Hyrox is not just another endurance race. Founded in Germany nine years ago, it has become the world’s largest race series, attracting more than 1.5 million annual participants. Each roughly two-hour event pairs 8K of running with eight demanding fitness stations designed to test strength, speed, agility, flexibility, and grit.
Now, the series comes to Denver for the first time on November 16. We spoke with CrossFit Sanitas owner Eric Roza about what’s fueling the craze.
Boulder Lifestyle: What exactly is HYROX, and how is it different from a half-marathon or a triathlon?
Eric Roza: What they all have in common is that they are endurance events that take 1.5 to 2.5 hours for most people to complete. However, they test different things.
Marathons and triathlons test moving your body for long distances using 1-3 movements. HYROX is focused on testing overall fitness. It includes 8k of running, 2k of other endurance (ski erg, rowing), plus six other fitness stations focused on full-body fitness like lunges and sled pushes.
BL: What do you like most about HYROX?
ER: I’ve been an endurance athlete longer than I’ve been a CrossFitter, so what excites me about HYROX is seeing endurance and full-body fitness come together. Compared with traditional endurance sports, HYROX emphasizes overall fitness, can be trained for in roughly 4 to 5 hours per week, and supports a more balanced approach to long-term training.
BL: How does HYROX fit w/ CrossFit?
ER: CrossFit is focused on training everyday people for everything life can throw at you.
Many CrossFitters like to test their fitness doing hard things outside the gym, and we think HYROX is a cool new way to do that. Because many HYROX movements already exist within CrossFit, the transition feels natural for experienced CrossFitters.
BL: Who is it actually targeted for? Can ordinary humans survive this race?
ER: HYROX is not easy. But living in America’s fittest city, I think we can safely say that HYROX is a really good fit for quite a few of Boulder Lifestyle’s readers! Entering as a team of two makes it even more accessible–this lets you cut your strength stations in half and also lets you rest while your partner is working. If you are a runner or cyclist and have been putting off strength work, HYROX is a great catalyst to round out your fitness.
BL: CrossFit Sanitas just launched Boulder HYROX Club. Who is this for and how does it work?
ER: Boulder HYROX Club gives endurance athletes and CrossFitters a dedicated place to train, with programming, coaching, and equipment tailored to the sport.
BL: Denver is getting its first-ever HYROX event this November. Why is that a big deal for Boulder’s endurance community?
ER: Well, it has been 30 years since I ran a marathon, and in November, I get to start competing in endurance races again, so it’s a big deal for me! I love the idea of testing endurance and overall fitness in a single event, and I think this will help the endurance capital of the world fully embrace the benefits of strength training to enhance fitness, extend longevity, and reduce injury rates.
For more info, visit CrossfitSanitas.com.