Rules for The Soorma Arena
1. Overview
The Soorma Arena is a fitness competition that challenges athletes with multiple functional workout zones completed back-to-back, pushing their strength, stamina, and endurance. Conceptualized as a test of overall fitness and willpower, The Soorma Arena pushes each participant both physically and mentally. Those who overcome all challenges earn the title of “Soorma” – a true warrior.
In The Soorma Arena, participants must complete six consecutive workout zones in the prescribed order. All exercises must be done in sequence without skipping. A valid finishing time is recorded only if the participant finishes every zone in order.
The fastest completion times determine the rankings for each category. Results are sorted from fastest to slowest. Participants must be 16 years of age or older on the day of the event to compete.
2. Technical Rules
Categories & Ranking
a. Categories: There are five divisions in The Soorma Arena:
- Male Open (Individual)
- Male Doubles
- Female Open (Individual)
- Female Doubles
- Mixed Doubles
b. Ranking System: Results are sorted from the fastest to the slowest finishing times in each category. Official results will be published on the event’s website or communicated to participants within 48 hours after the competition. Penalties or disqualifications may be applied for any failure to complete required segments, deviations from required repetitions, failure to meet movement standards, or other forms of non-compliance with the rules. Management reserves the right to change or add penalties at its discretion.
Competition Format
a. Workout Station Rules & Regulations:
- All six workout zones must be completed in the prescribed order. Skipping or completing zones out of sequence will result in a 5-minute time penalty for the first infraction, and disqualification if repeated more than once (see Penalties).
- Each exercise must be completed according to the specified movement standards and within the marked start and finish boundaries for that zone.
- Participants must complete the required number of repetitions or the full required distance in each zone before moving on.
- All exercises must be performed with the prescribed weight or equipment for the participant’s category.
- Wearing appropriate athletic footwear is mandatory throughout the competition.
b. Station Judges & Zone Referees: Each zone will have a Station Judge responsible for ensuring that all participants perform the workout correctly and safely. Station Judges work in coordination with Zone Referees, who oversee the entire zone. Assignment of athletes to equipment or lanes at a workout station will be managed by the officials. The decisions of the Zone Referee and Race Director in any dispute are final.
c. Qualification to the Final Round: The Final Round (championship event) is only for the Men's and Women's individual (Open) categories. At the conclusion of all regional or qualifying rounds, the top 100 male and top 25 female competitors on the overall leaderboard will be invited to compete in the Final Round. All Doubles categories (Male, Female, Mixed) conclude at the regional level; winners of each regional event receive their prizes at the end of that event. For the Final Round, the organizers reserve the right to change any two zones and replace them with new “mystery” challenges, which will be revealed only on the day of the finals.
d. Hydration Station: A designated hydration station with water (and basic electrolytes) will be available on the course. Each participant is responsible for staying hydrated during the event. If a participant needs hydration or medical aid away from the official station, they must move themselves to that station. If a participant cannot continue without external assistance, they will be deemed medically unfit to continue and marked as DNF (Did Not Finish).
Zones Brief (Zones 1–6)
Any execution of a movement that violates the prescribed standards, or any unusual technique used to gain an unfair time advantage, will not be accepted. Such actions may result in an invalid repetition (“no rep”) or a time penalty, depending on the workout zone. Assignment to specific equipment or lanes in each zone will be directed by the Zone Referees and their team on the day of the event.
Zone 1: Box Jumps
· The athlete must start facing the box on the designated side.
· Both feet must leave the ground at the same time (no staggered take-offs) when jumping.
· The athlete must jump onto the box and land with both feet simultaneously on the top surface.
· The athlete must reach a full standing position on the box (hips and knees fully extended) before jumping or stepping down.
· The athlete may jump down or step down off the box, but both feet must return to the ground before the next repetition.
· Hands may not be used to push off the legs or the box to assist the jump.
· Each successful jump meeting the above standards counts as one repetition. If the athlete fails any requirement, that repetition does not count (no rep).
