What is HYROX, this discipline that everyone is adopting?
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From influencers to your friends who, in recent years, couldn’t be bothered to chase after a bus, everyone is jumping 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 weren’t brutal enough, people suddenly start running like crazy and doing dozens of push-ups in between, as if that weren’t enough.
In short, with my classes in sound baths, ballet, and twerking, I tell myself that I will have to try (against my will, as you will understand) HYROX, this competitive fitness discipline that combines an 8-kilometer running course and 8 different workouts with one goal: to push you to your limits.
How did HYROX enter our lives?
HYROX is a relatively young discipline that originated in Germany in 2017.
The beginning of HYROX wasn’t as wild as it is now; participants numbered more in the hundreds than in the thousands.
Basically, it’s a hybrid sport that mixes 8 km of running with fun functional exercises like weighted walking, sled pulls, ball throwing… in short, a lot of very physical stuff that athletes do eight times in a row with the aim 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 intentional standardization: the same tests, the same distances, and the same movements, regardless of the country.
Of course, social media also tends to standardize the practice, with HYROX fans gladly sharing their efforts on Instagram and TikTok.
The staging of the sport is almost as important as the efforts themselves. HYROX is not done in a typical gym; no, you need to train in an arena, accompanied by very superficial white lighting and immersive music.
In short, more than just a sport, it’s an activity that might seem torturous to some, but becomes a true lifestyle for others.
Furthermore, 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 added sweat!
Who are the HYROX enthusiasts?
What stands out in the HYROX universe is the diversity of its participants. Well, the diversity in terms of athletic level, not social class. HYROX competitors are usually higher socio-professional categories with an average age of 30, 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 own level, without performance pressure. HYROX also attracts a generation sensitive to the idea of personal progress and self-development. Let’s be honest, practicing this sport is also a real social and identity marker, which places its participants in a form of social contract that society has emphasized 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 does not escape certain shadowy areas.
The rapid rise of the discipline is sometimes accompanied by an implicit pressure for performance and personal progress, basically the ingredients you find in somewhat toxic personal development coaching.
On the other hand, HYROX showcases a nice story on social media where diversity is promoted, but it is composed of intensive preparation, and trained bodies dominate the narratives.
For some participants, the risk is slipping into excessive practice, where self-listening takes a back seat, and this poses a real risk, just like developing a genuine addiction.
In addition, there is a significant economic dimension: registration fees, specific equipment, specialized coaching… which can quickly turn into pressure and, in this case, becomes really unhealthy. HYROX can quickly become expensive and exclusive. Finally, 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 injunction to performance.
Don’t feel guilty if HYROX doesn’t appeal to you and try it if it sparks 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 will stay on my lovely yoga mat where I try not to sweat too much!
Featured image: © Julia Rekamie/Unsplash
