What is HYROX, this discipline that everyone is adopting?
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From influencers to your friends who, in recent years, have been too lazy to chase a bus, everyone is diving into this new discipline with a name that already makes you sweat: HYROX. We need to talk about it because it’s time to face the issue head-on. HYROX is absolutely everywhere, as if the world wasn’t brutal enough, people suddenly start running like crazy and doing dozens of push-ups in between, as if that wasn’t enough.
In short, with my sound bath classes, ballet, and twerking, I think I’m going to have to try (much to my dismay, you’ll understand) HYROX, this competitive fitness discipline that combines an 8-kilometer running course with 8 different workouts, all with one goal: to push you to the edge of your limits.
How did HYROX enter our lives?
HYROX is a relatively young discipline that originated in Germany in 2017.
The beginning of HYROX was not as crazy as it is now; the followers were counted in hundreds rather than thousands.
Basically, it’s a hybrid sport that mixes: running over 8 km and very cool functional exercises such as weighted walks, sled pulls, ball throws… in short, a ton of very physical stuff that athletes do eight times in a row with the goal of finishing the circuit as quickly as possible.
The advantage for enthusiasts? They can do this obstacle course anywhere in the world. Indeed, the very concept of HYROX is based on an assumed standardization: the same events, the same distances, and the same movements, regardless of the country.
Of course, social media also tends to standardize the practice, with HYROX fans willingly sharing their efforts on Instagram and TikTok.
The staging of the sport is almost as important as the efforts themselves. HYROX does not take place in an ordinary gym, no, you need to train in an arena, accompanied by very superficial white lighting and immersive music.
In short, more than a sport, it’s an activity that can seem torturous to some but becomes a true lifestyle for others.
Moreover, participating in HYROX competitions seems to be a true experience in itself, at the crossroads of sport, entertainment, and self-overcoming, in short, everything you find on the internet, but in real life, with the added sweat!
Who are the HYROX enthusiasts?
What stands out in the HYROX universe is the diversity of its participants. Well, the diversity in sporting levels, not in social class. HYROX competitors are often upper-middle-class individuals around 30 years old living in large cities. What’s pretty cool, however, is that amateurs can compete alongside fitness enthusiasts.
The key to this enthusiasm lies in the accessibility of the format: several categories allow everyone to engage at their level, without performance pressure. HYROX also attracts a generation sensitive to the notion of personal progress and self-development. Let’s be honest, practicing this sport is also a real social and identity marker, placing its participants in a form of social contract highly emphasized by society for years: self-overcoming, the promotion of a healthy life, and performance.
The Other Side of the Coin: The Darker Side of HYROX
Behind this unifying and inspiring image, HYROX is not without its shadows.
The rapid rise of the discipline sometimes comes with an implicit pressure for performance and personal progress, basically the same ingredients found in somewhat toxic personal development coaching.
On top of that, HYROX showcases a lovely story on social media where diversity is advocated, but it’s composed of intensive preparation, and well-trained bodies dominate the narratives.
For some participants, the risk is sliding into excessive practice, where listening to oneself takes a back seat, and poses a real risk, just like developing a genuine addiction.
Additionally, there’s a significant economic dimension: registrations, specific equipment, specialized coaching… which can quickly turn into pressure and, in this case, is really not healthy at all. HYROX can quickly become costly and exclusive. Lastly, the standardization of the format, while reassuring, can also be perceived as a form of rigidity, leaving little room for individual adaptation. All these questions invite us to approach this discipline with discernment, reminding us that sport, even trendy, should primarily remain a space for well-being and not a new imposition of performance.
Don’t feel guilty if HYROX doesn’t appeal to you, and try it if it piques your curiosity, keeping in mind that what matters is listening to yourself and only pushing your limits if it helps you feel better. As for me, I’ll stick to my lovely yoga mat where I try not to sweat too much!
Cover image: © Julia Rekamie/Unsplash
