What’s HYROX?
You’ve likely heard of HYROX , the latest name in hybrid training. If you haven’t, check it out. Chances are, it’s coming to a town or city near you imminently.
Taking a mass participation fitness race combining functional exercises like the sled push and 100m lunge with endurance running. Shorter than a half marathon and more taxing than other famous approaches to cross training, HYROX is the ultimate test of power, speed, strength and stamina for experts and beginners.
Last year, over 40 races took place, with over 90,000 participants taking part, watched by 50,000 spectators.
HYROX is taking the fitness community by storm. How did you first hear about it?
I think it was January 2022, when a couple of the other personal trainers said ‘Oh, we’re gonna go give this event a go.’ They came back absolutely buzzing about it. They said it was amazing. Shortly afterwards, a few more lads from the gym went to an event in London which was even bigger and they said I should have a go.
I ended up going to an event in October 2022 at Birmingham NEC arena. I came first in my age group and I saw the potential. I knew it was going to take off because it’s so well run and as a spectator you can watch it from start to finish. It isn’t like a marathon where you go to see someone and maybe just spot them a few times; in HYROX you can watch it all.
The conveyor belt system for the athletes is so good. You can sign up, be there on time and then go about your day within two and a half hours, total. It isn’t like CrossFit where you’re there all day.
Best of all, there’s a very low entry level, so 99 percent of people can train for it in 12 weeks and be able to complete a HYROX .
Why do you think hybrid training is so important?
Hybrid workouts take training away from just training for aesthetics. I think people can get into that rut of training to look good, but doing something performance-based like HYROX can take that pressure off. Look at bodybuilders working out and dieting to extremes for just one day. HYROX doesn’t have that. In hybrid training, aesthetics is a by-product and the focus is improving strength and fitness in a perfect balance. Basically, hard work wins at the end of the day.
It’s a very communal experience, too. What does that mean to you?
Community is why a lot of people come into the fitness industry in the first place, and why they stay. HYROX is just super positive compared to other industries. Everyone wants the best for each other. It’s good for your mental health, it’s good for your physical health, to have that competition and to be able to go into a gym with friends. Or to travel abroad to competitions with new friends you’ve met along the way. It just pushes you a little bit more when you’re around like-minded people
