A new trend is sweeping through the fitness community, with enthusiasts increasingly travelling to participate in functional fitness competitions.
These events offer a chance to push both mental and physical boundaries, with the REDLINE Fitness Games emerging as Malaysia’s premier event in this burgeoning scene.
As a notable fitness race for gym-goers and fitness enthusiasts, the fitness event was launched in 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and has quickly gained popularity in the local fitness community, with plans for regional expansion across Southeast Asia this year and beyond.
The highly prestigious competition, held over two days, attracted numerous participants, including a notable contingent from Brunei, mixing with an international field.
Drawing inspiration from globally recognised events like HYROX, the fitness event features 12 unique workout stations, each presenting its own set of challenges focused on various muscle groups.
Catering to participants of all fitness levels, each routine tests a combination of cardio, strength, endurance, power, balance, agility, and coordination.
Set against the backdrop of an expansive exhibition hall, the event owes its vision to founder Callum Meehan, a regular podium finisher in Spartan events. Now in its second year, the fitness event saw around 3,000 participants register across various categories.
These included the men’s and women’s singles competitive, team mixed relay, team men’s relay, team women’s relay, women’s doubles, men’s doubles, mixed doubles, men’s and women’s open, and singles beginners.
Each category adjusts the weights, repetitions, and distances required for routines like the farmer’s carry and mule. Advanced categories demand heavier weights and more repetitions, while the open categories feature lighter weights and fewer repetitions.
Before the event kicks off, competitors receive a wave time, indicating their start time. As anticipation builds, participants gather under the red-themed arch, ready to begin their race.
Referred to as Redliners by the organisers, participants receive a briefing from the head judge just minutes before their start. Once the vital information is read out, months of training come down to the moment of truth.
The first workout is a 500-metre (m) run through a series of straights and corners, followed by a set number of calories on the rowing machine. Each participant aims to complete the rowing with the fastest time to gain an advantage.
Next, they face 20 repetitions of dead ball burpees, a gruelling routine involving a full burpee followed by throwing a dead ball over a bar set at a specific height.
This is followed by the pendulum shot, combining balance, coordination, strength, and agility.
Participants squat on a Bosu ball – a semi-circular bouncy ball – and throw a wall ball onto a wall sideways.
Cardiovascular endurance is further tested on the bike equipment, focusing on lower body strength. Participants then perform squats and lunges while carrying a sandbag on their shoulders before moving to the battle rope whips station.
The farmer’s carry requires competitors to carry heavy dumbbells, locking their muscles to reach the end of the line. Agility is then tested in the agility chamber, where participants tap lighted cones 40 times before tackling the SkiErg.
After mastering the SkiErg, participants face the ule, where they carry two different weights while performing shuttle runs. Finally, they must push and pull a sled back and forth twice, focusing on power and functional strength.
As the gruelling race reaches its climax, participants cross the finish line, earning a uniquely decorated medal in the form of a mini kettlebell, identical to the REDLINE logo.
The fitness event not only tests physical prowess but also fosters a sense of community among fitness enthusiasts. The competition’s blend of rigorous challenges and supportive atmosphere makes it a standout event in the functional fitness landscape.
With each passing year, the fitness event continues to grow in popularity, drawing participants eager to test their limits and celebrate their achievements. The event’s success underscores the growing trend of functional fitness competitions, providing a platform for individuals to showcase their strength, endurance, and resilience. – Fadhil Yunus
