Curious about HYROX? Here’s a beginner-friendly guide to the global fitness race, how it works, where to train in Metro Manila, and why celebrities are joining in.
A few years ago, marathons dominated social media fitness feeds. Then came obstacle races and CrossFit competitions. Today, another challenge is rapidly gaining momentum worldwide: HYROX, a fitness race that combines endurance running with functional strength exercises in one standardized competition. Originally launched in Germany in 2017, HYROX has since expanded to dozens of countries and hundreds of events, attracting everyone from elite athletes to everyday gym-goers looking for a new goal.
In the Philippines, interest in HYROX has surged over the past year. More gyms are introducing race-specific classes, training clubs are popping up across Metro Manila, and local fitness enthusiasts are increasingly flying abroad to compete. Even celebrities have joined the movement, helping bring the sport into the mainstream.
So why is everyone suddenly talking about HYROX?—and is it something beginners can actually do?
What is HYROX?
Think of HYROX as a race designed for people who enjoy both cardio and strength training.
The format is straightforward: participants complete eight 1-kilometer runs, and after each run, they perform a functional workout station. The sequence remains the same at every HYROX event around the world, allowing athletes to compare times regardless of where they compete.
A standard HYROX race includes:
- 1 km run
- SkiErg
- 1 km run
- Sled Push
- 1 km run
- Sled Pull
- 1 km run
- Burpee Broad Jumps
- 1 km run
- Rowing
- 1 km run
- Farmer’s Carry
- 1 km run
- Sandbag Lunges
- 1 km run
- Wall Balls
By the time competitors reach the finish line, they have completed a total of 8 kilometers of running plus eight functional workout stations.
The good news: You don’t need to be a professional athlete
One reason HYROX has become so popular is its accessibility.
Unlike obstacle-course races that require technical skills or CrossFit competitions that involve advanced Olympic lifting movements, HYROX focuses on exercises most gym-goers can learn relatively quickly. There are also multiple divisions, including Open, Pro, Doubles, and Relay categories, making the sport accessible to a wide range of fitness levels.
Many first-time participants start with doubles races, where two people share the workload. Others spend several months training before attempting their first solo event. The goal isn’t necessarily to win. For many participants, simply crossing the finish line becomes the achievement.
How should beginners start training?
The biggest misconception about HYROX is that it’s all about strength.
In reality, running makes up a significant portion of the race. Experts often emphasize that athletes spend roughly half of their race time running, which means cardiovascular endurance is just as important as strength training.
If you’re new to HYROX, coaches generally recommend focusing on three key areas:
1. Build your running base
Start with two to three runs per week. Consistency matters more than speed during the early stages.
2. Improve functional strength
Exercises like sled pushes, lunges, rowing, carries, and wall balls should gradually become part of your training routine.
3. Practice hybrid workouts
HYROX is challenging because it constantly alternates between running and strength work. Training sessions that combine both will help your body adapt to race conditions.
Where can you train for HYROX in Metro Manila?
As HYROX continues to gain traction in the Philippines, several facilities have begun offering race-specific programming to help newcomers prepare.
Among the most notable are AthLife Performance in BGC, one of the country’s official HYROX Training Clubs, and Fitness First Philippines, which has rolled out dedicated HYROX classes in select branches. Athletes looking for larger training spaces often gravitate toward Pretty Huge in BGC for functional fitness simulations, while hybrid athletes can also find HYROX-inspired conditioning programs at Gold’s Gym and Metcon-affiliated facilities.
Beyond traditional gyms, many running clubs and strength coaches across Metro Manila now offer HYROX-focused sessions that combine endurance, sled work, rowing, carries, and race-pace workouts—making it easier than ever for beginners to train specifically for the sport.
Is HYROX worth trying?
For people who find traditional gym routines repetitive, HYROX offers something different: a measurable challenge with a clear finish line.
You don’t need to be the fastest runner in your running club or the strongest person in your gym. What attracts many first-timers is the combination of structure, community, and personal achievement. Every race follows the same format, making progress easy to track over time.
Perhaps that’s why the sport continues to grow so quickly. In an era where many people train without a specific goal, HYROX gives fitness enthusiasts a reason to lace up their shoes, push a little harder, and see just how far they can go.
Even celebrities are hooked
Part of HYROX’s appeal is that it isn’t just attracting elite athletes—it’s drawing in familiar faces from the worlds of entertainment, food, and entrepreneurship, too. Anne Curtis and Erwan Heussaff have both shared their HYROX journeys online, including their participation in international races, while Solenn Heussaff and Nico Bolzico have documented training sessions and hybrid fitness workouts that align with the sport’s demands.
Their involvement has helped introduce HYROX to a wider audience, proving that the sport isn’t reserved for professional competitors. Instead, it’s increasingly becoming a fitness goal for everyday gym-goers, runners, and wellness enthusiasts looking to challenge themselves in a new way. Those curious about what HYROX training looks like in real life can browse their Instagram posts and race-day updates, which offer a glimpse into both the preparation and the payoff of crossing the finish line.
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