The Fitness Racing Craze Sweeping Australia and the World

Hyrox has emerged as the new favorite fitness sport, captivating gym enthusiasts across Australia and around the globe.

Originating in Germany in 2017, Hyrox combines running with functional movements into a challenging and exciting fitness race.

What is Hyrox?

Set in expansive indoor venues, Hyrox races start with a 1km run followed by a functional movement.

This sequence repeats eight times, testing endurance and skill. The functional movements include SkiErg, sled push, sled pull, burpee broad jumps, rowing, farmer’s carry, sandbag lunges, and wall balls.

The event features four categories for competitors to choose from: open, pro, doubles, and relay. Unlike other races, spectators surround the course, adding energy and encouragement just steps away from the racers.

Since its introduction to Australia about a year ago, Hyrox has reached 18,000 participants locally, joining tens of thousands competing worldwide.

Mat Lock, the Hyrox Australia and New Zealand country manager, highlights how the sport welcomes all levels of fitness.

“Hyrox is designed for everyone, whether you’re 17 or 76,” he states. Its inclusivity and entry-level accessibility are major reasons for its popularity.

“It’s about creating a fitness sport for people who view the gym as their playground. It’s where they sweat, endure, and enjoy the camaraderie together,” Mat explains.

Built on basic human movements like running, pushing, pulling, jumping, and throwing, Hyrox has also gained attention from professional athletes, including runners, triathletes, and football players.

Yohka Enters the Game

Another fitness racing format, Yohka, is making waves as an Australian contender in the functional fitness scene. It’s already earned the distinction of becoming an official Olympic fitness racing sport, set to debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Promoted as “the next big thing” in fitness, Yohka debuted with its Sprint Series at the 2025 AusFitness Expo in Melbourne.

Athletes were challenged by a 100-meter course packed with 12 intense obstacles designed to test their speed, power, and agility.

“This isn’t just a walk in the park,” says Yohka brand manager Todd Liubinskas. “With 12 demanding obstacles across 100 meters, even seasoned fitness enthusiasts will find it humbling.”

Yohka doesn’t stop there. It offers additional formats, including 5km and 10km courses, that blend hybrid fitness competitions and obstacle racing.

Its Olympic status, electric atmosphere, and cash prizes for top athletes add to its growing reputation as a leader in the fitness racing boom.

How Does CrossFit Compare?

Unlike Hyrox and Yohka’s specific race structures and obstacles, CrossFit offers a more unpredictable approach.

Participants might find themselves practicing Olympic lifts one day, followed by gymnastics or cardio sprints the next. This unpredictability and high skill requirement make CrossFit a favorite among elite athletes and those immersed in strength-based fitness communities.

Which Fitness Challenge is Right for You?

• Choose Hyrox if you enjoy structured challenges that test consistency, endurance, and teamwork.
  
  
• Try Yohka if you’re drawn to competitive, obstacle-based races with a focus on speed and agility.
  
  
• Stick with CrossFit if variety, strength development, and performance gains are your passion.
  
  

Getting Started with Fitness Racing

For gym-goers looking to try something new, stepping into the world of fitness racing is straightforward:

• Hyrox: Visit the Hyrox Australia website to sign up for events and explore race options. Many gyms now offer Hyrox-specific training to help you prepare.
  
  
• Yohka: Register for upcoming Yohka races online, with formats to suit all fitness levels, from short sprints to 5km+ obstacle events.
  
  
• CrossFit: Almost every city has a CrossFit affiliate (known as a “box”) that runs regular Workouts of the Day (WODs) and local competitions. Global events like the CrossFit Open welcome participants of all levels.
  
  

No matter your experience or pace, fitness racing offers an exciting challenge. The only thing left to do is take the first step.

Source: bodyandsoul

The opinions shared in the GymNation blog articles are solely those of the respective authors and may not represent the perspectives of GymNation or any member of the GymNation team.