· In Doubles, partners may switch who performs the box jumps at any time, but only one person may jump at a time. The partner not performing the jumps must remain in the designated area and not interfere.
· Failure to complete the required number of box jump repetitions will result in a DNF (Did Not Finish).
Zone Requirement: 50 Box Jumps. Box height – 60 cm
Zone 2: Spider Crawl
· The athlete begins the crawl behind the start line, on hands and feet (face down toward the ground).
· During the crawl, the athlete’s hands and feet are the only points of contact with the ground (no knees or elbows touching).
· The athlete must crawl forward in the designated lane, keeping the body low as if moving under a low obstacle.
· Standing up or moving on two feet is not allowed until the entire zone distance is completed (except in an emergency or to withdraw).
· The zone is complete when the athlete’s entire body crosses the finish line in the crawling position.
· In Doubles, partners may switch who is crawling as needed. Only one partner may crawl at a time; the other partner must remain behind in the same lane. Leaving the lane or interfering with another team will incur a time penalty.
· Failure to complete the full crawling distance will result in a DNF.
Zone Requirement: ~75 m crawl distance.
Zone 3: Tyre Flipping Walk
· The athlete begins behind the start line with the tyre lying flat on the ground.
· The athlete flips the tire end-over-end, moving it down the lane. The tyre must completely cross each designated turn-around line (if applicable) before the athlete changes direction.
· The workout is finished when the tyre has been flipped the entire required distance and completely crosses the final finish line.
· If the athlete fails to flip the tyre all the way past a turn line before changing direction, a 5-minute time penalty will be added.
· In Doubles, partners may switch who flips the tyre as needed. Only one partner may work at a time; the other must stay behind the tyre in the same lane.
· Leaving the designated lane or having the non-working partner interfere may result in a 5-minute penalty at the discretion of the Zone Referee.
· Failure to complete the required distance (not moving the tire across the finish line) will result in a DNF.
Zone Requirement: ~100 m total distance of tyre flips.
Zone 4: Weighted Lunges Walk
· The lunge walk begins with the athlete lifting the sandbag (or assigned weight) from the ground without assistance and placing it across the shoulders.
· The athlete must start with both feet behind the start line, standing tall, before beginning the first lunge.
· The athlete must perform alternating forward lunges. In each lunge, the trailing knee must touch the ground, and the athlete must then stand up fully (hips and knees extended) before the next lunge.
· The athlete is not allowed to shuffle or run with the weight; only proper lunge steps count. No extra steps in between lunges may be taken except to stop and regain balance.
· The zone is complete when the athlete lunges across the finish line and returns the sandbag to the designated area at the end.
· The athlete may set the sandbag down only in designated rest areas (for example, at turn-around points). Setting down or dropping the sandbag in the middle of the lane, or switching carriers outside a designated swap zone, will incur a penalty.
· In Doubles, only one partner may carry the sandbag and lunge at a time. Partners may switch who carries the sandbag only at designated swap zones (e.g., at turn-around markers). The partner not lunging must stay behind in the same lane.
· Switching the sandbag between partners outside of a designated swap zone will lead to disqualification of the team. If the non-working partner leaves the lane or moves ahead of the working partner, a 5-minute penalty may be applied.
· Failure to complete the full lunge distance (not reaching the finish line with the sandbag) will result in a DNF.
Zone Requirement: ~150 m lunge walk with weight.
Zone 5: Burpee Broad Jump
· The athlete begins behind the start line. Each repetition consists of a burpee followed immediately by a broad jump forward.
· For the burpee, the athlete must drop to the ground so that their chest and thighs touch the floor at the bottom. The athlete then rises and jumps forward explosively with a two-foot takeoff (broad jump).
· The athlete must land the broad jump on both feet. They may then begin the next burpee from that landing spot.
· Small shuffling steps to regain balance after landing are allowed, but taking steps or running forward instead of jumping is not allowed.
