What is HYROX and Its Popularity?

As I step into London’s Olympia, I find myself questioning the date. The air is filled with dance music, and a line of people waiting for wristbands.

Their conversations are interrupted by a loudspeaker announcement, “Today is the day you’ve all been waiting for!” I quickly check my phone, fearing I've come to the wrong event.

But then I notice the runners and rowers working up a sweat at various workout stations and realize I am indeed at the right place.

I’m here to check out Hyrox. What’s that, you ask? It’s the latest sensation in functional fitness, and it has made its way to the west of the capital.

Today, 12,500 participants (including my partner) will compete in front of a similar number of spectators (like me). Named from combining ‘hybrid’ and ‘rock star,’ Hyrox began in Germany in 2017.

It involves eight 1km runs interspersed with eight workout stations, featuring activities such as the SkiErg, sled push, and wall balls.

Participants can compete solo, in pairs (each running 8km while sharing the exercises), or in a relay team of four (each member completing 2km and two exercises).

Fast forward seven years to the 2024/2025 season, with 84 competitions spanning 25 nations.

In the UK, there’s been an impressive 233% increase in Google searches and affiliations with about 750 gyms, including Third Space and Fitness First.

However, tickets are as scarce as those for Glastonbury. The Birmingham race this October sold out in mere minutes, and waiting lists exceed 4,000. Entry prices are steep—£114 for Singles, £109 for Doubles, and £69 for Relay.

While the fastest 15 could win $25,000 (around £19,000), what keeps the rest of us coming back?

Competitive Passion

“There’s something unique about sweating among hundreds of people who share the same physical and emotional challenge,” says Mintra Tilly, head of sports and global race director at Hyrox, who believes inclusivity is central to its success.

“We wanted this to be accessible to the masses, not just a race for elites. There are no barriers to entry.”

Age-wise, participants must be at least 16, but there’s no upper limit. Celia Duff, 70, from Cambridgeshire, is the second British woman to finish the race at her age.

She’s participated in five events, including the World Championships in Nice in June, where England took home the most medals.

“I’ve run a marathon, rowed at university level, and competed with the Territorial Army,” she tells WH. “But Hyrox takes fitness events to another level with its almost carnival atmosphere.”

The beauty of Hyrox lies in its adaptability to different fitness levels. “You don’t need specialized skills like L-sits or handstands,” says Celia, who excels in her age category (and beats many half her age).

“While there are rules for certain exercises, like squatting low enough during wall balls, you only need general strength and endurance.”

Competing with her daughter in doubles this October, they plan to divide exercises so she’ll do fewer weighted movements.

Since Celia’s debut race in 2022, participants over 60 have increased from seven to 274. Training for Hyrox has, she believes, fortified her body.

“I’ve reduced my finish time by 15% in 18 months, becoming stronger and fitter, which means longer walks with my dog and more playtime with my grandchildren.”

The competitive nature provides both structure and motivation.

But age inclusivity isn’t the sole means Hyrox uses to welcome participants.

Most exercises remain the same for competitors in wheelchairs, with minor adjustments like performing certain exercises seated with lighter weights and substituting burpee broad jumps with triceps dips for those who can move their upper body.

“These adaptations allow all athletes to compete seamlessly together,” says Tilly. Adaptive athlete and wheelchair user Lydia Rose, 25, agrees.

She felt “extremely” well-supported in London and hopes to see adaptive athletes in their own division.

The crowd’s role is significant too. A sense of belonging arises from the energetic atmosphere among cheering spectators, viewing from stands strategically positioned at each workout station—complete with food trucks and a DJ.

It’s a brilliant marketing move. “I watched a friend compete last year, and the vibes were so amazing that I couldn’t wait to join myself this time,” says Helena Sharpe, 44, a recruitment director from London.

“Whether watching or participating, there’s a wonderful energy. I felt quite emotional standing at the starting line.”

Building Connections

At a time when loneliness is rising, the sense of ‘belonging’ is vital—and if Hyrox fosters belonging, it also encourages connections.

Emily Emmins, social media manager for Women’s Health and our sibling title, Men’s Health, joined in May as part of a relay team with colleagues.

“It was a great way to bond outside the office,” she says. “We did a few group training sessions, something unlikely without Hyrox. The pressure was lessened, as we shared running and exercises equally.”

For Celia, the Hyrox community has become so valuable that she plans to volunteer at events after she stops competing (only when she turns 75, she insists).

“I’ve smiled and hugged more people at Hyrox than anywhere else—it’s a place where loneliness can’t thrive.”

And her social health is just a fraction of the benefits. “While competition and self-improvement matter, nothing surpasses grace and kindness—Hyrox reminds me of this,” she says.

“Supporting others, expressing gratitude, and being kind on the track matter more to me than winning—Hyrox has brought friendship, happiness, and contentment.”

Another clever move by Hyrox is standardizing its global events so you know what to expect anywhere. Many make travel of their races.

YouTube star Zoe Hague (Molly Mae’s older sister from Love Island) began in Warsaw with her partner, Danny, and has since traveled to Berlin, Copenhagen, Dublin, and Vienna, plus UK cities like London, Birmingham, and Manchester.

Similarly, Drita Nunez, 51, started Hyrox classes at F45 Chiswick Park before jetting off to Málaga with classmates to compete.

“We rented an apartment and enjoyed the Spanish sun before the big day,” she recalls of the group trip, which included many friends and family.

“Being abroad meant meeting diverse people,” Drita adds. Any language barriers were overcome by a universal language: Hyrox.

This was always the plan, reveals Tilly. “Hyrox events are standardized globally—same order and distances,” she says.

“Participants can have fun competing in different spots while fairly comparing results. This consistency builds a global community and allows meaningful performance benchmarking,” she adds.

It’s a straightforward yet effective strategy for global reach.

Finishing Strong

Will Hyrox’s momentum sustain? Co-founder Christian Toetzke once expressed a desire for marathon-level longevity.

It’s an ambitious goal, given the recent London Olympia event saw under 25% of the participants compared to the London Marathon held weeks earlier—yet it’s not far-fetched. Naturally, the fitness form differs—while marathons test running endurance, Hyrox assesses functional fitness.

“Exercises are based on human movement patterns of push, pull, lunge, along with walking, running, or sprinting,” says Tilly.

But similarities exist, as racers receive a time chip, and the initial event in November was ticketed via ballot in London.

Hyrox’s future looks bright, with more young people joining. Celia’s granddaughter will compete in Hyrox Youngstars, for ages eight to 15, debuted in May.

Although elusive tickets enhance allure, participants might tire of difficult access—prompting the brand to respond with two- or three-day events in popular places.

And me? In my work, challenging workouts aren’t new, and I love having a goal. But I’m not naturally competitive—I’ve been hesitant to sign up.

Yet, after experiencing the electric vibe firsthand—and noticing my partner’s excitement at the finish line—I’ve reconsidered. Come November, I’ll join a relay with three colleagues in the London race.

See you there, alright?

Source: womenshealthmag

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.