(NewsNation) — A new fitness competition is taking the world by storm.
Just last week, thousands competed in Ireland at an outdoor Hyrox fitness challenge. The sport, which is rapidly growing, has amassed 200,000 competitors throughout the world.
So, what is Hyrox? Why has it grown in popularity? And how is it different from CrossFit?
What is Hyrox?
Hyrox is a competition in which contestants perform eight 1-kilometer runs and eight workouts. Professional athletes and everyday fitness enthusiasts are encouraged to take part in the competition.
It was founded in 2017 as an indoor discipline, and consists of: 1 kilometer on a standing ski machine and indoor rowing, 50 meters of sled push and pull, 80 meters of burpee jumps, 200 meters of kettlebell carry, 100 meters of lunges while carrying a sandbag, and 100 throws and catches of a medicine ball.
“Hyrox is fitness racing,” says Gomarr D’Hulst, exercise scientist.
“CrossFit is the sport of fitness. Both use functional movements performed at high intensity, combining aspects of strength and endurance. This naturally makes them quite similar. However, different types of athletes tend to excel in the top competitions of each sport.”
Hyrox athletes of elite status have been said to complete the course in about an hour. However, the average experienced competitor takes around 90 minutes, while beginners go at a slower pace.
Hyrox’s popularity has risen for years
According to Hyrox’s official website, there were more than 40 global races in 2023, attracting over 90,000 athletes and 50,000 spectators.
“I love it because it makes cardio training a bit more interesting and competitive, due to all the various exercises involved,” said one competitor.
“There is a great community spirit behind it, both before and after the race, because you’re surrounded by like-minded people who are all looking to push themselves.”
Hyrox has seen classes and communities popping up everywhere.
How is Hyrox different from CrossFit?
Hyrox competitions differ from CrossFit despite their close relation. For starters, Hyrox features different exercises while combining endurance over raw strength.
“In Hyrox, we know exactly the workout that will be put forward to us, so the high predictability is a major difference, because CrossFit is known for the known and unknowable,” added D’Hulst.
Participants in Hyrox are also focused on aerobic sustainability as opposed to CrossFit, which is more high-output bursts of anaerobic effort.
Hydrox athletes are also more known for Zone 2 training — long and low-intensity aerobic sessions. Athletes who do Crossfit are more prone to Zone training at 4 and 5 levels.