ELITE Southern Highlands fitness athlete, Ben Garard, has excelled in the new National Pro Grid League (NPGL) sporting competition in the United States.

His team, the San Francisco Fire, made it to the Championship Final in Los Angeles which will be held on October 2, (Australian time).

The final be telecast across the US NBC Sports Network and Garard's team, the San Francisco Fire will face the Washington-based DC Brawlers for the title of Grid League champions for 2014.

In what was the NPGL's inaugural competition, eight teams from across the US competed against each other in gruelling fitness workouts on grid-like arenas.

Since the start of competition in August, the Fire has won all four matches leading up to the final on October 2.

Garard, 26, from Mittagong, has played a starring role in three of the games, proving his fitness, versatility, strength and speed against some of the best cross-functional fitness athletes in America.

His lightning-fast box-jumping ability has also been likened by US media to that of a kangaroo.

Garard's team is also the only Grid team to have won all 11 races in one match, a record-breaking feat it accomplished against the Boston Iron in a quarter-final match in North Carolina on September 25.

In a nailbiting semi-final contest on September 26 against Phoenix Rising, also in North Carolina, the Fire narrowly won by one point to retain its undefeated crown.

The Fire also won each of its three pre-tournament matches in Miami in July.

Garard said he was thrilled with his team's winning streak and was looking forward to the final.

"My career in functional fitness has led to this championship and I am just so happy with not only my performance but of the success of our team, the San Francisco Fire," he said.

"We all dig deep and fight together as a close-knit team. I'm just having a blast over here - it's so rewarding - but I also want to thank my friends and family in Australia and members of my BENt on CrossFit gym in Mittagong who are supporting me and following my Grid matches."

Garard said that while he was enjoying the "life-changing" opportunity to compete as a professional athlete in America, he was looking forward to returning to the Highlands and his gymmates in Mittagong in mid-October.

The NPGL, or 'Grid', was launched this year as a major new spectator sport which featured eight teams of super fit men and women who raced against each other in fast-paced, two-hour long workouts that tested their strength, speed, agility, endurance and strategic skills.

Workouts included exercises such as weightlifting, handstand pushups, rope climbs, gymnastics and body weight movements.

Matches can be replayed on www.npgl.com.

Aussie fans can also follow Ben's Grid exploits on Facebook pages for Ben and the NPGL.

Garard's gym, BENt on CrossFit, is situated at Unit 3, 241-243 Old Hume Hwy in Mittagong, with access off Owen St. Call 0421 833 783, email bentoncrossfit@outlook.com or visit www.bentoncrossfit.net.