WHAT IS HYROX?
The fitness endurance race, which blends short runs and the kind of fitness movements you find in many gym workouts, launched in Germany in 2017 with one event and 650 participants. Now it’s in 17 countries across the world, with more than 120,000 due to take part in 65 events over the next year.
It consists of exercises that anyone can do – you don’t need to be a distance runner or a weight lifter to join and it’s as competitive as you want it to be. But, warning: it can be seriously addictive!
The great thing about it is that it’s so inclusive. Anyone can do the training, and anyone can do the competition, unlike more extreme events like Spartan races or marathons.
The HYROX format is exactly the same, wherever in the world you take part and involves eight 1k runs interspersed with eight different functional fitness movements. These are designed to be straightforward, and natural, and do not require any specific skills.
WHAT ARE THE 8 HYROX MOVEMENTS?
Each is preceded by a 1km run around the competition arena:
1. 1000m on a ski erg machine
2. 50m sled push
3. 50m sled pull
4. 80m burpee broad jumps (a long jump followed by a burpee)
5. 1000m on a rowing machine
6. 200m farmer’s carry (you walk carrying a kettlebell in each hand)
7. 100m sandbag lunges (lunge walking with a sandbag slung across your shoulders)
8. 75 or 100 wall balls (you throw a weighted ball to a set height mark on a wall)
HOW HARD IS HYROX?
Well, that depends how hard you want to push yourself and if you’re chasing a specific time. You can compete solo, as a pair or even do it as a relay, to spread the load and just enjoy being part of the experience and vibe.
HOW DO YOU TRAIN FOR HYROX?
Affiliated gyms (us!) will run specific training sessions incorporating basic functional fitness movements to build your base aerobic endurance, fitness, and strength, interspersed with some running.
What are the benefits of HYROX training?
Hyrox races challenge your strength, power, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. There are multiple benefits to be had from the training sessions including:
Improve athletic performance: Training involves a combination of strength, endurance, and mobility, all of which can translate to better athletic performance, including improved lifts in the gym.
Can help with fat loss: Hyrox training is intense and involves a mixture of cardio, strength, and endurance. Training can help to burn plenty of calories!
Aid everyday activities and movements: The improvements in strength, flexibility, and mobility also contribute to everyday activities, enhancing movement efficiency and minimizing injury risks.
It’s a new challenge: Hyrox is a relatively new challenge that many gymgoers won’t have tried before. Signing up for a Hyrox event can be a great way to provide some training variation and keep you motivated.
They’re sociable: While training for Hyrox can be challenging, the training sessions and events are very rewarding and sociable. On competition day you’ll be cheered on by spectators and you’ll rival like-minded individuals who share similar goals to you. You’ll also become a part of the #HYSOCIETY, uniting everybody involved with Hyrox.
Here at Energym Fitness, we offer both Hyrox training classes and 1-2-1 Hyrox training. We can’t wait to get you involved!