{"id":198643,"date":"2025-06-20T01:51:26","date_gmt":"2025-06-20T01:51:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/198643\/"},"modified":"2025-06-20T01:51:26","modified_gmt":"2025-06-20T01:51:26","slug":"i-did-my-first-hyrox-with-no-training-what-i-wish-i-knew","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/198643\/","title":{"rendered":"‘I did my first Hyrox with no training \u2014 what I wish I knew’"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019m dragging a sled across an arena floor in Berlin, wondering if I\u2019ve made a terrible mistake. To be fair, signing up for my first Hyrox competition<\/a> without doing a single session of hybrid-specific training was always going to be a bold move. But hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? <\/p>\n

First launched in Hamburg, Germany, in 2017, Hyrox is now the fastest-growing fitness racing event in the world, with events taking place in more than 30 cities across 11 countries. The format is simple in theory but brutal in practice: competitors run a total of eight kilometres, split into one-kilometre intervals, with a functional workout station between each. These stations are the same at every event and feature a greatest-hits line-up of strength exercises<\/a>, including broad-jump burpees, weighted lunges<\/a> and those aforementioned sled pulls.<\/p>\n

\"hyrox<\/p>\n

HYROX<\/p>\n

If that all sounds pretty intimidating, the reason why Hyrox has taken off is precisely down to its accessibility. There are no qualifying times, no cut-offs and no complicated movements to master. Weights are adjusted for men and women, and you don\u2019t need a background in CrossFit or competitive running to get involved.<\/p>\n

You also don\u2019t have to go it alone. While racing solo is seen as the ultimate test of fitness, there are doubles and relay options too, available in same-sex or mixed teams.<\/p>\n

I was strong-armed into entering my first doubles race by my friend, Lucy, who swore it was \u2018basically just a running race\u2019. But while we may share identical marathon PBs, Lucy had 12 Hyrox events under her belt. I had precisely none. <\/p>\n

I\u2019d love to say this kickstarted a dedicated training block of Hyrox-specific training, but I was a little preoccupied with the 100km ultramarathon<\/a> I was running the following month. Wall balls and sled pushes? Not top of my priority list.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s not to say I\u2019m a stranger to strength work. I hit the gym twice a week, though that\u2019s very much running-specific, injury-prevention<\/a> stuff. Think deadlifts<\/a>, single-leg squats<\/a> and pogo jumps. Helpful? Yes. Hyrox prep? Not quite.<\/p>\n

\"Puma<\/a>\"Puma<\/a>Puma x Hyrox Ultraspun Cropped Tank Top\"Puma<\/a>Puma x Hyrox Ultraweave Velocity 4″ Shorts<\/p>\n

Now 25% Off<\/p>\n

Reality check<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t until the 10-second countdown that I started to see the error of my ways. I\u2019ve been running for years, and start lines usually bring a buzz of excitement \u2013 a few nerves, sure, but never fear. This felt different. I wasn\u2019t in control. I didn\u2019t know what to expect. And I definitely wasn\u2019t ready.<\/p>\n

Then, we were off. Straight away, it was clear that we were among the strongest runners in our group, cruising into the first station \u2013 the skiERG \u2013 in second place. That early confidence boost was welcome, but short-lived.<\/p>\n

\n

\u2018start lines usually bring a buzz of excitement \u2013 a few nerves, sure, but never fear\u2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Our plan had been to divide the stations fairly evenly, tagging out before either of us started to suffer. Turns out, those pesky sled pulls are harder than they look, and I found myself relying on Lucy more than I had planned.<\/p>\n

\u2018What on earth have you got yourself into?\u2019 asked the voice in my head as we headed out of the second station for our third run. \u2018You\u2019re not cut out for this.\u2019<\/p>\n

\"a<\/p>\n

Hyrox x Ali Ball<\/p>\n

Digging deep<\/p>\n

If I was going to make it through the next hour or so, I knew I had to shut that voice down. Looking around, I saw women of all shapes and sizes urging each other on, more focused on their own races than anyone else\u2019s. And suddenly, the high-octane, testosterone-fuelled mirage of Hyrox I\u2019d built up in my head began to crack. Maybe I could do this. I just needed to stop overthinking and start moving.<\/p>\n

\u2018Come on Luce,\u2019 I yelled, as we approached station four \u2013 broad-jump burpees. From that point, time sped up. It was onto the 1000m row, which we broke down into four manageable 250m bursts. Then it was the farmer\u2019s carry, followed by the sandbag lunges. <\/p>\n

\"group<\/p>\n

Hyrox x Ali Ball<\/p>\n

And then, finally, station eight: the infamous wall balls. By this point, I had absolutely no idea how long we\u2019d been going for. I was too focused on not messing up the exercises to care about the clock.<\/p>\n

\u201898\u202699\u2026100,\u2019 counted the judge on the wall balls. We were almost done. Now it was just a final sprint to the finish. I looked up at the scoreboard, unsure what to expect: 1:06. I couldn\u2019t believe it. The average women\u2019s doubles time, I\u2019d been told, was 1:28; anything below 1-hour was deemed \u2018elite\u2019. Not bad for a first attempt.<\/p>\n

\"two<\/p>\n

Hyrox x Ali Ball<\/p>\n

New perspective<\/p>\n

In hindsight, I think Lucy was right: Hyrox is, to an extent, a running race. If you\u2019ve got a decent 5K<\/a> or 10K time<\/a> and a solid base of strength work, you\u2019ll be absolutely fine \u2013 even if imposter syndrome tells you otherwise. It was also pretty clear who came from a running background versus a strength one: runners made up time on the laps; lifters clawed it back on the stations. But what surprised me was how balanced it felt. You didn\u2019t really need to be exceptional at either \u2013 you just had to keep moving. <\/p>\n

Worth trying for yourself? If you want a challenge that pushes you out of your comfort zone \u2013 physically and mentally \u2013 then absolutely. And while I won\u2019t be trading ultramarathons for wall balls anytime soon, I left Berlin with more than just lactic acid in my legs. I had proof that you don\u2019t always need to feel \u2018ready\u2019 to do hard things.<\/p>\n

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