Hartford Hammer is a semi-professional athletic organization consisting of mixed-gender teams. The teams compete in timed events in the competition space referred to as the grid.

For each Grid "Match", two opposing teams compete in eleven races progressing across four quadrants of the Grid. Each of the eleven races has a specific format that remains consistent, although the individual athletic tasks performed during each race vary from match to match. The athletic tasks performed incorporate weightlifting, gymnastics and bodyweight maneuvers denominated as "Elements" of each race.