More than 500 athletes will be pushing themselves to the limit in a two-day CrossFit event aimed at showcasing physical prowess.

Hosted by Mount CrossFit, the New Zealand Team Nationals puts 84 teams, consisting of three males and three females, to the ultimate fitness test at ASB Arena, Baypark, today and tomorrow.

Luke Balvert taking part in some gruelling workouts at ASB Arena. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

The two-day battle will see athletes compete in 11 workouts consisting of different fitness elements.

Co-organiser Luke McGruer says there are five teams from Mount CrossFit and CrossFit Tauranga competing in the event, which includes weight lifting, gymnastics, rowing and a Sunday morning swim at Baywave.

'The teams only found out the workouts one week out from the competition, so they haven't had much time to prepare specifically for these workouts.

'But they've been training a broad range of activities to be ready for whatever we throw at them.”

While many athletes go on to represent New Zealand at the regionals, which is Australia, NZ and Asia competing together, this competition is about trying to bring beginner athletes to have a go, says Luke.

'Whether they're beginner at the hard level or beginner at the easy level, we try to use this more of an experience to learn and train from as opposed to trying to stack a team to win.”

CrossFit is an exercise regime that combines endurance, weight lifting, gymnastics and more into a high-intensity workout.

NZ's first mass CrossFit event started in 2012, when 70 teams battled it out to become the country's first CrossFit champions.

About 2000 spectators to file in to ASB Arena during the two-day event.

'The atmosphere's awesome, our goal is it's like a smaller version of the [Rugby] Sevens. So the teams dress up.

'The supporters dress up as well usually, either in their gym colours or they dress the same as their team. We had about 50 Where's Wallys once.”

The New Zealand Team Nationals is at ASB Arena, Baypark, from 8am each day. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for children aged 6-15, and $20 for a family of four.