community the team represented.
When is the next Showdown?
New dates are not set yet. They go on our upcoming events calendar as soon as they are.
Can I just come and watch?
Yes. Spectators are part of it, and spectator tickets are listed with each event.