HYROX has exploded in popularity lately – and for good reason.
It’s a fun, challenging event that combines running with functional fitness stations like sled pushes, rowing, wall balls, farmer carries, lunges, and ski erg work. The format is always the same:
- 1000 meter run
- 1 workout station
- Repeat x8
By the end, competitors have covered 8 kilometers of running along with all the functional work in between.
The movements are low skill and approachable, the branding is on point, the music is bumping, everyone is sporting their freshest gym outfits, and it’s a big fitness party.
We think events like HYROX are awesome.
Because of that, it’s important to understand where HYROX fits into the bigger picture.
HYROX is an event.
CrossFit is a comprehensive training methodology.
That’s an important distinction.
At Reverb, we train for long-term health and broad physical capability. We’re building strength, endurance, flexibility, coordination, balance, stamina, power, and resilience – the skills that serve you in life as well as in a fitness competition.
Ironically, this approach actually prepares you better for HYROX than simply focusing on the HYROX movements themselves.
Why?
Because strength and power matter A LOT in HYROX.
The stronger you are, the easier the sled pushes feel.
The easier the lunges feel.
The easier the meters rack up on the rower and ski erg.
The easier the carries feel.
The easier the wall balls feel.
The easier it is to get back up to your running race pace after each station.
A stronger, more powerful athlete is simply operating at a lower percentage of their max output during the race.
Strength and power are built with heavy squats, deadlifts, presses, cleans, and snatches with the barbell; by honing your techniques with a coach and slowly progressing your loads over time; not by doing the HYROX movement patterns over and over.
That’s one of the reasons CrossFit athletes tend to perform remarkably well at HYROX events. CrossFit develops a much broader and more complete strength & conditioning base than simply repeating the same HYROX style workouts over and over.
And beyond HYROX performance, CrossFit also produces better long-term results in important areas:
- More muscle mass (look more toned)
- Better metabolic health
- Better bone density
- Better overall athleticism
- Better longevity
- More balanced fitness
HYROX training alone can become very narrow because the event itself never changes.
CrossFit constantly varies workouts, movements, loading, skills, and time domains. That variability not only keeps training more fun – it delivers more results, faster, and builds a more adaptable and capable athlete over time.
That’s why we look at HYROX as a fun side quest within the much bigger journey of lifelong fitness.
This December, CrossFit Reverb will have a strong crew heading to HYROX Anaheim.
As we get closer to race day, we’ll have opportunities for additional focus on running, sled work, and HYROX-specific pieces to sharpen up for the event.
The foundation stays the same: CrossFit training first.
Because beyond also being the best way to prepare for HYROX, it’s the best way to become stronger, healthier, fitter, and more capable for life.
