Tone House Hosts 7th Annual Turf Wars Competition in NYC

Tone House hosts the community event to raise money for a good cause, engage its members and introduce more people to the brand’s unique form of group strength and conditioning

Group strength and conditioning brand Tone House is set to host its seventh annual Turf Wars competition this Saturday, a gathering that will see up to 150 participants compete to support Special Olympics New York.

The competition will be held at Asphalt Green on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the biggest-ever venue to host the competition, from 8:30am to 3:30pm.

Turf Wars offers participants the chance to compete individually or as part of a team in 10 events that mirror Tone House’s in-studio training program, which brings athlete-style strength and conditioning workouts to a group setting. The Turf Wars events include endurance, strength and agility movements, as well as a surprise “wild card” event. Standout performers will earn the titles of “Man and Woman of the House.”

“Turf Wars is the event where we get to show the magic of what happens at Tone House to the rest of New York City,” said Tone House founder and director of training Alonzo Wilson. “We created this community event to give our athletes something to train and set goals for, and test their performance in a fun, competitive, yet supportive setting.”

Innovative Programming

Tone House has designed extra programming to ensure athletes are prepared for the competition.

“We designed a four-week clinic that is meant to help athletes learn about each individual event,” James McMillian, Tone House’s director of innovation, told Athletech News. “Our two-hour clinics provide detailed learning techniques and movement patterns that will give beginner and seasoned athletes a better understanding of the competition. We also have competition-inspired classes on our schedule that will enforce the mindset and drive needed for the big day.” 

For a Good Cause

Returning to Manhattan for the first time since 2019, this year’s Turf Wars aims to raise $50,000 for Special Olympics New York. Competitors can create individual fundraising pages to support the organization, which provides year-round sports training and competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics New York athletes will also participate in the event.

“In New York, we look forward to continuing to grow our partnership with Special Olympics New York with a new team-based fundraising effort, and hosting a mini competition for their athletes to close out the day,” McMillian said. “Their athletes show up year after year with impressive determination and athleticism, and we are honored to support their mission of providing athletic opportunities for people of all physical and intellectual abilities.”

For the fifth consecutive year, Adidas will outfit all participants with uniforms, turf shoes, performance gear, accessories and more. Additionally, Hyperice, Mademeals, Nocco, and Pwr Lift will offer on-site product sampling and demonstrations.

Eyeing Expansion

Although the Tone House studio is based in New York (NoMad in Manhattan), the brand eventually plans to extend Turf Wars outside the United States.

“The future of Turf Wars is bright,” McMillian said. “We plan on expanding this event to major cities that have a passion for sports, including Toronto. Every city will have its unique spin and the events will change, but the experience will encompass the New York energy and culture that is signature to our flagship studio.”