HYROX: Your Ultimate Fitness Challenge in 2024
HYROX events are fitness races that combine running with functional exercises. It’s available to everyone from amateurs to professional athletes and events are held all over the world.
Hyrox burst onto the scene with a fresh take on functional fitness, blending elements of traditional exercises with high-intensity cardio. The Hyrox race format involves completing a series of standardized workouts, including rowing, running, burpees, and sled pushes, among others. Participants navigate through these stations in a set order, testing their endurance, strength, and agility.
Ironman World Champion Sebastian Kienle has taken up competing in HYROX events as well as professional triathlete Joe Skipper. The event mimics the multi-discipline sport of triathlon in many ways so transitioning to it is relatively easy.
Kris Rugloski was participating in ultra marathons before taking part in a HYROX event in 2020. In 2022, she became the HYROX World Champion. Endurance sports athletes seem to do really well in these events.
Highlights
- HYROX is a growing global fitness racing movement that combines running with workout stations. Every HYROX event has the same standardized race format so athletes worldwide compete under the same conditions.
- Appropriate gear, particularly footwear, is essential for optimal HYROX race performance. Shoes that provide stability, and grip, and avoid slipping during sled pushes are ideal.
- The HYROX community promotes camaraderie among participants and offers various benefits, leading to a high event completion rate and an enjoyable athletic experience.
Table of Contents
What Is HYROX?
Launched in Germany in 2017, HYROX has swiftly become a rapidly expanding fitness sport in a short span of a few years, with events taking place in over 11 countries and 30 major cities.
HYROX is an endurance race that blends running and workout stations where each athlete must run 1 KM between each station. It’s a combination of endurance and strength.
Runners, CrossFit athletes, and other athletes are common participants. The competition is time-based, with the more advanced categories required to lift heavier amounts during their sessions.
What Makes HYROX Stand Out?
With its global event standardization, the HYROX race allows athletes to compete and benchmark their performance against other athletes anywhere in the world. Whether you’re in Germany, the US, or Australia, the race format remains the same.
This unique feature not only upholds the fairness of the competition but also allows for a truly global community of athletes to emerge.
The Gear You’ll Need for a HYROX Race
Each race involves over 8km of running, so comfortable running shoes are a must. Your choice of shoes will need to provide stability for HYROX’s many tight turns and maneuvers while offering good grip for exercises like the heavy sled push.
Overly light running shoes are probably not the best choice. I’ve torn an expensive pair of shoes because they simply couldn’t hold up to the lateral movement of some stations. A textured outsole with ridges is recommended for better traction.
It may sound trivial, but you’ll want to experiment with the right shoelace tightness as well since there is so much force put on your shoes with the various stations.
I personally don’t like overly tight shoelaces when running, but need them for stations like the sled push. You’ll want to find a happy medium. Perhaps a solution like Lock Laces where you can quickly loosen and tighten the shoes is an option.
Training Essentials: From Kettlebells To Wall Balls
Besides running, you need to master the functional workout stations. Along with versatile running shoes, you’ll want hand chalk for a better grip during the weighted exercises.
Functional workout equipment like kettlebells will also come in handy for your training. For the Farmers Carry station, you’ll carry kettlebells for the distance your division requires.
Wall balls can be easily purchased or found at your local gym. Performing these at the end of a workout is a great way to replicate the fatigued state you’ll be in while training your body to push on.
Hopefully, your gym has a RowErg machine and if you’re lucky, a SkiErg machine as well. You could literally recreate a race day atmosphere and train accordingly.
Participating in a HYROX Event
Each HYROX event is held indoors, including the running portions. From this standardization, participants can compare their performance with others across various events, divisions, and age groups worldwide. This unique feature creates a sense of global competition, adding another layer of excitement to the race.
Each HYROX season culminates in a World Championships, where the top participants are showcased on a leaderboard. This grand finale further elevates the global competition, giving athletes the chance to see how they measure up against the best of the best.
The Different HYROX Race Categories
You can enter a HYROX event by yourself or as a group. Hyrox race categories are:
- Open Women
- Open Men
- Pro Women
- Pro Men
- Doubles Women
- Doubles Pro Women
- Doubles Men
- Doubles Pro Men
- Doubles Mixed
- Women Team Relay
- Men Team Relay
- Mixed Team Relay
The HYROX competition offers different divisions, allowing participants to compete against different fitness levels and goals:
- Open division: designed for the broader public, striking a balance between challenge and achievability
- Pro division: for those who crave a more demanding challenge, with heavier weights
- Doubles division: for those who prefer working as a team, you can pair up with a partner
- Team Relay division: for those who want to form a group and compete together
Each category is tailored to different fitness levels and preferences.
Age Groups
Within each division and category, you’ll race against other competitors that are in your age group.
For singles (non-doubles or relay), these age groups are:
- Under 24 (16-24)
- 25 – 29
- 30 – 34
- 35 – 39
- 40 – 44
- 45 – 49
- 50 – 54
- 55 – 59
- 60 – 64
- 65 – 69
- 75 – 79
- 80 – 84
- 85 – 89
For people in the Double categories, you take the average age of the two competitors at the time of the event.
- Under 29 (16-29)
- 30-39
- 40-49
- 50-59
- 60-69
- 70+
For relay competitors, it’s the average of all team members at the time of the event.
- Under 40
- Over 40
Station-by-Station: A Breakdown of a HYROX Course
The HYROX course distance and format do not deviate from race to race. It consists of a series of workout stations, each designed to test different muscle groups.
