HYROX: Your Complete Guide to the Global Fitness Race

HYROX: Your Complete Guide to the Global Fitness Race
Primary keyword: Hyrox
“Run 1 kilometer, do a workout, repeat eight times.”
That’s HYROX in a nutshell—but the race experience, community vibe, and worldwide leaderboard go way beyond that simple formula.
You may have seen the black-and-yellow logo scrolling through Instagram reels. Maybe your gym buddies won’t stop talking about sled pushes. Either way, this guide covers everything you need to know before your first starting whistle—from the event’s origin story and registration logistics to race-day rules and how BodySpec’s DEXA scans can fine-tune your training.
HYROX at a Glance
Stat | Details |
---|---|
Founded | 2017 in Hamburg by Christian Toetzke & Olympic gold medalist Moritz Fürste (details on Wikipedia) |
Global Reach (2024 season) | 65 races, 175,000 competitors across 4 continents |
Race Distance | 8 km running + 8 functional stations (indoors) |
Motto | “Fitness Racing for Every Body” |
World Championship Purse (2024) | $150,000 total prize money |
Unlike mud runs or obstacle-course races, HYROX is fully indoors—usually inside convention centers—so spectators and athletes stay dry while enjoying a stadium-style atmosphere. Because the workout order, distances, and weights are standardized worldwide, finish times land on a single global leaderboard, and winners qualify for an annual World Championship.
Race Format & The 8 Workout Stations
Each athlete completes a 1 km run followed by one functional workout station, repeating the sequence eight times before crossing the finish line. Total: 8 km of running and eight stations.

# | Workout | Standard Distance/Reps | Key Muscles | Pro Division Weights* |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | SkiErg | 1,000 m | Lats, core, legs | – (machine) |
2 | Sled Push | 50 m (4×12.5 m) | Quads, glutes | 202 kg men / 152 kg women |
3 | Sled Pull | 50 m (4×12.5 m) | Back, posterior chain | 153 kg men / 103 kg women |
4 | Burpee Broad Jumps | 80 m | Full body + plyometrics | Bodyweight |
5 | Row | 1,000 m | Legs, back, arms | – (machine) |
6 | Farmers Carry | 200 m | Grip, shoulders, core | 32 kg-per-hand men / 24 kg women |
7 | Sandbag Lunges | 100 m | Quads, glutes, core | 30 kg men / 20 kg women |
8 | Wall Balls | 100 reps | Legs, shoulders, cardio | 9 kg ball men (3 m target) / 6 kg women (2.7 m) |
*Weights shown for Pro; Open and Doubles categories scale down (see the official rulebook PDFs on HYROX.com).

With the extra distance you’ll cover weaving through the Roxzone transition lanes, your legs will log close to 9 km of total running before that final wall-ball rep (Red Bull guide).
Divisions, Age Groups, & Qualification
HYROX is designed to be inclusive. Choose the category that best matches your goals:
- Open (Individual) – Standard weights, most first-timers start here.
- Pro (Individual) – Heavier implements for experienced athletes chasing world-ranked times.
- Doubles – Two teammates share both running and workouts.
- Relay – Four teammates each complete two runs + one station.
Age brackets run every five years from 16-24 up to 70+. Podium finishers and top-time qualifiers earn invites to Regional Championships and ultimately the World Championship, where big prize purses await the fastest racers.
2025 Event Calendar & How to Pick Your Race
Real-time registration availability changes quickly. Check the full global schedule for up-to-date slots and pricing.
Date | City | Venue |
---|---|---|
Jan 11 2025 | Chicago, IL | McCormick Place |
Feb 8 2025 | Dallas, TX | Kay Bailey Hutchison CC |
Mar 1 2025 | Los Angeles, CA | LA Convention Center |
Apr 12 2025 | Boston, MA | BCEC |
May 17 2025 | Seattle, WA | Lumen Field Events Ctr |

How to choose:
- Pick a date at least 12 weeks out to allow a full training cycle.
- Consider altitude and travel fatigue—local races keep logistics simple.
- Check weather only for arrival; the race itself is indoors.

Step-by-Step Registration Guide
- Create an account on the HYROX website or app.
- Select your race via Athletes ▸ Find My Race.
- Choose a division (Open, Pro, Doubles, Relay).
- Purchase your ticket – prices range $130–$220 depending on division and demand (HYROX FAQ).
- Activate your bib via the confirmation email (required to appear on the start list).
- Download your QR code for on-site check-in; bring photo ID and signed waiver.
- Optional edits (division change, partner swap) are allowed up to 10 days pre-race for a small fee.

Pro tip: Many U.S. events sell out 6–8 weeks in advance. Lock in early while hotel rates are lower.
HYROX vs. CrossFit, Spartan, & More
Feature | HYROX | CrossFit Open | Spartan (Beast) | NYC Marathon |
---|---|---|---|---|
Environment | Indoor arena | Individual gym | Outdoor trails & obstacles | City streets |
Distance | 8 km run + workouts | Variable WODs | 21 km + ~30 obstacles | 42.2 km |
Standardized Globally? | Yes | Yes (within a season, workouts change annually) | No (course varies) | Yes |
Strength Component | Sleds, carries, wall balls | Olympic lifting, gymnastics | Monkey bars, bucket carry | Minimal |
Mud Factor | None | None | High | None |
Scoring | Fastest time | Reps/time | Fastest time | Fastest time |
Ideal For | Hybrid athletes wanting data-driven racing | Functional fitness purists | Adventure & obstacle fans | Pure runners |

Bottom line: HYROX sits squarely between road running and functional fitness—clean, repeatable, and easy to benchmark across seasons.
Training Resources & Body Composition Tracking
Preparing for the unique run-strength blend requires a smart plan and objective feedback.
Free Training Plans
BodySpec’s coaching team publishes science-backed HYROX programs with 12-week, 8-week, and advanced options, plus pacing calculators and mobility drills.
Why Track Body Composition?

Performance hinges on the power-to-weight ratio: carry enough muscle to move sleds, but not so much excess mass that your 8 km run feels like a ruck march. DEXA scans quantify fat mass, lean mass, and visceral fat with clinical-grade accuracy, letting you:
- Establish an informed goal for your racing weight to optimize your power-to-weight ratio.
- Monitor muscle retention during calorie deficits.
- Validate that training is building—not burning—strength.

Ready for actionable numbers? Book your BodySpec DEXA scan before you start your training block.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a HYROX race take?
Beginner Open athletes often finish in 1:30–2:15. Elite men dip under 60 minutes; the current world record is 54:07 for men and 58:58 for women (source: Wikipedia).
Do I need special shoes?
Flat, grippy cross-training shoes (think Nike Metcon, Reebok Nano) strike a balance between running comfort and outsole traction for sled work.
What if I fail a rep standard?
Judges issue a “no-rep,” and you must redo it—there are no penalty burpees, but sloppy form wastes energy and time.
Can I change from Open to Pro after registering?
Yes—log into your account and edit your entry up to 10 days pre-race (fees apply).
Is HYROX safe for beginners?
Absolutely, provided you train smart and scale weights during practice. Consult a qualified coach, and prioritize technique over load.
Final Takeaway
HYROX offers a measurable, community-driven test of full-body fitness. Sign up, follow a structured plan, and track your body composition along the way—then soak in the electric arena vibes as you stride toward that 100th wall ball. See you in the Roxzone!