Lauren Weeks no Stockholm Major HYROX
“Mara-cations”, addiction, pub substitutes. The costs are “astronomical”, but it doesn’t hurt for those who have their physique as a priority.
O Hyrox It’s a fitness craze that shows no sign of slowing down any time soon, with 1.3 million people lined up to compete in events around the world this year.
The competition, which alternates between running and fitness exercises, has proven particularly popular among younger millennials and Generation Z. Its rapid rise in popularity has been attributed to social media.
Hyrox, whose first competition took place in 2021, has a gender division close to 50% men and 50% women. The competition consists of eight one-kilometer runs, interspersed with exercises such as burpees with a long jump, pulling a sled and rowing. Participants can compete solo or in pairs, in mixed or same-sex teams.
“Astronomical” costs, “cultural change”
A well-groomed look is often non-negotiable for those who compete, with many opting for high-end fitness brands or coordinating their looks with teammates.
Allana Falconer, who works in the area of sustainability and started competing in 2023, says she “fell in love” with Hyrox. He has participated in 20 different competitions, in six countries and 12 cities.
“My holidays revolve around Hyrox, or I fit events into trips,” he told the BBC. The 29-year-old says that the most she has spent so far was 2,000 pounds (around 2,300 euros), when she traveled to Chicago, in the United States, for the World Cup, last year.
“For competitions outside the country, I normally spend around £400 (460 euros) per trip, for two nights’ accommodation and transport, and £120 (138 euros) for registration,” he adds. As he competes very frequently, he says he also needs a lot of training accessories: he uses “an absurd amount of shoes”.
Evgenia Koroleva, founder of the ONE LDN gym in London, says that for those who take competition seriously, “the costs can be absolutely astronomical”.
“Hyrox created this addiction in people because they never compete just once. When they finish the first race, they sign up for another and, as the route is the same, this creates a level of competition with themselves.” The cost of participation is higher than that of a marathon, and some people have criticized this.
“Traveling abroad, plus the costs involved to basically run around a bit and get out of breath, is too much for me,” said one former participant on Reddit.
Fran Sirl, personal trainer and owner of Parkfit, which runs outdoor fitness classes in London’s Richmond Park, says sports like this can seem intimidating and says she always reminds her clients that you don’t need special equipment or accessories to get in shape.
“I take groups to train in the park. Sometimes we start with a walk and then add squats and push-ups using a bench. Exercising doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. It’s about finding something that makes you want to come back and do it again, whether it’s a high-intensity workout or just a walk.”
Most athletes the BBC spoke to believe Hyrox’s prices are fair, taking into account the costs of renting space for a major event, specialist equipment and a team of referees. Evgenia says that the fact that people are willing to pay so much money reflects a “cultural change” wider impact on how people in their 20s and 30s spend money on exercise.
“Exercise is non-negotiable and is part of their identity”, he adds. Spending money on exercise is a priority for those born between 1997 and 2012 (Generation Z), according to the Strava exercise app.
Data indicates that a third plan to spend more on physical activity this year, and almost two-thirds say they would rather spend money on new workout clothes than on a romantic date. The calls “mara-cations” (marathon-oriented holidays) and Hyrox holidays have become so popular that some travel agencies now offer customized packages abroad for competitions.
In the United Kingdom, Hyrox competitions usually sell out very quickly, which means that many people interested in participating end up traveling to other countries.
“Addictive”
Florence Kinnafick, a senior researcher at Loughborough University specializing in physical activity and mental health, says the variety of modalities can make competition “addictive”.
“The emphasis on competition is not appealing to everyone,” he says. But be aware of the risk of overtrainingif people become “obsessed” with improving their times.
As for the exercises themselves, he says that, despite being a demanding competition, there is nothing “particularly technical”, which makes it safe for beginners.
“I got the taste”
Jorell Hill, who has participated in 10 competitions so far, says he has “definitely gotten the hang of it”.
“I did my first [Hyrox] in December 2024, and since then I haven’t had a single international trip that wasn’t to run a half marathon, a marathon or a Hyrox.”
The 27-year-old, who balances training with his work as a firefighter, says that his life “previously revolved around going out, meeting friends, going to the pub and drinking a lot”, but now almost all of his holidays involve “fitness retreats” and competitions. He has already traveled to “six or seven different countries” to compete and hopes to compete in races in the United States and even more distant destinations this year.
Jorell, who moved to London just over a year ago, has made most of his friends through fitness. “Instead of spending money on clothes to go out, I’m just buying new workout gear,” he says.
