This Year's Monster Games Was Epic — Here's Everything You Missed

This year’s 1st Phorm Monster Games was a showcase of what modern fitness has become — raw, inclusive, and relentlessly demanding. Over 900 competitors in 28 divisions brought the heat (although, it could be argued the humidity and 94-degree temps were also at play) over three days of competition from July 25-27 in Overland Park, Kansas.

Previously held in Joplin, Missouri, this year the event relocated to the Overland Park Convention Center. "The amount of Kansas City-area gyms that sent us volunteers and helped us put the comp on was overwhelming," said founder and event director Jason Ansley. "They were very excited for us to bring the comp to Kansas."

Built to Test Athletes

REP Fitness tapped in as the equipment-sponsor this year to power the competition floor and gear lineup, utilizing the Colorado™ bar, black bumper plates, farmer's walk handles, hex dumbbells, plyo boxes, and more.

Credit: Holly Gneck

"REP came and saw how the event went last year then they said, 'hey, we want to support you and how you're going to test these athletes," said Ansley. "They figured out a way to make whatever I wanted happen."

In an effort to give athletes the best experience possible, workouts were released four days ahead of the Games via the Competition Corner website, giving competitors time to mentally and physically prepare. To avoid congestion on the floor, heats were capped at 18 to 20 athletes, with eight-minute gaps between start times.

"Monster Games was always designed to serve the athlete," Ansley said, describing the unique experience crafted for competitors. One of many events programmed to push athletes to their limit was a rope climb out of a pool. Yeah — unique experience indeed!

And that didn't go unnoticed. "The comp was absolutely amazing. I prepped with lots of ruck runs and heavy lifting," said Laura Haley Philhower, a competitor in the Masters Women 40-44 division. "The women I met were so strong and inspiring! I can't wait to work on my weaknesses and come back better next year."

However, some competitors weren't prepared for the Kansas summer, or as Ansley mentioned with a laugh, "Athletes from Northern states were... surprised." During the "Project 1" event where competitors ran outside on turf, the heat and humidity made conditions an additional challenge.

1st Phorm Monster Games Leaderboard

In the elite women's division, Katelynn Sanders, representing Beloit Barbell out of Wisconsin and a returning champion from last year's games, took 1st overall, clawing her way back from an 18th place finish in the first event to two event wins and six top-five finishes, which secured her victory. Morgan Porter finished second and Emma Harvang took third.

Max Krieg, with the US Army Warrior Fitness Team, took first overall in the elite men's division, with three event wins — one on each day of competition — and six top-five finishes. Noah Wilson finished second and Travis Wolfe took third.

The following are the top finishers in each category:

1st Phorm Events: Individual Workout

If you're curious about trying your hand at recreating the Monster Games workouts in your own home gym, take a peek at the three-day lineup of events below. For more details on each event — from weights used in each division to movement standards — or to check out the team events, head over to the Competition Corner website.

Event 1: Swim/Climb

For time — 8-minute CAP:

• 50 m Swim
• 4/3 Rope Climbs
• 100m Swim
• 3/2 Rope Climbs
• 100m Swim
• 2/1 Rope Climbs
• 50m Swim

Event 2: Project 1

For time:

• 1k Ruck Run – 45/30
• 100m Sled Drag
• 1k Run
• 1000m/800m Ski Erg
• 1k Run
• 100m Sandbag Lunge – 70/50
• 1k Run

Event 3: Country Strong

3 rounds — 12-minute CAP:

• 25 T2B
• 50’ Farmer’s Carry
• 25 CTB
• 50’ Farmers Carry

Event 4: Heppner

Every 5:00 for 15:00 (no rest):

• 30/24 Cal Row
• 40/32 Cal Bike Erg
• Max Burpee Box Jump Overs – 20”

Score: Total Burpees

*Minimum Work Requirement: Complete Bike Erg Cals each round.

Event 5: Ravine

For time: 6-minute CAP:

• 20/15 – 15/10 – 20/15 Echo Bike Cals
• 10-5-10 Thrusters

Event 6: Mission Impossible

4 rounds for time: 6-minute CAP:

• 6/4 MU’s
• 3 Squat Cleans

Event 7: Mission Impossible (Con't)

A 2:00 transition from event 6 to 7.

For time: 6-minute CAP:

• 21 DBL DB Hang 2 OH
• 100’ Handstand Walk
• 15 DBL DB STOH - ^DB Load
• 100’ Handstand Walk
• 9 DBL DB Squats ^ DB Load

Looking Ahead

While the water workout was considered by Ansley to be the most taxing, it was reserved for elite athletes due to time constraints. That could change in 2026. "We'll be back on the field," said Ansley, "and we'd like to see how we can expand to allow for more athletes to compete in the pool." 

Credit: Holly Gneck

If you're interested in tossing your hat into the ring — or the track, pool, or whatever arena the devious minds behind the 1st Phorm Monster Games dream up next — check out the Monster Games website for updates on schedule, qualifiers, age and team requirements, how to sign-up, and more.

Rosie Borchert is NASM-CPT, former Nike Volleyball coach, and fitness writer whose work has appeared on BarBend and Tonal. If anyone would like to hire her to play beach volleyball, snowboard, binge watch TV, or go climbing, please get in touch.

This article was reviewed by Ashley Boyer, ACE-CPT, for accuracy.