What’s the Hype About HYROX?

I’ll be honest—I didn’t really know what HYROX was until recently. My client Sarah signed us up for a doubles race in Dallas this November. When she told me, I thought, “This gal has done so much and worked so hard for me, the least I can do is say yes and do this little thing for her.”

Well, after this past weekend at a HYROX simulation at Find That Rep (FTR) in Overland Park, I now fully get the hype.

What is HYROX?

HYROX is a global fitness race that combines strength, endurance, and mental grit. Think of it as a hybrid between a functional fitness competition and a running event—structured and accessible.

Every HYROX race follows the same order worldwide:

1. 1 km run
2. 1 functional workout station
3. Repeat until you’ve completed 8 runs + 8 workouts

The workout stations include:

• SkiErg
• Sled push
• Sled pull
• Burpee broad jumps
• Rowing
• Farmers carry
• Sandbag walking lunges
• Wall balls

It’s a full-body test of strength and stamina, but also strategy—how you pace, how you recover, and how you keep pushing when it gets uncomfortable.

My First Experience

Sarah and I teamed up for the doubles simulation at FTR, organized by the amazing Karen Tabuchi. For our first go, it was equal parts intimidating and exhilarating. I can't imagine how electric the real Hyrox events are—similar to when you’re running a half marathon and the energy of the crowd somehow makes the miles feel a little less terrible.

That’s what HYROX does—it pulls you in. It’s not just about your own effort; it’s about the community around you, everyone suffering and celebrating together.

And let me tell you—beforehand, I would’ve bet that the burpee broad jumps would be the hardest part. Nope. For me, it was hands-down the walking lunges with the sandbag. Brutal. But pushing through it alongside Sarah, and literally trading encouragement when one of us hit a wall, made it possible.

Sarah’s Story: My Hyrox Partner and Inspiration

I can’t write about this without highlighting Sarah. Over the past two years, Sarah has completely transformed her life—losing 140 pounds and proving to herself (and everyone around her) just how strong she really is. But what inspires me most isn’t the number on the scale—it’s her grit, her willingness to keep showing up, and her drive to keep setting new goals. When she signed us up for our first HYROX doubles race, she was the one pulling me into something new. I’ve guided her through her fitness journey, but in this case, she’s leading me. And that’s the beauty of coaching—it goes both ways. Training alongside Sarah this weekend, pushing each other, and trading encouragement when things got tough was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had as a trainer.

Why the Hype?

HYROX brings back that competitive fire many of us haven’t felt since our school or college days. It’s measurable, it’s repeatable, and it gives you something to train for that isn’t just “weight loss.” It’s about performance, pushing limits, and realizing how strong and capable you really are.

*In chasing this goal, you might just end up working harder than you ever did when chasing the scale.* Read that again, quit chasing the scale-find something bigger than that. 

How to Train for HYROX

From my perspective, the best training strategy comes down to this: working your ass off with hard but safe exercises that keep your heart rate elevated for a long duration.There are no real breaks in HYROX. You’re constantly moving, sustaining effort for over an hour. The runs aren’t really recovery—they’re active recovery. You push through the functional workouts, then you “recover” by running.That’s why I believe power is the key. Stay focused on getting strong and lifting heavy, but also incorporate heart-rate-sustaining exercises at the end of your workouts. This blend is exactly what we’ll focus on in our HYROX classes at City Gym—building strength, power, and endurance that can carry you across the finish line.

Tapping Back Into Competition

If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you know I’ve been finding my competition edge again. Whether it was the CG in-house charity competition, the Pride workout burpee-off, or the deadlift competition where I walked away with a Blackstone grill, each event has sparked something in me.

It’s crazy how one thing has rolled into the next—each challenge sharpening me, reminding me of who I am at my core. But this time around, the difference is that I’ve got the backbone and support system I always needed (and everyone needs) on their side. Training partners, clients, and community cheering me on—pushing me forward as much as I push them.

HYROX feels like the next natural step. It’s not just about proving something to myself, it’s about celebrating strength, grit, and community along the way.

What’s Next?

City Gym is now officially a HYROX Affiliate, and starting in October, we’ll be offering HYROX classes with a structured 12-week program. This program will prepare you for big events happening around the nation—or if you’re just curious, you can join us for an in-house full simulation to test yourself. 

Sarah and I completed our first sim together, and I’m already inspired to try an individual race on my own in the future. But honestly, I couldn’t imagine starting without her by my side. Sharing the journey, encouraging each other, and pushing through together—that’s the real magic of HYROX.

The hype is real—and I can’t wait to bring it to City Gym. If you’ve caught the HYROX bug, competed before, or have advice—drop a comment. I’d love to hear what training strategies have worked best for you.

Big shoutout to FTR and Karen Tabuchi for putting on the simulation this weekend. And an even bigger shoutout to Sarah—for reminding me why I do what I do, and for reigniting my love of competing.