The hybrid workout HYROX, testing strength and endurance, is taking over the world and the Philippines by storm.
The HYROX World Championship just wrapped up in Chicago. There’s no better time to explore the global phenomenon that’s making waves in gyms and exhibition halls around the world. HYROX, a fitness race that fuses running and strength-based challenges, is fast becoming a staple in the competitive fitness scene. In 2023, around 175,000 participants competed across 65 races globally. Now, organizers expect those numbers to triple, forecasting over 550,000 athletes in over 80 races by year-end 2025. With this, HYROX has cemented itself as one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing fitness races.
What is HYROX?
HYROX is a hybrid endurance event that blends functional fitness with running. Each race involves eight 1km runs, each followed by a different workout station. The eight HYROX workout stations are: 1km ski erg, 50m sled push, 50m sled pull, 80 burpee broad jumps, 1km row, 200m farmer’s carry, 100m sandbag lunges, and 100 wall balls (don’t worry, we had to Google some of these too). Altogether, the HYROX stations are designed to push both cardiovascular and muscular limits.
The mass appeal of HYROX lies in its accessibility and standardized format. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just someone looking for a new challenge, there’s a category for you. Participants can compete individually in the Open or Pro divisions, team up in Doubles, or join three other friends for the Team Relay category. And with separate men’s and women’s divisions, the event invites participants of all fitness levels to find their stride.
The Allure of HYROX and Why It’s Catching On
Unlike more technical disciplines like CrossFit or Olympic lifting, HYROX’s events are straightforward and scalable. The movement standards are consistent, the format is repeatable, and you don’t need months of skill work to get race-ready. This democratization of fitness competition is at the heart of its popularity. It’s tough, but not impossible. As the brand says, it’s “the sport for everybody.”
The variety of divisions also means that it’s inherently social. Whether you’re aiming for a personal best or racing alongside a friend or partner, HYROX makes competing feel inclusive and communal, traits that resonate deeply in today’s fitness culture.
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HYROX in the Philippines: From Trend to Movement
While HYROX was founded in 2017, it only truly entered the Filipino fitness consciousness within the past couple of years.
“I got wind of HYROX last year,” says Edmund Vega, owner of Gold’s Gym x Metcon at Venice Grand Canal Mall, which recently rebranded itself as a HYROX training destination. Edmund had noticed that more and more people were joining because of the low barrier to entry, and he was eager to explore the next potential fitness wave.
“HYROX doesn’t ask you to master technical movements or complex Olympic lifts,” Edmund adds. “You focus on general strength, functional fitness, and a lot of running.”
Justin Hernandez, one of the gym’s leading coaches, lays out a typical training week for HYROX hopefuls: functional bodybuilding, strength circuits, and three to four running sessions. At Gold’s Gym x Metcon, they advocate for the GRIN method to prep HYROX participants.
“Easy runs, threshold runs, and one long run a week,” Justin says. “If you can run, you can do HYROX.”
With eight kilometers of running making up half the race, runners tend to excel. This is fitting, given the global and local running booms.
A Filipino Community on the Global Stage
This past May, a sizable Filipino contingent participated in the HYROX championships in Bangkok. Among them was Junia Conde, a CrossFit veteran who competed in the Mixed Doubles division.
“People just want to compete and have fun,” she says. “There’s no pressure, especially compared to the intensity of CrossFit.” The flexibility in Doubles events—where partners can divide the work however they choose—adds to the approachable nature of the competition.
More than just a race, HYROX has become a lifestyle event. Many participants turn it into a “racecation,” traveling with friends or family who also compete or come along to support. Unlike a marathon or triathlon, where spectators might catch just a fleeting glimpse of an athlete, HYROX is entirely indoor and centralized, often held in massive exhibition halls. This makes it easier for fans to cheer on athletes from the first run to the final wall ball rep. In fact, this high-energy environment, complete with DJs, crowds, and live emcees, transforms even first-timers into literal rockstars, true to the HYROX name’s origin: “hybrid” + “rockstar.”
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A Fitness Goldmine: Why Gyms are Getting Involved
With popularity comes opportunity. Many gyms, particularly in the Philippines, are now pivoting to incorporate HYROX training into their offerings. For Edmund, the business upside is clear. “If people are willing to spend on a racecation, that’s a higher demographic,” he notes. The barrier to becoming a HYROX affiliate is lower than other branded fitness affiliations like CrossFit, making it a more feasible option for local gyms.
What makes HYROX even more gym-friendly is that its training requirements don’t demand specialized equipment. Most traditional gyms already have the gear needed—sleds, rowers, dumbbells, and such—and athletes only need to focus on race-specific simulation training about a month before competition. That accessibility translates into high participation rates.
To put into context how popular and how much of a money-making machine HYROX is, the recent Bangkok race sold out almost instantly, prompting organizers to add extra days to accommodate more than 10,000 participants. With a rough $200 entry fee per person—plus travel, lodging, and training expenses (not even including the spectators)—one can only imagine the upside to HYROX economy.
Ready to Race? How to Get Started
One of HYROX’s biggest draws is how beginner-friendly it is. It’s not just for elite athletes or fitness pros. Whether you come from a running background, CrossFit, weightlifting, or are just starting your gym journey, HYROX has a place for you.
“A lot of people are scared and intimidated at first,” Edmund says. “But it’s doable. You just have to try.”
