COLLEGE fitness league (16-18)

In the inaugural Fitness League, 32 colleges will come together to pioneer a new era in collegiate sports. For the first time, students will have the opportunity to choose fitness as their sport while at college. Through the formation of squads, rosters, and leaderboards, the league aims to cultivate a true sporting atmosphere for gym enthusiasts. Whether you excel in bench press, running, rowing, or deadlifting, there’s a place for you in both the squad and the league. Join us as we redefine what it means to compete and thrive in the world of fitness.

scoring, squads & rosters

Scoring

Scoring in the League will be facilitated by Archon’s unique algorithms, which consider factors such as height, weight, age, and sex assigned at birth. This innovative approach ensures a truly level playing field, allowing participants of all backgrounds and abilities to compete on equal footing.

Squads

Just like in traditional sports, squads will be formed with unlimited numbers of individuals who train at the gym, whether on campus or off and aspire to represent their college on a national level of competition. This gives purpose to training and fosters a sense of camaraderie and teamwork among participants.

Fixtures

The fixtures reflect the movements that members perform every day in the gym. This alignment enhances participation and engagement by making the competitions relevant and accessible to all members of the community.

Rosters

Each squad will have a designated captain who will select 10 participants for each fixture. These participants will compete in the designated movement, and their scores will contribute to their college’s league table.

Season

The inaugural season of the league will run from September 24th to April 25th. September marks the beginning of your journey as you form your squads, appoint squad captains, and commence training for the first fixtures. It’s a time of preparation, anticipation, and excitement as you gear up to compete in this groundbreaking league.

Fixtures

We’ve meticulously selected 8 fixtures that encompass a well-rounded approach to fitness, incorporating the key movements and exercises commonly practiced in the gym. Below, we’ve outlined all the fixtures in advance, so you know what to expect and when

All 32 colleges are registered and ready to go.

As you welcome new students, it’s the perfect opportunity to present the league as an enticing option for fitness enthusiasts.

During this time, start the creation of your squads by rallying interested individuals to join your team. It’s also the ideal moment to announce the appointment of your squad captain, a key leadership role that will guide your team to success throughout the season.

Additionally, don’t forget to give your squad a name if you haven’t already done so. This not only fosters a sense of identity and unity among team members but also adds an element of excitement and camaraderie to the competition.

Monday, November 4th – Rosters open for selection.

Sunday, November 10th – Rosters lock, and the movements for the fixture (1 Rep Max Bench Press and 100m Ski Erg) are released to all participants in the league.

Monday, November 11h to Sunday, November 24th – Participants have two weeks to complete their attempts at the fixture movements. All scored inputs from the roster places will contribute toward the league total during this period.

Monday, November 25th – Inputs are now locked, and scores are added up to reveal both the university and gym positions and the individual participants’ standings.

Monday, December 2nd – Rosters open for selection.

Sunday, December 8th – Rosters lock, and the movements for the fixture (3 Rep Max deadlift and 500m Row) are released to all participants in the league.

Monday, December 9th to Sunday, December 22nd – Participants have two weeks to complete their attempts at the fixture movements. All scored inputs from the roster places will contribute toward the league total during this period.

Monday, December 23rd – Inputs are now locked, and scores are added up to reveal both the university and gym positions and the individual participants’ standings.

Monday, January 6th – Rosters open for selection.

Sunday, January 12th – Rosters lock, and the movements for the fixture (1 Mile Run) are released to all participants in the league.

Monday, January 13th to Sunday, January 26th – Participants have two weeks to complete their attempts at the fixture movements. All scored inputs from the roster places will contribute toward the league total during this period.

Monday, January 27th – Inputs are now locked, and scores are added up to reveal both the university and gym positions and the individual participants’ standings.

Monday, February 3rd – Rosters open for selection.

Sunday, February 9th – Rosters lock, and the movements for the fixture (5 rep Max Squat and Bodyweight workout ) are released to all participants in the league.

Monday, February 10th to Sunday, February 23rd – Participants have two weeks to complete their attempts at the fixture movements. All scored inputs from the roster places will contribute toward the league total during this period.

Monday, February 24th – Inputs are now locked, and scores are added up to reveal both the university and gym positions and the individual participants’ standings.

Monday, March 3rd – Rosters open for selection.

Sunday, March 9th – Rosters lock, and the movements for the fixture (EMOM Push Press 10 Mins, 5 rep max format) are released to all participants in the league.

Monday, March 10th to Sunday, March 23rd – Participants have two weeks to complete their attempts at the fixture movements. All scored inputs from the roster places will contribute toward the league total during this period.

Monday, March 24th – Inputs are now locked, and scores are added up to reveal both the university and gym positions and the individual participants’ standings.

Get ready for the ultimate showdown at the GYMSHARK Lifting Club as 32 colleges battle it out in the finals:

CFL: Thursday, April 3rd

Each college will assemble a squad of 8 athletes who will compete across a series of movements from the season’s fixtures. In the finals, every member of the squad must complete their assigned movement within each round of the bracket. The competition progresses through various rounds, including the Round of 32, Sweet 16, Elite 8, Final 4, and ultimately, the Championship.

For instance, if your institution’s squad member specialises in bench press, they’ll need to complete 5 lifts, making recovery between rounds crucial. Similarly, squatters, deadlifters, rowers, runners, and other specialists will face the same challenge. It’s a true test to determine which institution boasts the strongest squad, leveraging the season to identify the best talent across campus.

The finals format promises an exhilarating display of athleticism and teamwork, showcasing the culmination of hard work and dedication throughout the CFL season.

 

As the off-season approaches, it’s time to pause, reflect, and strategise for the future. This period offers an invaluable opportunity to assess your performance, set new goals, and implement fresh plans for the upcoming season.

For those considering a change in leadership, now is the ideal time to identify and appoint a new squad captain. This crucial role requires strong leadership, communication skills, and a passion for fostering teamwork and camaraderie within the squad. Take this opportunity to evaluate potential candidates and select the individual who will guide your squad to success in the seasons to come.

Embrace the off-season as a time of growth, renewal, and preparation. Use it wisely to recharge, refine your strategies, and lay the groundwork for a successful campaign ahead. When the next season arrives, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running.

divisions

In line with the evolution of any competitive league, we aim to establish divisions to accommodate the diverse capabilities and aspirations of each league. The Division Principle ensures that partaking institutions can field multiple squads across different divisions, fostering inclusivity and maximising participation.

For instance, in the CFL, a powerhouse like Marlborough may dominate the Superleague Division but may not be represented in other divisions. This structure promotes a more participatory exercise, allowing other colleges ample opportunities for representation and success.

Furthermore, the introduction of divisions enables league participants to experience promotion and relegation dynamics, mirroring the competitive spirit of traditional sports leagues. This dynamic system encourages growth, fair competition, and continuous improvement across all levels of participation.

advisory board

Our exceptional advisory board guarantees the league’s success.  Their expertise and guidance create an ecosystem of best practices, benefitting participating institutions and individuals.

Matt Ford

Founder/CEO,
Archon

Andy Allford

Director of Sport,
University of Birmingham

Chris McIntosh

Operations Manager,
University of Edinburgh

Vince Mayne

Former CEO
BUCS

Dr. Paul Comfort

Professor in S&C,
University of Salford