· The athlete continues performing burpee broad jumps in sequence until the required distance is covered and the finish line is crossed. The entire body must cross the finish line on the final broad jump to complete the zone.
· If the athlete fails to touch their chest to the ground, does not use a two-foot takeoff, or otherwise fails to meet the movement standards on a repetition, that rep does not count and must be redone properly.
· In Doubles, partners may divide the burpee broad jumps between them, but only one partner may perform the movement at a time. The other partner must remain behind in the lane.
· Leaving the lane or receiving outside assistance (e.g., pulling or pushing by a partner) is not allowed and may result in a 5-minute penalty.
· Failure to cover the entire distance with burpee broad jumps will result in a DNF.
Zone Requirement: ~75 m burpee broad jump distance
Zone 6: Farmer’s Carry
· The farmer’s carry begins with the athlete lifting the two weights (one in each hand) from the ground at the start line.
· The athlete must carry one weight in each hand, arms fully extended at the sides, while walking forward down the lane.
· The weights must be carried and not dragged or rested on any other part of the body.
· The athlete may set the weights down to rest if needed, but may not throw or slide them forward for advantage.
· The zone is complete when the athlete carries both weights across the finish line and places them in the designated area at the end.
· If an athlete improperly advances the weights (for example, by throwing or sliding them) or fails to carry them fully across a turn-around or finish line, a 5-minute penalty will be added.
· In Doubles, only one partner may carry the weights at a time. Partners may switch at designated swap points (such as turn-around markers) only. The partner not carrying must follow behind in the same lane.
· Switching carriers outside of a designated zone will result in team disqualification. If the non-carrying partner leaves the lane or moves ahead of the carrier, a 5-minute penalty may be applied.
· Failure to complete the full carry distance (not transporting both weights to the finish) will result in a DNF.
Zone Requirement: ~200 m farmer’s carry.
Penalties
· Missed Workout/Zone: Skipping an entire workout zone (failing to attempt a zone) will result in disqualification and no finish time recorded.
· Wrong Zone Order: All zones must be completed in the correct order. Completing a zone out of the prescribed order will result in a 5-minute time penalty. If more than one workout is performed out of order, the participant/team will be disqualified. (Once an athlete has entered the final zone, they may not go back to perform a missed zone.)
· Distance/Time Infractions: Specific infractions in each zone carry standardized penalties as outlined below:
· Zone 1 (Box Jumps) – No Rep (invalid reps must be redone; no additional time penalty)
· Zone 2 (Spider Crawl) – 5 minutes (added to final time for improper crawling or not meeting standards)
· Zone 3 (Tyre Flipping Walk) – 5 minutes
· Zone 4 (Weighted Lunges Walk) – 5 minutes
· Zone 5 (Burpee Broad Jump) – No Rep (invalid reps must be redone; no direct time penalty)
Zone 6 (Farmer’s Carry) – 5 minutes
Did Not Finish (DNF): If a participant (or team) fails to finish any workout zone or leaves the course, they will not receive an official finishing time and will be marked as DNF.
· Disqualification (DQ): If a participant is disqualified by a Zone Referee or Race Director (for rule violations or misconduct), they will be removed from the competition and will not appear in the results or rankings.
· Deviating from Standards: Any movement that does not meet the required standards, or any technique that provides an unfair advantage (such as cutting reps or distance), will result in the repetition not counting (no rep) or a time penalty, depending on the zone’s rules.
3. Non-Technical Conduct
Participants must wear appropriate attire and gear for the competition, considering the physical activities, weather conditions, and any local cultural norms.
Allowed Items:
- Knee sleeves
- Gloves
- Weightlifting belt
- Wristbands
- Hydration packs
Prohibited Items:
- Lifting straps or wrist straps
- Headphones or earphones
- Cell phones (during the race)
- VR headsets or any distracting wearables
Poor Sportsmanship: Any form of bad sportsmanship, intimidation, harassment, or abusive behavior toward volunteers, staff, spectators, or other participants will not be tolerated. Such behavior may result in immediate disqualification and removal from the venue.