However, since each race is in a different location, be sure to familiarize yourself with the course to avoid any unnecessary confusion during the race.
The race format is as follows:
- 1km run
- SkiErg – 1000 meters
- 1km run
- Sled Push – 50 meters (total weight dependent on category)
- 1km run
- Sled Pull – 50 meters (total weight dependent on category)
- 1km run
- Burpee Broad Jumps – 80 meters
- 1km run
- Rowing – 1000 meters
- 1km run
- Farmers Carry – 200 meters (total weight dependent on category)
- 1km run
- Sandbag Lunges – 100 meters (total weight dependent on category)
- 1km run
- Wall Balls – 75 to 100 (reps dependent on category) (total weight dependent on category)
Each station offers a different challenge, ensuring that your first HYROX workout station experience and the entire HYROX race is a full-body workout like no other at the HYROX workout station.
Don’t Get a Time Penalty
Just like a triathlon, if you don’t follow the rules, you’ll get a time penalty. The time penalties are always five minutes.
If you don’t run the right amount of laps necessary for a kilometer, that’s an additional five minutes. There are others, so familiarize yourself with the rules to avoid penalties.
Pace Your Race
Maintaining a consistent pace is vital in HYROX, as the running segments account for roughly 50% of the total race time.
Many people go out too strong in the beginning when they feel fresh, and fade horribly near the end. It’s important to remember that it’s a long, difficult race. Pacing is critical to a fun race.
Many athletes know exactly what each station should take them, and use a triathlon watch that can help them track their pacing throughout the course. Practicing 1km intervals at your planned race pace can help you find your rhythm and judge your effort.
Data analysis of past workouts can also be beneficial but don’t get bogged down in data. On race day, you’ll want to listen to your body and make sure you’re well-prepared for anything.
The HYROX Community
HYROX extends beyond racing; it’s also about joining a community. The event partners with over 500 gyms worldwide through the HYROX Gym Affiliation Program, fostering a sense of community among its participants and collaborating with third-party providers.
Members of affiliated gyms receive not only a dedicated HYROX entry discount code but also access to special areas at HYROX events and visibility on a global platform. This sense of community, combined with the thrilling race format, contributes to a completion rate of over 98% for HYROX races.
The HYROX Gym Affiliation Program plays a crucial role in fostering this sense of community. By offering exclusive benefits to gym members and providing resources for training, the program encourages camaraderie, support, and engagement among athletes.
Comparison of Hyrox To CrossFit
Comparing the Two Titans:
- Race Format
- Hyrox: Participants follow a structured race format, completing a set series of exercises in a specific order.
- CrossFit: Races are constantly varied. Competitors do not usually know the workouts until just before the event.
- Race Length
- Hyrox: 60 minutes – 180 minutes on average.
- CrossFit: Varies, but averages about 20 minutes.
- Competition Style
- Hyrox: Races are timed, and participants strive to achieve their personal best, with an emphasis on individual performance.
- CrossFit: Competitions are often head-to-head or against the clock, with athletes vying for the best overall performance.
- Community and Culture
- Hyrox: Fosters a sense of community through race events, bringing together athletes with diverse fitness backgrounds.
- CrossFit: Known for its tight-knit community and the camaraderie built within CrossFit gyms
- Equipment and Movements
- Hyrox: Utilizes standard equipment like rowers, sleds, and weights, with a focus on functional movements.
- CrossFit: Incorporates a wide range of equipment, including barbells, kettlebells, gymnastics rings, and more, with a diverse set of movements.
In the showdown between Hyrox and CrossFit, the choice ultimately boils down to personal preference and fitness goals.
Hyrox offers a structured racing experience with standardized workouts, while CrossFit provides a dynamic and constantly varied approach to functional fitness.
Whichever path you choose, both Hyrox and CrossFit promise to push your physical boundaries and add to your fitness journey.
Summary
From its unique race format and diverse divisions to its global ranking system and strong sense of community, HYROX is more than just a fitness race. It’s an electrifying fitness journey that offers a unique challenge to both professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
Whether you’re looking to test your strength and endurance or immerse yourself in a global fitness community, HYROX offers a compelling and inclusive experience that keeps athletes coming back for more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a HYROX workout?
HYROX is a global fitness race designed for participants of all abilities. It involves a 1 km run followed by 1 functional movement, repeated 8 times in large indoor venues, creating a unique stadium-like atmosphere for all participants.
How is HYROX different from CrossFit?
HYROX races take an average of 1.5 hours to complete, with elite athletes finishing in under 60 minutes, whereas most CrossFit workouts usually last less than 20 minutes. This indicates a significant difference in the duration of the two activities.
Why is it called HYROX?
The word “HYROX” is a portmanteau of the words “hybrid” and “rockstar,” created by the founding team without standing for anything specific. It originated from a playful combination of the two words.
How hard is HYROX?
HYROX is a grueling and rigorous test of overall fitness, requiring strength, speed, endurance, and power. Participants have compared the exertion required to that of a half marathon or an Olympic triathlon. It is not for the faint of heart.
What is a HYROX event?
HYROX is a global fitness race that allows participants from all around the world to compete in the same format, featuring a 1 km run followed by 1 functional movement repeated 8 times in large indoor venues, creating a unique stadium-like atmosphere. It is the first mass participation event that gives everyday gym-goers their own race to train for, bridging the gap between traditional endurance events and functional fitness.
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