Okay—so let me start by saying: I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
When my friend messaged me saying, “You in for HYROX on Saturday?” I said yes before even Googling what Hyrox was. Spoiler alert: it’s intense. It’s sweaty. It’s slightly terrifying. But it’s also one of the most exhilarating workouts I’ve ever done.
So, let’s back up a second.
What Is Hyrox?
If you’re like me and had zero clue, Hyrox is essentially a global fitness racing event that combines functional strength training with endurance. Think of it as a mix between CrossFit, a Spartan Race, and a high-intensity cardio session—but indoors and with a stopwatch ticking the whole time.
The official Hyrox format includes 8 functional workout stations, each preceded by a 1-kilometer run. So it’s like:
🏃♂️ 1km run → workout station → repeat until death. (Okay, not death, but you get the picture.)
Each station is a different challenge—things like sled pushes, wall balls, burpee broad jumps, rowing, and farmer carries. Translation? Your whole body is going to feel it.
The Lead-Up
So, Saturday morning comes. I’m up early, sipping coffee and questioning all my life choices. I threw on some leggings, a tank top, and my favorite sneakers that have seen better days. As I laced them up, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of nerves and excitement. I love a challenge, but this felt next level.
I met up with my friend at a local gym that recently started hosting Hyrox-style training sessions. The vibe was electric—people were stretching, pumping each other up, music was blaring, and everyone looked like they were ready to go to battle. I, on the other hand, was scanning the room wondering if it was too late to escape.
Spoiler: it was.
The Warm-Up
We started with a group warm-up led by the coach, who was one of those super motivating types—yelling just the right amount to make you want to move, but not so much that you want to hide in the locker room. We did some dynamic stretches, mobility work, and a short jog around the studio. Honestly, by the end of the warm-up, I was already sweating. Not a great sign.
Station 1: 1km Run
“Easy start,” I thought.
Wrong.
Running indoors on a loop is somehow more brutal than a treadmill. Your legs don’t get the rhythm, and there are turns every few seconds. But I managed to finish that first kilometer without dying, so yay me.
Station 2: Ski Erg – 1000m
I’ve seen the Ski Erg before, but I’d never used one. It mimics the movement of cross-country skiing—so basically pulling two handles down repeatedly while trying not to collapse. I kept thinking: This is a full-body move and I have seven more stations to go??
Station 3: 1km Run (Again)
This is the point where it hit me: Hyrox doesn’t stop.
There are no breaks. There’s no hiding. The clock’s always running. I trotted that second kilometer with heavy legs and a strong urge to cry. I didn’t cry though. Small wins!
Station 4: Sled Push
Oh boy. This one’s famous in the Hyrox world. You basically push a heavy sled (think: a mini car on a platform) across a stretch of turf. The sound it makes is pure struggle. It screeches. You grunt. The whole gym looks over. But the worst part? When you finish and then they say: “Okay, now pull it back.”
Sled pull. Same idea, but backwards. And my hamstrings were screaming.
Station 5: Another 1km Run
This is the moment I seriously started negotiating with my body. “Just keep moving,” I told myself. “Don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop.” I shuffled along like an injured penguin, but I finished.
Station 6: Burpee Broad Jumps
If burpees weren’t bad enough, Hyrox added a twist: do a burpee, then jump forward. Over and over. My quads were on fire. I wanted to fake an injury. Instead, I kept jumping, landing with questionable form, but never quitting.
Station 7: Row 1000m
Finally, something I knew how to do! Rowing felt like a break—until it didn’t. Around 500 meters in, my legs were jelly and my arms had checked out. But I told myself I’d made it this far, I wasn’t quitting now.
Station 8: Farmers Carry
Two heavy kettlebells, one in each hand. Walk a set distance. Sounds simple, right? Until your grip strength gives out and your forearms are burning like lava. I stopped once to shake out my hands, then powered through.
Final Run + Wall Balls
Yep—one last 1km run. I dragged myself through it, sweat in my eyes, heart pounding like a drum. Then came the final station: Wall Balls.
You take a weighted ball (I had the lightest one, thank you very much), squat, and launch it up at a target. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. I think I blacked out for part of it. The coach was cheering, the music was wild, and I just kept squatting and throwing until they told me I was done.
DONE. I SURVIVED.
The second I finished, I collapsed on a mat and stared at the ceiling. I was drenched. Exhausted. Totally gassed. And somehow, incredibly proud.
So… Will I Do It Again?
Honestly?
YES.
Hyrox is one of those things that pushes every limit—physical and mental. It’s grueling, but it’s also addictive. The structure of the workout, the energy of the group, the feeling of finishing something so hard—it’s kind of magical. There’s something empowering about seeing what your body is capable of when you stop doubting and just GO.
It doesn’t matter if you’re the fastest or the strongest. What matters is that you show up and give it your all. And for my first time? I did just that.
So yeah—we’re doing a Hyrox. And now that I’ve had my first taste, I’m already looking forward to round two.
If you’ve ever thought about trying it: DO IT.
It’ll hurt. You’ll sweat. You might even curse a little.
But I promise—it’s 100% worth it.