General Conduct: Littering, spitting, or causing damage to the venue or equipment is strictly prohibited. Participants must respect the venue, equipment, and all individuals present. Violations can lead to disqualification and removal from the event.
Hydration & Nutrition: Water will be provided at official stations on the course. Participants should carry any personal nutrition (energy gels, etc.) from the start if needed, as outside assistance is not allowed. Accepting food, drinks, or any aid from spectators or anyone other than event staff is considered outside help and may result in penalties or disqualification. Additionally, participants are not permitted to take water bottles or drinks into the workout zones (beyond the designated hydration areas).
4. Code of Conduct
By registering for The Soorma Arena, each participant agrees to compete honorably and fairly. Any form of cheating, deception, or rule manipulation is strictly forbidden.
Unsportsmanlike conduct – including excessive arguing with officials, tampering with equipment, or impeding other participants – will result in penalties up to immediate disqualification and removal from the venue. Serious cases of misconduct may also result in a lifetime ban from future The Soorma Arena events and potential legal action.
No refunds or reimbursements will be provided to any participant disqualified or removed from the event for misconduct. This policy also applies to any behavior that endangers or distracts other participants, staff, volunteers, sponsors, or spectators. All participants must adhere to the officials’ instructions, and all decisions of the event organizers are final.
5. Event Day
· Check-In: Participants must report to the registration desk at least 60 minutes before their scheduled start time, with a valid photo ID, to collect their bibs or race packets.
· Warm-Up & Briefing: A mandatory safety briefing and group warm-up will be conducted before the competition starts. All participants are required to attend to familiarize themselves with the rules and course layout.
· Attire & Gear: Wear appropriate athletic clothing and shoes. Any provided race bib or identification must be worn as instructed. Personal belongings can be stored in the designated baggage area at your own risk (organizers are not responsible for lost items).
· Medical: Medical personnel will be on site for first aid and emergency response. Participants experiencing injury, severe fatigue, or distress should stop and seek assistance. Event officials reserve the right to pull a participant from the competition if continuing is deemed unsafe.
· Schedule: The event may be run in waves or heats. Participants will be informed of their start time in advance and should be ready in the staging area well before their wave begins. Late arrivals may be denied entry into the race.
· Weather & Safety: The event will take place in most weather conditions (rain or shine). However, in case of dangerous weather (e.g. lightning) or other unforeseen circumstances, the organizers may delay, modify, or cancel the event for safety reasons.
· Awards & Results: Official results will be announced or posted after the event. Any awards or prizes for top finishers will be given out during a post-event awards ceremony once final results are confirmed.
6. Disclaimers
· Assumption of Risk: Participants acknowledge that The Soorma Arena is a physically demanding event and involves inherent risks. By participating, each athlete assumes full responsibility for any injury or incident that may occur during the competition.
· Medical Clearance: It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure they are physically fit to compete. Participants are advised to consult a medical professional before the event if they have any health concerns. The organizers are not liable for health issues arising from participation.
· Liability Waiver: All participants (or their parent/guardian if under 18) will be required to sign a waiver before competing. By signing, participants release The Soorma Arena organizers, staff, sponsors, and partners from liability for any injury, loss, or damage that may occur during the event, except in cases of gross negligence.
· Rule Modifications: The organizers reserve the right to modify the event format, schedule, or rules at any time for safety or logistical reasons. Any such changes will be communicated to participants in a timely manner.
· Image Release: By participating in the event, athletes consent to being photographed and filmed by the event organizers. The organizers and sponsors may use any event photos or videos for promotional purposes without additional consent or compensation.
· Final Authority: All decisions by event officials regarding rule enforcement, safety, results, and awards are final. Participants agree to abide by the judgments and directions of The Soorma Arena officials as a condition of participation.